Stacking Apparatus Guide Pin Positioning for Lamination Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stack manufacturing apparatuses face accuracy and productivity issues due to the stacking technique being prone to errors and unable to efficiently handle different materials from multiple conveyors.

Innovation Solution

A stacking apparatus with a rotating stage unit, vertically movable sandwiching and press members, guide pins, and elastic members to accurately guide and stack materials, along with machining units to machine specific holes for precise lamination, and a scrap discarding unit for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single conveyor belt is used for stacking workpieces, then the press equipment can operate continuously, but the stacking accuracy deteriorates due to the accumulation technique being prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation of press equipmentVSAvoidstacking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the stacking system into multiple independent conveyor belts (first conveyor belt and second conveyor belt) that can transport different materials separately. This segmentation allows each conveyor to maintain its own positioning accuracy while feeding materials to the stacking position, thereby resolving the accuracy deterioration caused by single-conveyor accumulation techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a positioning mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the conveyor belts and the stacking position. This positioning mechanism ensures precise alignment of workpieces from different conveyors before stacking, maintaining high stacking accuracy while enabling continuous operation from multiple material sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the stacking technique is used to accumulate workpieces, then productivity is maintained, but the accuracy deteriorates due to the top-layer plate sliding during stacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements preliminary positioning actions before the actual stacking occurs. The positioning mechanism pre-aligns the workpieces on the conveyor belts and at the stacking position, ensuring that when stacking happens, there is no sliding or misalignment. This preliminary action maintains both high stacking speed and high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple materials from different conveyors are supplied, then versatility is improved, but the system complexity increases due to coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different materialsVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention designs the stacking apparatus with universal positioning and stacking mechanisms that can handle different types of materials from multiple conveyor belts. The positioning mechanism and stacking position are designed to accommodate various material dimensions and shapes, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple system structure through standardized interfaces.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2893990B1Lamination device and laminate production system
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 HODEN SEIMITSU KAKO KENKYUSHO CO LTD
  • EP2893990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2893990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2893990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a stacking apparatus and a stack manufacturing system having high accuracy and productivity. A stacking apparatus 10 includes: a stage unit 4 on which a material to be stacked 90 is placed; a sandwiching member 11 that is vertically movable with respect to the stage unit 4, and between which and the stage unit 4 the material to be stacked 90 is sandwiched; a press member 13 that is vertically movable with respect to the sandwiching member 11 and presses the material to be stacked 90; and a guide pin 14 that guides a stack 91a pressed and stamped out of the material to be stacked 90 by the press member 13.