Sheet Stacker with Movable Platform for Continuous Bundle Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet stackers face inefficiencies in the transient phase of removing formed stacks from the stacking bay, leading to slowed production rates due to the need for large gaps in the sheet flow, which is difficult to manage and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A sheet stacker with a vertically movable stacker platform and a stack conveyor that performs a reciprocating staggering motion, synchronized with a stop plate's vertical movement, allows for efficient formation and evacuation of staggered bundles by moving the stack downwards onto an evacuation conveyor, reducing the time required for stack removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a stationary stacker platform is used with a reciprocating sheet discharge end to form staggered bundles, then the stacking operation can be performed, but the transient phase for removing formed stacks is time-consuming and requires large gaps in sheet flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction rateVSAvoidtransient phase time for stack removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stacker platform is made movable in the vertical direction, transitioning from a stationary position to a dynamic one. The platform moves downward to discharge the formed stack onto the discharge conveyor and then returns to its initial position, enabling continuous operation without time-consuming manual intervention or complex reciprocating motion of the entire stacking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the sheet discharge end reciprocatingly as in conventional stackers, this invention inverts the approach by moving the stacker platform vertically. The stack is formed on the movable platform and then discharged by moving the platform downward, reversing the traditional motion paradigm and simplifying the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If the sheet discharge end moves reciprocatingly to achieve correct staggering, then adjacent bundles can be staggered properly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaggering precision of adjacent bundlesVSAvoidcomplexity of reciprocating motion mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by keeping the sheet discharge end stationary and instead moving the stacker platform vertically. The reciprocating staggering motion is achieved by moving the platform downward to discharge the stack and then returning it to the initial position, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The stacker platform is made dynamically movable in the vertical direction, allowing it to transition between the stacking position and the discharge position. This dynamic capability enables precise control of the staggering process without requiring complex reciprocating mechanisms at the sheet discharge end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a large gap is formed in the sheet flow to allow stack removal, then the stack can be evacuated, but the production rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemean production rateVSAvoidgap size in sheet flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The stacker platform is lowered to the discharge position before the stack formation is completely finished. This preliminary action allows the stack to be gradually discharged during the formation of the next stack, eliminating the need to wait for complete stack formation before starting removal, thus minimizing gaps in sheet flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The downward movement of the stacker platform and the formation of the next stack occur simultaneously and continuously. The platform moves down to discharge the completed stack while the next stack is being formed on the same platform, ensuring continuous operation without interruption or large gaps in the sheet flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10287113B2Sheet stacker and method for forming stacks of sheets

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 GUANGDONG FOSBER INTELLIGENT EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet stacker including a sheet conveyor arrangement and a stacking bay, wherein sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement are formed into stacks; the stacking bay including a stacker platform. The stacker platform is provided with a vertical lifting and lowering movement with respect to a stationary supporting structure and is controlled to move downwards while a stack of sheets is formed thereon. The stacker platform supports a stack conveyor configured and controlled to perform at least an evacuation motion, to remove a completed stack from the stacking bay. The evacuation motion of the stack conveyor is oriented such that a completed stack is moved from the stacking bay onto an evacuation conveyor arranged under the sheet conveyor arrangement.