Spring feeding device, apparatus for forming a string of pocket springs, and method of feeding springs

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spring feeding devices for producing pocket springs have long cycle times due to the pusher advancing the spring through a stationary channel, which affects the efficiency of forming strings of pocket springs for furniture.

Innovation Solution

A spring feeding device where both the feeding member and pusher are concurrently displaced in opposite directions, reducing the travel path of the pusher by half and enabling efficient operation with shorter cycle times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stationary channel is used with a pusher advancing the spring, then the spring can be fed reliably, but the cycle time becomes long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring feeding reliabilityVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is transformed from a stationary structure to a dynamic one that can move relative to the pusher. The channel is displaceably mounted on the frame and can be moved by the channel moving mechanism, allowing the channel to dynamically adjust its position during the spring feeding process to reduce the pusher's travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving only the pusher through a stationary channel, the invention inverts the approach by moving the channel itself relative to the pusher. The channel moving mechanism displaces the channel in the opposite direction to the pusher's movement, effectively reducing the relative travel path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a stationary channel is used with a pusher advancing the spring, then the spring can be fed reliably, but the construction space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring feeding reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is transformed from a stationary structure to a dynamic one that can move relative to the pusher. The channel is displaceably mounted on the frame and can be moved by the channel moving mechanism, allowing the channel to dynamically adjust its position during the spring feeding process to reduce the pusher's travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving only the pusher through a stationary channel, the invention inverts the approach by moving the channel itself relative to the pusher. The channel moving mechanism displaces the channel in the opposite direction to the pusher's movement, effectively reducing the relative travel path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the pusher travels the full length of the spring feed distance, then the spring can be advanced completely, but the cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring advancement completenessVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is transformed from a stationary structure to a dynamic one that can move relative to the pusher. The channel is displaceably mounted on the frame and can be moved by the channel moving mechanism, allowing the channel to dynamically adjust its position during the spring feeding process to reduce the pusher's travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving only the pusher through a stationary channel, the invention inverts the approach by moving the channel itself relative to the pusher. The channel moving mechanism displaces the channel in the opposite direction to the pusher's movement, effectively reducing the relative travel path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11066293B2Spring feeding device, apparatus for forming a string of pocket springs, and method of feeding springs

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 SPUHL GMBH

AI summary

A spring feeding device configured to feed a spring (9) comprises a feeding member (60) delimiting a channel (68), a pusher (70) configured to push the spring (9) along the channel (68) delimited by the feeding member (60), and a drive mechanism con-figured to displace both the feeding member (60) and the pusher (70) such that the feeding member (60) and the pusher (70) move in opposite directions (91, 92).