Thin-Part Feeding Device With Segmented Receiving Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thin-part feeding devices are large, difficult to clean, and inefficient due to space requirements for dropping and collecting parts, and they struggle with feeding parts with small dimensional differences or ambiguous top-bottom orientation.
Innovation Solution
A downsized thin-part feeding device featuring a funnel portion, take-out tube, receiving portion, posture correcting mechanism, and transporting system that allows for precise alignment and feeding of parts without requiring extensive space for dropping or collecting, using suction and agitating units to manage part orientation and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional receiving portion design is used, then thin parts can be received, but excessive pieces accumulate and block the receiving portion
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion is divided into multiple storage spaces (first storage space and second storage space) separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows the system to store different quantities of thin parts in different spaces and selectively feed them, preventing accumulation blockage while ensuring reliable feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall can move between a first position and a second position, dynamically adjusting the capacity of each storage space. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different feeding requirements and prevent blockage by controlling the quantity of parts in each space.
2Productivity
If thin parts are stored upright in groove of feeder, then sequential transport is achieved, but parts with opposite direction must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
A vibrator is applied to the rail to vibrate the thin parts stored in the groove, causing them to rotate and change their orientation. This mechanical vibration automatically adjusts the direction of parts, eliminating the need for complex removal mechanisms while maintaining high feeding efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If conventional feeding device design is used, then thin parts can be fed, but the device is large and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion is segmented into multiple removable storage spaces that can be separated from the main device body. This segmentation allows the storage spaces to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement, making maintenance simple while keeping the overall device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage spaces are designed to be removable and replaceable. When contamination occurs, the storage spaces can be discarded (removed) and replaced with clean ones, eliminating the need for complex cleaning mechanisms and reducing device size.
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 device enables efficient, compact feeding of thin parts with improved cleanliness and reduced contamination, capable of handling parts with varying orientations and shapes without discrimination between top and bottom.
Implementation Method 1
a take-out tube that is arranged with in the state that it is inserted into the feeding opening from below and takes out the thin parts from the funnel portion
Implementation Method 2
an agitating unit that agitates the thin parts in the funnel portion
Implementation Method 3
a posture correcting portion that corrects a vertical posture of the thin parts; and a delivery portion that has a delivery opening for receiving the thin parts whose posture is corrected
Data Source
AI summary
A thin-part feeding device is provided which is compact and efficient. The device has a funnel portion with a feeding opening at the bottom thereof, a take-out tube for taking out thin parts from the funnel portion, and a receiving portion with separate opening for receiving thin parts from the discharge opening. The receiving portion is movable, and the receiving opening is sized to receive only one thin part. The device is operative to repeat a state where the receiving opening faces the discharge opening, and a state where the receiving opening is away from the discharge opening to enable thin parts to be taken out from the receiving opening. The device also features a novel, posture-correcting portion to correct vertical posture of thin parts, a delivery portion for receiving posture-corrected thin parts, and a transporting portion as described.