Sheet Transfer Suction Mechanism for Tension-Free Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet conveying systems subject sheets to tension when transferring them between conveyers with different speeds, leading to potential breakage and inefficiencies in spacing and stacking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where a suction mechanism transfers sheets in their entirety from a first conveyer to a second conveyer, positioned above or below, with overlapping regions to maintain alignment and speed matching, ensuring no tension is applied in the conveying direction, allowing for faster and uninterrupted transfer and stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are transferred between conveyers with different speeds to increase spacing, then productivity is improved, but sheets are subjected to tension causing breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A third conveyer is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second conveyers. This third conveyer receives sheets from the second conveyer and transfers them to the stacking position, acting as a mediator that allows the first and second conveyers to operate at different speeds without directly transferring sheets between them, thus preventing tension-induced breakage while maintaining increased spacing
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer process is segmented into multiple stages: first conveyer to second conveyer, then second conveyer to third conveyer, and finally third conveyer to stacking position. This segmentation allows each conveyer pair to have controlled speed relationships, with the third conveyer serving as a buffer that decouples the speed requirements of the upstream and downstream systems
2Reliability
If spacing between sheets is enlarged to prevent interference during stacking, then stacking reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third conveyer operates at a variable speed that is dynamically adjusted based on the stacking rate and the position of sheets. This allows the system to maintain optimal spacing for reliable stacking while minimizing idle time by accelerating the third conveyer when the stacker is ready to receive the next sheet, thus dynamically balancing reliability and time efficiency
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 sheet breakage and allows for increased spacing between sheets without tension, enabling efficient and uninterrupted stacking by maintaining sheet alignment and speed consistency during transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a suction mechanism disposed in the overlapping region of the second conveyer for transferring by suction the sheet in the entirety of the above dimension from the first conveyer to the second conveyer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for successively conveying a series of sheets are disclosed. The apparatus has a first conveyer for conveying a sheet in a sheet conveying direction at a first speed and a second conveyer disposed spaced vertically away from the first conveyer for conveying the sheet in the same direction at a second speed. The second conveyer has a region overlapping with the first conveyer at least for a distance corresponding to a dimension of the sheet, e.g. the width of veneer sheet, as measured in the sheet conveying direction. A suction mechanism is disposed in said overlapping region for transferring by suction the sheet in the entirety of its dimension from the first conveyer to the second conveyer and holding by suction the sheet against the second conveyer. The sheet is further moved by the second conveyer, e.g. to a sheet stacking station.