Sheet Transport Suction Bars with Inverted Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting foils from a stack to a laying area face challenges in flexibility to handle varying foil rigidity, high-speed separation, and contamination due to air flow direction, leading to adhesive issues and pollution.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first suction bar for lifting foils from the stack, an intermediate table for supporting and transporting foils, and a second suction bar for depositing them, utilizing air flow directionally to prevent contamination and facilitate gentle, efficient transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is blown under the film in the direction of the laying area to separate the film from the stack, then film separation is achieved, but contamination of the laying area or substrates occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the direction of air flow for film separation. Instead of blowing air toward the laying area (which causes contamination), air is blown in the opposite direction - away from the laying area and toward the film stack. This reversal achieves the same film separation function while eliminating the harmful contamination effect.
2Reliability
If the film is pressed onto the stack at the beginning of the pick-up process, then the film is secured for lifting, but adhesive contact issues occur with varying foil rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic principles by making the suction bar's suction force adjustable and controllable. The suction force can be dynamically adapted to match different foil rigidities, allowing reliable film pickup whether the foil is flexible or rigid. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between secure pickup and adaptability to varying material properties.
3Productivity
If high-speed film separation is implemented, then productivity increases, but film damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs beforehand cushioning by providing an intermediate table that bridges the area between the film stack and the laying station. This intermediate table acts as a cushioning support that allows high-speed film separation while preventing film damage during transport. The table provides a controlled transition zone that protects the film from mechanical stress.
4Productivity
If the first suction bar lifts the film from the stack, then film separation is achieved, but the film may stick to subsequent films
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by lifting the film from the side where it will be taken over (the leading edge in transport direction), rather than from the opposite side. This inversion prevents adhesive contact with subsequent films because the lifted film's trailing edge moves away from the stack first, eliminating the sticking problem while maintaining efficient separation.
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 flexible handling of foils with varying rigidity, prevents adhesive contact with the stack, directs air flow to avoid contamination, and optimizes air usage for separation, allowing for high-speed and gentle transport.
Implementation Method 1
a first suction bar with a drive for lifting a film from the film stack by means of suckers, and a second suction bar with a drive for transporting a film in the transport direction to Place, sucker for fixing the film to the suction strips
Implementation Method 2
Another disadvantage is that the air for blowing under is directed in the direction of the laying area and thus leads to contamination of the laying area or the substrates lying there
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting sheets, comprising - a storage location (10) for accommodating a sheet stack (2) made up of a multiplicity of sheets (1), - a set-down location (12) for setting down a sheet (1) from the sheet stack (2), - a first suction bar (3) with a drive for raising a sheet (1) from the sheet stack (2) by means of suckers (5) and - a second suction bar (6) with a drive for transporting a sheet (1) in the transporting direction (9) to the set-down location (12), - suckers (5, 8) for fixing the sheet (1) on the suction bars (3, 6), and - an intermediate table (13) between the storage location (10) and set-down location (12). The invention consists substantially in that - the first suction bar (3) is suitable for raising up the sheet (1) from the sheet stack (2) substantially in a predetermined region (17) on the edge oriented in the transporting direction (9), - the intermediate table (13), with a drive, is suitable for moving beneath the raised sheet (1) at least in the region (17), - the second suction bar (6) is suitable for receiving the sheet (1) substantially in this region (17) and for transporting it to the set-down location (12) and setting it down there. The invention further relates to a method for transporting sheets.