Sheet Workpiece Pickup Detection at Zero-Velocity Lift Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece conveying systems face challenges in detecting double workpieces and maintaining high-speed conveyance, as they require stopping the conveyance process to detect double workpieces, which disrupts the normal operation and leads to potential errors in conveying to the next step.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece conveying system that includes a conveyed workpiece state detector, which uses a workpiece stopper and detectors to determine the number and posture of workpieces at a specific timing when the moving speed component in the raising direction is 0, allowing for continuous high-speed conveyance without reducing the system's efficiency or accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the workpiece conveying system stops the conveyance process to detect double workpieces, then the detection accuracy improves, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection at a predetermined position before the workpiece reaches the conveying destination. By detecting double workpieces at an earlier stage (at the upper limit position of raising), the system avoids last-minute detection that would require stopping the conveyance process, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection operation is integrated into the normal conveying process without requiring separate stopping or additional time. The conveyed workpiece number detector operates continuously during the raising motion, detecting workpieces at the upper limit position where the moving speed component becomes 0, thus maintaining continuous conveyance while performing detection.
2Productivity
If the workpiece conveying system operates at high speed, then the productivity improves, but the detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects workpieces at the upper limit position of raising, which occurs before the workpiece is conveyed to the final destination. This preliminary detection at a specific phase of the conveying cycle allows high-speed operation to continue uninterrupted while still achieving accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the moment when the moving speed component in the raising direction becomes 0 (at the upper limit position) as the detection timing. By selecting this specific parameter state (zero velocity moment during cyclic motion), the system achieves detection precision without requiring overall reduction of conveyance speed.
3Productivity
If the detection process is integrated into normal conveying operation, then the productivity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece conveying system's raising mechanism serves dual purposes: both conveying workpieces to the destination and providing the detection timing point at the upper limit position. The existing cyclic motion of the conveying device is utilized to create the detection opportunity, avoiding the need for separate detection machinery and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system itself provides the detection function by utilizing its own operational characteristics (the upper limit position where velocity becomes 0). The system detects workpieces during its normal operation without requiring external assistance or additional complex detection mechanisms, making the detection process self-contained within the existing conveying framework.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and accurate detection of double workpieces and posture without reducing conveyance speed, preventing errors and maintaining high-speed operation by integrating the detection process into the normal conveying operation, thus simplifying the system and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a workpiece conveyor configured to lift through attraction (adsorption, or adhesion) holding, by a workpiece holding unit, an uppermost workpiece of a stack stacking a plurality of workpieces
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a workpiece conveying system configured to convey a sheet-like workpiece to a downstream step, including: a workpiece conveyor configured to lift through attraction holding, by a workpiece holding unit, an uppermost workpiece W of a stack, and convey the uppermost workpiece W of the stack to the downstream step one by one; and a conveyed workpiece number detector configured to detect the number of workpieces W held by the workpiece holding unit at a detection timing, at which the workpiece W held and raised by the workpiece holding unit in accordance with a normal workpiece conveying operation performed by the workpiece conveyor reaches an upper limit position of raising the workpiece W, and at which a moving speed component of the workpiece W in a raising direction is 0.