Sheet Stacking Structure With Closed-Wall Alignment and Noise Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking apparatuses cause surface scratching and noise due to aligning devices and require free perimetral areas, leading to reduced quality and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A stacking apparatus that positions and centers each sheet before dropping it, using laterally closed boxes with continuous walls to align and reduce noise by creating an air cushion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If aligning devices are used to align each sheet with the underlying stack, then alignment precision is improved, but surface scratching occurs reducing product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions and centers each sheet before dropping it onto the stack, performing the alignment action in advance. The laterally closed box structure with continuous walls guides the sheet into proper alignment during the dropping process itself, eliminating the need for subsequent aligning devices that would contact and scratch the sheet surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The laterally closed box structure acts as an intermediary between the sheet and the underlying stack. The continuous walls of this box guide and align the sheet during dropping without requiring direct contact between aligning devices and the sheet surface, thus preventing scratching while maintaining alignment precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If free perimetral area around the sheet stack is provided for aligning devices, then alignment capability is improved, but noise from falling sheets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful noise generated by falling sheets into a beneficial effect by allowing the sheets to fall into the laterally closed box structure. The enclosed space created by the continuous walls absorbs and dampens the impact noise, transforming the noisy open dropping area into a quiet enclosed stacking zone while maintaining alignment capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If stroke of aligning devices is reduced to limit scratching, then surface quality is improved, but ability to handle misalignment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The laterally closed box structure performs preliminary alignment of the sheet during the dropping process itself, before the sheet contacts the underlying stack. The continuous walls guide the sheet into proper position, allowing the system to handle significant misalignments from transport without requiring post-alignment operations that would scratch the surface.
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
Prevents surface scratching and significantly reduces noise during sheet stacking, maintaining quality and handling misalignments efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
the fact that the flat sheets are dropped into a sort of closed box creates an air cushion between the falling flat sheet and the underlying stack of flat sheets, which significantly reduces the noise level produced by the falling flat sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (10) for stacking flat sheets (S), such as flat metal sheets, to form sheet stacks is described, the apparatus (10) comprising a pair of modules (12) arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical centreline plane parallel to a feed direction (x). Each module (12) comprises a stationary support structure (14), a main movable unit (16) and a secondary movable unit (18), wherein the main movable unit (16) and the secondary movable unit (18) are both supported by the support structure (14) so as to be movable independently of each other in a transverse direction. The main movable unit (16) of each module (12) comprises a conveyor device (40) for transporting the sheet (S) to be stacked along the feed direction (x), and a vertical side wall (32), which is oriented parallel to the vertical centreline plane and is arranged laterally further inwards than the conveyor device (40). The secondary movable unit (18) of each module (12) comprises a lower side vertical wall (34) and an upper side vertical wall (36), which are oriented parallel to the vertical centreline plane and are arranged below and above the side vertical wall (32) of the main movable unit (16), respectively, and further comprises actuator means (38) associated with the upper vertical side wall (36) for controlling the movement of the latter in the transverse direction with respect to the lower vertical side wall (34) for centring and transversely aligning the sheet (S) supported by the main movable unit (16).