Suction Table Hole Geometry for Paper Feeding Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction feeding tables for laminar substrates with low rigidity, such as paper, experience misalignments and blockages due to the suction force, leading to poor feeding and potential tearing of the substrates.

Innovation Solution

A suction table with a modified suction hole design that includes an additional support surface between the wheel and the ends of the suction hole, featuring a tapering width geometry to guide the substrate and prevent it from entering the hole, thereby maintaining traction and preventing blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suction is applied through holes with wheels protruding for conveying laminar substrates with low rigidity, then the substrate can be held and moved, but the substrate edges are easily sucked into the holes causing misalignments and blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding reliabilityVSAvoidsubstrate misalignment and blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different geometric configurations to different parts of the suction hole. The output end has a first geometry (e.g., rounded or tapered) that prevents substrate insertion, while the input end has a second geometry that allows substrate entry. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making each part of the hole serve its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction hole is segmented into distinct functional zones: an input end for substrate entry and an output end for substrate release. Each segment has optimized geometry - the input end facilitates substrate capture while the output end prevents re-entry, thereby eliminating misalignment and blockage issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If suction force is increased to prevent slippage during substrate feeding, then traction is improved, but substrate tearing and misalignment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction forceVSAvoidsubstrate integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suction table provides localized support at the edges of the suction holes through specifically designed geometric features. This local support distributes the suction force more evenly across the substrate, preventing concentration of stress at vulnerable points that would lead to tearing, while maintaining sufficient traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the suction table design is optimized for substrates with low rigidity, then paper feeding is improved, but the table cannot be used for substrates with greater rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate type adaptabilityVSAvoidfeeding performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction hole geometry is designed with universal applicability - the combination of input end and output end geometries creates a configuration that works effectively for both low-rigidity substrates (paper) and high-rigidity substrates (cardboard). The design accommodates different substrate properties without requiring modification, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining reliable feeding performance.

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

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 modified suction table ensures continuous and efficient feeding of laminar substrates with low rigidity, preventing misalignments and blockages, and allowing for adaptation to substrates of greater rigidity, thus enhancing production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a suction table for conveying a laminar substrate having low rigidity or low grammage, thickness, such as paper, plastic, wood (wood veneer) etc., being conveyed both individually and from a continuous substrate reel, for feeding to a processing machine, comprising a plurality of holes through which wheels protrude for conveying the laminar substrate having low rigidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4501826A1Suction table for conveying substrates
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 BARBERAN LATORRE JESUS FRANCISCO
  • EP4501826A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4501826A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4501826A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a suction table (1) for conveying paper (2) for feeding to a processing machine, comprising a plurality of suction holes (3) through which wheels (4) protrude for conveying the paper (2) and through which suction is performed to provide traction to the paper (2) in its movement, wherein at least one of the plurality of suction holes (3) comprises an additional support surface (1.1) between the wheel (4) and the input end (3.2), and/or between the wheel (4) and the output end (3.1) of the suction hole (3), for supporting the laminar substrate having low rigidity (2) during its movement.