Slatted Support Surface for Flat Sheet Handling and Fume Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for packaging materials in conveyor belt assemblies fail to provide precise positioning and flat support, leading to bending or kinking of sheets, and trap fumes from laser cutting processes, causing undesirable fume deposition marks.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising multiple slats arranged on a basic component in an upright, parallel manner, with two types of slots and slats to form a grid-like structure, minimizing contact area and using connection tongues and slots for secure assembly without tools, and incorporating teeth for reduced contact points to prevent bending and fume trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous support surface is used, then the packaging material is well supported, but the contact area is large which traps fumes and causes deposition marks
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous support surface is divided into multiple discrete slats arranged in parallel. This segmentation reduces the total contact area between the support device and the packaging material, allowing fumes to pass through the gaps rather than being trapped, thereby preventing fume deposition marks while still providing adequate support.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If slats are spaced apart to reduce contact area, then fume trapping is reduced, but the packaging material may bend or kink between the slats
Solution Approach 1:
The slats are equipped with protruding elements (teeth or ridges) that create localized contact points with the packaging material. These local contact points are strategically positioned to provide sufficient support and prevent bending or kinking, while the overall sparse arrangement of slats maintains large gaps for fume passage.
3Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used for mounting slats, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly is complex and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The slats incorporate connection tongues with positioning elements that engage with corresponding slots in the support device. The positioning elements (such as ribs or protrusions) guide the slats into correct alignment during assembly, enabling tool-free installation while ensuring secure and reliable attachment. The design allows workers to simply snap the slats into place without requiring additional tools or complex procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A Support device (14) for storing or transporting single sheets or stacks of a packaging material is described. It comprises a multitude of slats (32) being arranged on a basic component (34), wherein the slats (32) are in an upright position and spaced from each other in a generally parallel manner such that respective side contour contact sections (36) of the slats (32) form a substantially flat support surface configured to support the single sheets or stacks. Each slat (32) is mounted on the basic component (34) via two connection tongues (52) being arranged on opposite ends of the slat (32), the connection tongues (52) engaging corresponding connection slots (54) being provided on the basic component (34) ), wherein two types of slots (54) are provided on the basic component (34), wherein a first type of slots (54) is arranged closer to a basic surface of the basic component (34) than a second type of slots (54), and wherein two types of slats (32) are provided, wherein a first type of slats (32) is engageable with connection slots (54) of the first type, but not with connection slots (54) of the second type, and a second type of slats (32) is engageable with connection slots (54) of the second type, but not with connection slots (54) of the first type.