Suspended Sheet Transport via Vacuum Degree Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for sheet-shaped workpieces constrain manufacturing device layout due to the need for workpieces to be placed on the transport belt, limiting flexibility in production line design and requiring excessive suction force that can hinder belt movement.

Innovation Solution

An annular transport belt with suction holes and decompression chambers, equipped with a vacuum degree adjusting mechanism, allows the workpiece to be transported in a suspended state by controlling the vacuum level to balance suction force and reduce frictional resistance, enabling flexible layout and stable transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the workpiece is placed on the transport belt for transport, then the workpiece can be stably transported, but the manufacturing device layout is constrained and flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport stabilityVSAvoidlayout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the workpiece on the upper surface of the transport belt, the invention inverts the arrangement by suspending the workpiece from the lower surface of the belt. The belt has through-holes that allow suction from below, enabling the workpiece to be held in a suspended state rather than resting on top, thus reversing the conventional transport approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic suction through decompression chambers and through-holes to hold and transport the workpiece. By controlling the vacuum degree in the decompression chambers, the workpiece can be reliably suspended and transported without physical contact on the belt surface, enabling flexible layout arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If excessive suction force is applied to hold the workpiece, then the workpiece does not fall, but frictional resistance increases and hinders belt movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece holding stabilityVSAvoidfrictional resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The transport belt is divided into multiple decompression chambers arranged along the movement direction, with each chamber having its own vacuum degree adjusting mechanism. This segmentation allows different sections to have optimized suction forces, preventing excessive friction while maintaining reliable workpiece holding through distributed suction points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the vacuum degree parameter in each decompression chamber to optimize the balance between holding force and friction. By controlling the vacuum level rather than using constant high suction, the system maintains reliable workpiece attachment while minimizing frictional resistance that would hinder belt movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the workpiece is transported in a suspended state, then layout flexibility is improved, but the workpiece may fall due to insufficient suction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidworkpiece retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each decompression chamber is equipped with a vacuum degree adjusting mechanism that provides feedback control of the suction force. This allows the system to maintain optimal vacuum levels to prevent workpiece dropout while enabling the suspended transport state that provides layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enhances the degree of freedom in manufacturing device layout by maintaining a stable transport of individualized sheet-shaped workpieces without falling, while preventing excessive friction that could impede belt movement, thus optimizing production line configuration.

Implementation Method 1

first and second decompression chambers each abut against the second surface, and each suction the workpiece through at least one of the plurality of suction holes toward the first surface such that the transport belt is capable of transporting the workpiece in the moving direction in a suspended state from the first surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11926502B2Transport device

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A transport device transports an individualized sheet-shaped workpiece. The transport device includes: an annular transport belt having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a plurality of suction holes extending between the first surface and the second surface; first and second decompression chambers arranged along a moving direction of the transport belt; and a vacuum degree adjusting mechanism provided in the first decompression chamber and adjusting a vacuum degree in the first decompression chamber. The first and second decompression chambers each abut against the second surface, and each suction the workpiece through at least one of the plurality of suction holes toward the first surface such that the transport belt is capable of transporting the workpiece in the moving direction in a suspended state from the first surface.