Single-Sheet Lifter Counterbalance for Damage-Free Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-sheet lifters face challenges in stably lifting the uppermost workpiece without damaging it, particularly when the workpiece is non-magnetic or has low rigidity, and the weight of the separation unit can cause impact damage.

Innovation Solution

A single-sheet lifter with a base frame and a separation unit that moves vertically, equipped with a contact member, a bellows type suction pad, and a counter balancer to reduce the weight acting on the separation unit, allowing for stable lifting using air injection pressure and suction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air separator is used to separate the uppermost workpiece, then the separation capability is improved, but the weight of the separation unit becomes large causing impact damage to workpieces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A counterweight mechanism is introduced to balance the weight of the separation unit. The counterweight reduces the effective weight acting on the separation unit during operation, thereby minimizing impact damage to workpieces while maintaining the separation capability provided by the air separator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If the separation unit is made heavy for stable operation, then the separation effectiveness is improved, but the workpiece may be scratched due to impact when the separation unit falls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidsurface scratching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight mechanism balances the separation unit's weight, reducing impact forces during descent and retraction, thereby preventing surface scratching while maintaining separation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The counterweight system acts as a pre-established cushioning mechanism that reduces impact forces before they can damage the workpiece surface, allowing the separation unit to operate effectively without causing scratches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the workpiece suction lifter lifts the uppermost workpiece directly, then the lifting operation is simplified, but the vicinity of the edge of the workpiece may be deflected and plastically deformed when the workpiece rigidity is small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting operation complexityVSAvoidworkpiece deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separation unit acts as an intermediary device between the workpiece suction lifter and the workpiece. It provides controlled air injection and suction forces that enable edge lifting without direct mechanical contact from the suction lifter, thereby preventing plastic deformation while maintaining lifting simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the separation unit retracts completely from above the loading area, then the lifting operation is completed, but the separation unit may cause damage when it falls due to its own weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting operation efficiencyVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight mechanism continuously balances the separation unit's weight throughout its motion cycle, including during retraction and return movements. This prevents impact damage when the separation unit falls or returns to position, while maintaining efficient lifting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 enables stable and damage-free lifting of the uppermost workpiece, regardless of its material or rigidity, by reducing the impact of the separation unit's weight and preventing deformation during lifting.

Implementation Method 1

a counter balancer configured to reduce a weight acting on the separation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCounterweight: Balance

Implementation Method 2

a bellows type suction pad for sucking a surface in a vicinity of an edge of the uppermost workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

a nozzle for injecting the air toward the edge of the uppermost workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4212464B1One-sheet picking device

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 AMADA CO LTD

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AI summary

A single-sheet lifter (10) includes a base frame (20) arranged in a vicinity of a loading area (TA) and extending vertically, a separation unit (26) configured to separate an uppermost workpiece (W) from a plurality of the workpieces (W) loaded in the loading area (TA) by means of at least one of an injection pressure of air and a suction force, and a counter balancer (52) configured to reduce a weight acting on the separation unit (26). The separation unit (26) is provided to the base frame (20) so as to be able to move up and down. The separation unit (26) includes a contact member (32) that comes into contact with a surface of the uppermost workpiece (W). The separation unit (26) is configured to go up following a lifting operation of a workpiece suction lifter (18) and be retracted from above the loading area (TA) when the workpiece suction lifter (18) sucks the surface of the uppermost workpiece (W) to lift the workpiece (W).