Product Stacking Device Merging Unit Stop Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product stacking devices face challenges in efficiently forming and managing product stacks of flatly arranged or shingled products during transportation, particularly in transitioning between these arrangements and achieving consistent stacking without interruption or product damage.

Innovation Solution

The product stacking device incorporates a merging unit with rotatable and translationally movable stop means, driven by a drive unit and controlled by a link control, to reduce the spacing between stack contact surfaces, allowing for continuous and flexible formation of horizontal or vertical product stacks, and is integrated into a delivery device for efficient packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional components are used to achieve consistent stacking without interruption, then stacking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking consistencyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stop means with the delivery device components (driver and counter holder) into a single integrated structure. The driver and counter holder serve dual functions as both delivery mechanism and stacking stop, eliminating the need for separate stacking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable continuous stacking operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If fixed stop means are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack formation accuracyVSAvoidstack configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stop means are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions and orientations. The driver and counter holder can be repositioned along the conveyor path and adjusted in angle, enabling the same components to adapt to different stack configurations (horizontal, vertical, angled) while maintaining precise stack formation through controlled movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If continuous transportation movement is maintained, then productivity is improved, but product damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking speedVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver and counter holder are designed to gently guide and cushion the products during the stacking process. The driver pushes products forward with controlled force, while the counter holder provides a soft stopping surface, preventing impact damage even during continuous high-speed operation. The gradual reduction of spacing between stop means allows smooth product transition without sudden shocks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9850012B2Product stacking device

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 SYNTEGON PACKAGING SYST AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a product stacking device for forming product stacks (12a-k) of product groups (14a-k) consisting of products (16a-k), which lie flatly and/or are brought into a shingled product arrangement (64a-k), during a transportation movement (28a-k). The product stacking device includes at least two stack contact surfaces (20a-k), which are provided in order to form the product stack (12a-k) by reducing a spacing (24a-k) between the stack contact surfaces (20a-k), the stack contact surfaces lying opposite one another in a product group direction (26a-k).