Staggered Sheet Bundle Stacker with Reciprocating Discharge End
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet stacking devices for forming staggered bundles of cardboard sheets are expensive and cumbersome, requiring strong actuators and a sturdy structure for the reciprocating motion of the stacker platform, which complicates the formation of regular and efficient stacks.
Innovation Solution
A sheet stacker with a sheet conveyor arrangement and a stacker platform that performs a reciprocating staggering motion parallel to the sheet feed direction, combined with a vertical lifting and lowering movement, and a stop plate with synchronized vertical movement, allows for the formation of staggered bundles with improved ease and regularity, and a compact system with reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stacker platform is made movable to achieve reciprocating staggering motion, then staggered bundles can be formed, but the device becomes complex and requires strong actuators and sturdy structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the stacking system into independent components: a stationary stacker platform and a movable sheet discharge end. Instead of moving the entire platform, only the sheet discharge end moves reciprocally to achieve staggering, while the platform remains fixed and simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than moving the stacker platform to achieve staggering (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by making the sheet discharge end movable and the platform stationary. This reversal simplifies the platform structure while achieving the same staggering effect.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire stacker platform is moved for reciprocating motion, then staggered bundles are formed, but strong actuators and sturdy structure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented so that only the lightweight sheet discharge end requires actuation for reciprocating motion, while the heavy stacker platform remains stationary. This dramatically reduces the force requirements for actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic motion to the sheet discharge end (reciprocating movement) while keeping the platform static. This selective dynamics approach achieves staggering without requiring strong actuators to move the entire platform.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sheet discharge end and stacker platform both perform reciprocating motion, then correct staggering is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention assigns different functions to different components: the sheet discharge end performs reciprocating motion for positioning, while the platform remains stationary. This segmentation reduces complexity compared to having both components move.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable sheet discharge end acts as an intermediary that transfers the reciprocating motion to the sheets, achieving precise staggering control without requiring the entire platform to move.
Data Source
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AI summary
The sheet stacker (1) comprises a sheet conveyor arrangement (3), configured for feeding a plurality of sheets (C) in succession in a sheet feeding direction (F), said sheet conveyor arrangement having a sheet discharge end (17). The sheet stacker further comprises a stacking bay (5), wherein sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement at the sheet discharge end thereof are formed into stacks (S). The stacking bay (5) comprises a stacker platform (19). The stacker platform (19) supports a stack conveyor (25) movable in a direction parallel to a feed direction (F) of the sheets (C) in the stacking bay (5), configured and controlled to perform a reciprocating staggering motion to form staggered bundles (B) of sheets, and to further perform an evacuation motion (fE), to remove a completed stack (S) from the stacking bay (5).