Segmented Feed Carrier for Cuboid Sheet Stack Pairing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices face challenges in efficiently feeding cuboid stacks to further processing stations, particularly in separating and conveying stacks in pairs to maximize processing cycles, due to limitations in stack handling and alignment for efficient processing.

Innovation Solution

A feed carrier with a subdivided structure, featuring a first section for accommodating two adjacent stacks and a movable second section that allows for the separation and individual conveyance of stacks along a straight path, enabling pairs of stacks to be fed to the processing station efficiently by using conveying means to push and move the stacks apart for processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If stacks are fed individually to the further processing station, then the processing station can handle each stack separately, but the processing capacity is limited and fewer stacks can be processed per unit time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidstack handling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed carrier is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently moved. This segmentation allows different stacks to be positioned and conveyed independently, enabling the system to handle multiple stacks in sequence without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire feeding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed carrier sections are made movable rather than fixed. The second section can be moved away from the first and third sections to create space for the second conveying means to insert, and then moved back to transfer stacks. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure during operation to achieve pair feeding while maintaining individual stack handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the feed carrier structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity decreases, but the ability to separate and convey stacks in pairs efficiently is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of processing cyclesVSAvoidfeed carrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed carrier is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently moved. This segmentation allows different stacks to be positioned and conveyed independently, enabling the system to handle multiple stacks in sequence without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire feeding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed carrier sections are made movable rather than fixed. The second section can be moved away from the first and third sections to create space for the second conveying means to insert, and then moved back to transfer stacks. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure during operation to achieve pair feeding while maintaining individual stack handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If conveying means are positioned to handle stacks efficiently, then stack alignment and conveyance improve, but the space required for conveying means insertion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack alignmentVSAvoidconveying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed carrier sections are made movable rather than fixed. The second section can be moved away from the first and third sections to create space for the second conveying means to insert, and then moved back to transfer stacks. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure during operation to achieve pair feeding while maintaining individual stack handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable second section is positioned in advance to create the necessary space for the second conveying means to be inserted between the stacks. This preliminary positioning ensures that the conveying means can be properly inserted before the actual conveying action begins, maintaining both alignment precision and conveying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2660176B1Device for feeding cuboid stacks of single sheets to a processing unit

Publication Date: 2014.10.22 ADOLF MOHR MASCHFAB GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9

AI summary

The device (1) has first portion (5) and third portion (7) between which second portion (6) is moved back and forth. A main conveying unit (16) is set for feeding front stack (13) and rear stack (14) to first portion along conveying direction. The load of first portion is moved to second portion. The front and rear stacks are retracted for processing station (2). An auxiliary conveying unit (22) is provided for feeding front stack and rear stack from first portion to second portion.