Suction Bar Automatic Adjustment via Sheet-Driven Mechanical Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet alignment devices lack an efficient mechanism to adjust the squeegee to varying sheet formats, leading to potential suction pressure collapse and requiring manual or motor-driven adjustments, which are prone to errors and wear.
Innovation Solution
A device with a changeable contact element that can be moved in two degrees of freedom, featuring a switch and counter-element with complementary profiles, allowing for automatic adjustment without additional actuators or heavy components, enabling adaptation to different sheet formats through controlled drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suction bar is manually adjusted by the machine operator, then the suction bar can be adapted to the sheet format, but the adjustment is susceptible to errors and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The suction bar automatically adjusts its position by using the sheet itself as the actuating element. When a sheet is inserted, it mechanically engages with the adjustment mechanism (gears, cam profiles, or linkage) on the suction bar, causing the suction bar to automatically move to the correct position corresponding to the sheet format without operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction bar transitions from a static component to a dynamically adjustable one through the automatic mechanism. The position of the suction bar is no longer fixed or manually set but dynamically adapts based on the sheet format detected through the mechanical engagement during sheet insertion.
2Extent of automation
If a motor is mounted on the suction bar for automatic adjustment, then the suction bar can adapt to sheet format automatically, but the moving mass increases and wear on connecting cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven automatic adjustment system with a purely mechanical automatic adjustment system. Instead of using an electric motor and control electronics, the invention uses mechanical elements such as gears, cam profiles, or linkages that are directly actuated by the sheet during insertion, achieving automatic adjustment without adding motor weight or complex electrical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet itself serves as the actuating element for the adjustment mechanism. The mechanical energy from inserting the sheet is directly converted into the positional adjustment of the suction bar through the engagement with gears, cam profiles, or linkage, eliminating the need for external motors.
3Extent of automation
If a motor is mounted on the suction bar for automatic adjustment, then the suction bar can adapt to sheet format automatically, but wear and tear on connecting cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the motor and its associated connecting cables by using a direct mechanical actuation system. The adjustment mechanism uses gears, cam profiles, or linkages that are mechanically coupled to the suction bar without requiring flexible cable connections, thereby eliminating wear on connecting cables entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the motor component from the automatic adjustment system, replacing it with a simpler mechanical system that uses the sheet insertion motion directly to adjust the suction bar position, thereby eliminating the source of cable wear.
4Device complexity
If the suction bar position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the suction pressure collapses when not all suction openings are covered by the sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The suction bar transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position based on sheet format. The mechanical engagement during sheet insertion automatically positions the suction bar to match the sheet dimensions, ensuring that suction openings are properly covered and suction pressure is maintained without requiring complex control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple, automated modification of the contact element, reducing errors and wear, and maintaining suction pressure by adjusting the suction area to match the sheet format without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one switch and the at least one counter element can be brought into mechanical engagement with each other by means of the controllable drives for adjusting the at least one switch
Implementation Method 2
The contact element can be designed as a suction bar or as a suction plate, and an adjustment of the at least one switch effects an adjustment of the suction area
Implementation Method 3
The suction bar that can draw in and hold each sheet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The alignment apparatus (10) has two variable contact elements (2) moving in degrees of freedom (5) and two controllable drives (1) for moving the contact element, where the variable contact element has a switch (3) having two switching positions. The respective switch is associated with a counter element (4), where the switch and the counter element are each engageable in a mechanical engagement with each other for adjusting the switch. The switch is designed as a rotary switch or slide switch.