Single-Piece Suction Conveyor for Flat Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction conveyor devices in the paper processing industry face issues with increased friction and wear on conveyor belts due to low pressure, leading to higher energy consumption and potential damage to flat items during transport, especially when handling items of different formats.

Innovation Solution

A suction conveyor device featuring a continuously circulating, single-piece flexible conveying means with lateral edges spaced apart to cover the entire transport path width, eliminating the need for discrete conveyor belts and providing uniform low-pressure support to flat items, thus reducing friction and the risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If discrete conveyor belts are used to cover the transport path, then the conveying means can be adjusted to different formats, but the friction and wear on the conveyor belts increase due to low pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to different formatsVSAvoidfriction and wear on conveyor belts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single-piece flexible conveying means is divided into multiple discrete conveyor belts that can be independently adjusted. Each conveyor belt can be positioned to match different item formats while maintaining adequate spacing to reduce friction and wear under low pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conveyor belts are spaced apart to reduce friction, then wear on the belts decreases, but the stability and support for flat items during transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear on conveyor beltsVSAvoidsupport for flat items

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple discrete conveyor belts are merged into a coordinated system where they work together to provide stable support. The belts operate in synchronization with proper spacing, collectively maintaining item stability while reducing individual belt friction and wear through optimized positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If multiple discrete conveyor belts are used, then the conveying means can be replaced individually, but the assembly complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual replacement of conveyor beltsVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system is segmented into modular discrete conveyor belts that can be independently replaced. Each belt is designed as a standalone component with standardized interfaces, simplifying replacement procedures while the overall assembly uses a coordinated configuration to minimize complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If low pressure is applied to hold flat items, then the items are securely fixed to the conveyor belts, but the friction and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing of flat items to conveyor beltsVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Low pressure is applied locally at specific contact points between the conveyor belts and flat items rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized pressure application secures items effectively while minimizing overall friction and energy consumption during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution ensures reliable, stable, and hazard-free transport of flat items by minimizing friction and assembly complexity, while allowing for efficient handling of items in various formats without the need for adjusting conveyor belts, thereby reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of conveyor components.

Implementation Method 1

a suction arrangement (52) having a suction side (52a) on which a low pressure is generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

This additional influence of the low pressure leads to increased frictional engagement of the flat items with the conveyor belts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11279583B2Suction conveyor device for transporting flat items, and system for producing flat items comprising said type of suction conveyor

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 BW PAPERSYSTEMS HAMBURG GMBH

AI summary

A suction conveyor device comprising a suction arrangement having a suction side on which low pressure is generated, continuously rotating flexible conveying means made of flexible flat material having holes, an inner side enabling the conveying means to move along the suction side, and an outer side for receiving flat items in the active area of the suction side, where the conveying means moves in the transporting direction, the suction arrangement and the conveyor means designed with a transport path width in the active range perpendicular to the transporting direction. The conveying means includes continuously circulating individual, single-piece, flexible conveying means, both lateral edges thereof extending in the transporting direction at a distance from each other being at least the same as the total width of the transport path such that the individual, single-piece flexible conveyor means extend over the total width of the transport path.