Suction-Held Component Feeding Unit With Rotary Vacuum Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding units in automatic manufacturing machines for hygiene absorbent articles face challenges in efficiently conveying and orienting suction-held components due to limitations in suction generation and mechanical design, leading to reduced precision and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A feeding unit with a conveyor system using a closed curved guide and linear electric motors with electromagnetic coupling, coupled with a rotary vacuum chamber for suction, allows precise movement and orientation of components through a combination of slides and cam systems, ensuring efficient component handling and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If slides with idle wheels are used to convey sucking holding heads along a guide, then the holding heads can be precisely positioned and oriented, but the slides become small-sized and require complex mechanical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the suction generation function from the mechanically connected holding heads and relocates it to a separate rotary vacuum chamber. This separation eliminates the need for complex mechanical suction connections while maintaining precise positioning capability through the slide-wheel-guide mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotary vacuum chamber as an intermediary component that provides suction to multiple holding heads simultaneously. This mediator eliminates the need for individual mechanical suction connections for each holding head, simplifying the overall mechanical system while maintaining positioning precision.
2Productivity
If linear electric motors are used to drive slides, then high-speed and high-precision feeding is achieved, but the system requires complex electromagnetic coupling and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple driving functions into a single linear electric motor system that simultaneously drives multiple slides along the guide. This consolidation reduces the number of separate electromagnetic coupling mechanisms needed while maintaining high-speed feeding capability through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear electric motor system is designed to perform multiple functions: driving slides for positioning, enabling high-speed movement, and providing precise control for orientation. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while achieving high productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple idle wheels are arranged closely on slides, then sharp bends in the guide can be covered, but the slides require frequent maintenance and exhibit increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions idle wheels on slides in advance to anticipate and accommodate sharp bends in the guide path. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the slides can navigate complex paths without excessive wear during operation, improving durability while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide design incorporates distributed idle wheels that beforehand cushion the mechanical stresses encountered during navigation of sharp bends. This distribution of contact points reduces peak wear on individual wheels, enhancing slide reliability while maintaining guide path adaptability.
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
The solution enables high-speed and high-precision feeding of components with reduced wear and increased production efficiency, while maintaining component orientation and suction functionality.
Implementation Method 1
conveyor (5) comprises a linear electric motor (12), which moves the slides (9) carrying the equipment (8) and, hence, the sucking holding heads (4) along the application path (P)
Implementation Method 2
A feeding unit with a conveyor system using a closed curved guide and linear electric motors with electromagnetic coupling, coupled with a rotary vacuum chamber for suction
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding unit to feed components in an automatic manufacturing machine; the feeding unit has: a plurality of sucking holding heads, which are each designed to receive and hold a corresponding component; a closed curved guide, which is arranged in a fixed position along the application path; a plurality of equipment, each supporting a corresponding holding head and provided with at least one slide, which is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide by a plurality of wheels; a suction chamber, which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis; and a flexible connection system, which pneumatically connects the suction chamber to each holding head.