Sheet Transfer Device Using Vacuum Suction Belts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet transfer devices face challenges in efficiently deflecting sheets between conveyor units without causing overlaps or pressure marks, and in achieving high cycle numbers with space-saving designs.

Innovation Solution

The device employs infeed and outfeed conveyor units with suction belts that use vacuum technology to gently transport and release sheets, allowing for deflection between different levels and directions, with sensors for precise control and eccentric units for frequent lifting and lowering, enabling high-cycle sheet transfer without pressure marks or overlaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sheets are transferred between conveyor units at high speed, then productivity increases, but sheet overlaps and pressure marks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer cycle numberVSAvoidsheet overlaps and pressure marks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transfers sheets between different vertical levels using a transfer device positioned between an infeed conveyor unit and an outfeed conveyor unit. The sheet is lifted from the first level to the second level and then deflected at an angle (e.g., 90°, 180°, or 270°), utilizing the third dimension (vertical space) to enable high-speed transfer without sheet overlap while maintaining gentle handling to prevent pressure marks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the transfer device uses gentle handling methods, then sheet quality is maintained, but transfer speed and cycle number are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure marks on sheetVSAvoidtransfer cycle number
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer device employs suction belts with vacuum technology to gently hold and transport sheets. The suction belts apply uniform vacuum pressure to hold the sheet without creating localized pressure marks, while the eccentric unit enables rapid engagement and disengagement of the suction belts, achieving both gentle handling and high transfer cycle numbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device uses an eccentric unit that dynamically adjusts the position of suction belts through eccentric rotation. This dynamic mechanism allows the suction belts to be quickly engaged and disengaged from the sheet, enabling high-speed transfer cycles while maintaining gentle vacuum-based handling throughout the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If the device is designed to save space, then device footprint is reduced, but complexity of achieving high cycle numbers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidtransfer cycle number
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing vertical space and three-dimensional sheet deflection, the device achieves compact horizontal footprint while maintaining efficient transfer capabilities. The sheet is deflected at various angles (0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°) in three-dimensional space, allowing the transfer device to fit in a smaller footprint while achieving high transfer cycle numbers through optimized vertical and angular pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution allows for efficient, gentle, and precise sheet transfer with high cycle numbers, preventing overlaps and pressure marks, while enabling space-saving constructions with various deflection angles, such as 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°, facilitating simultaneous transfer of multiple sheets.

Implementation Method 1

The infeed conveyor unit has at least one infeed suction belt, with the infeed suction belt sucking in the sheet by means of a vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the outlet transport side has at least one outlet suction belt, the outlet suction belt sucking in the sheet during transfer to the outlet transport side by means of a vacuum associated with the outlet suction belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3763646B1Device and method for transferring sheets between conveyor units
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 MULLER APP
  • EP3763646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3763646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3763646B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device (1, 1') for transferring a sheet (4) from an inlet conveying unit (2) to an outlet conveying unit (3), wherein the sheet (4) is deflected from an inlet direction (5) to an outlet direction (6), wherein the inlet conveying unit (2) has an inlet transport side (7), wherein the sheet (4) is guided along the inlet transport side (7) towards the transfer, wherein the outlet conveying unit (3) has an outlet transport side (8), wherein the sheet (4) is guided away along the outlet transport side (8) after transfer, characterized in that the inlet transport side (7) is arranged facing the outlet transport side (8) in a planar manner, wherein a transfer area (9) is arranged between the inlet transport side (7) and the outlet transport side (8).