Stacking Device Guide-Member Motion for Product Interference Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stacking devices fail to prevent interference between products with guide members when the positions of the first and second products differ in the intersectional direction.

Innovation Solution

A stacking device with a pair of guide members that can move in the intersectional direction to an interference avoidance position based on the side edge positions of the first and second products, ensuring they do not interfere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the guide member is positioned to align the first product, then the first product is properly aligned, but the second product with a different side edge position interferes with the guide member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is designed to be movable in the intersectional direction rather than fixed. The stacking processor dynamically adjusts the guide member's position based on the side edge positions of different products, allowing it to move to appropriate positions for different products while maintaining its alignment function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameter of the guide member is changed based on the side edge positions of the products. The stacking processor determines the guide member's position by referencing the side edge positions, and the guide member moves to the determined position to avoid interference while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide member position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to products with different side edge positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different product positionsVSAvoidguide member control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member serves multiple functions: it acts as both an alignment device and a movable component that adapts to different product positions. By making the guide member movable and controlling its position based on product side edge positions, a single component achieves both alignment and adaptability functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The stacking processor uses feedback from the side edge positions of products to determine and control the guide member's position. The system continuously monitors product positions and adjusts the guide member accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying product configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4596476A1Stacking device and machining processing device including the same
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DUPLO SEIKO CORP
  • EP4596476A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596476A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596476A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stacking device includes a placement part, a pair of guide members that align the products by performing alignment action on both side edges in an intersectional direction of the products placed on the placement part; and a stacking processor that controls positions of the pair of guide members in the intersectional direction. The products include first products conveyed along a first side edge position, and second products conveyed along a second side edge position following the first products. When the first side edge position and the second side edge position are different in the intersectional direction, the stacking processor controls, based on the first side edge position and the second side edge position, the pair of guide members so that at least one of the pair of guide members moves in the intersectional direction to an interference avoidance position.