Slatted Support Surface for Flat, Low-Marking Sheet Handling
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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 deposition marks.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising multiple slats arranged on a basic component with two types of slots and slats, forming a grid-like structure that minimizes contact area and prevents bending, with connection tongues and slots allowing for easy assembly without tools and ensuring precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
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 support surface is segmented into multiple discrete slats arranged in a grid pattern, replacing a continuous support surface. This segmentation reduces the total contact area between the support device and packaging material, minimizing fume trapping while maintaining adequate support through the distributed slat structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If slats are spaced apart to reduce contact area, then fume deposition is reduced, but the packaging material may bend or kink
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple slats arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous small support points distributed across the surface. This segmentation provides frequent support along the length and width of the packaging material, preventing bending or kinking while maintaining small individual contact areas that reduce fume trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The slats are arranged in a two-dimensional grid pattern rather than single rows, adding spatial distribution in both length and width directions. This dimensional approach ensures comprehensive support coverage across the entire packaging material surface, preventing deformation while maintaining minimal contact area at each support point.
3Ease of manufacture
If tool-free assembly is implemented using tongues and slots, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection tongues and slots are designed to self-align and self-assemble without external tools. The geometric features guide the slats into proper positioning during assembly, and the two types of slots with corresponding slats create a self-correcting system that ensures correct orientation and fit, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
Two different types of slots are provided on the basic component, each designed to receive specific types of slats. This asymmetric design prevents incorrect assembly and ensures proper positioning, as each slot type has unique dimensional characteristics that match only its corresponding slat type, thereby controlling precision through form-fit compatibility.
4Measurement precision
If two types of slots and slats are used for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two types of slots with distinct geometric characteristics are provided on the basic component, each designed to receive specific types of slats. This asymmetric design enables precise positioning and correct orientation of slats while maintaining a simple overall structure. The complexity is minimized by using only two types rather than multiple variations, and the positioning accuracy is achieved through the form-fit compatibility of each slot type with its corresponding slat type.
Data Source
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.