Tile Stacking Apparatus Vacuum Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile stacking apparatuses often cause damage and breakage of tiles during the transfer process due to the impact of rollers and gravity, leading to increased costs and time in forming stacks, as damaged tiles cannot be used for packing.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates aspirating gripping means, such as suckers, to retain and transfer tiles from conveyor elements to the stacking zone without allowing them to fall, thereby preventing damage and breakage by maintaining contact until the tile is securely placed, and using mobile release elements to disengage tiles from conveyors gently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile release elements with rollers are used to disengage tiles from conveyor elements, then tile transfer is enabled, but tile damage and breakage occur due to impact from rollers and gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cushioning element as an intermediary between the mobile release element and the tile. This cushioning element absorbs the impact during tile disengagement from the conveyor, preventing direct contact between the rigid roller and the tile surface. The intermediary component enables the transfer function while eliminating the harmful impact effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements cushioning elements that are positioned and activated before the tile completes its transfer to the stacking zone. The cushioning action occurs in advance during the disengagement phase, absorbing the impact energy before the tile is fully released. This prevents subsequent damage when the tile lands on the stacking zone support elements.
2Productivity
If tiles are transferred by gravity onto support elements in the stacking zone, then stacking is enabled, but tile breakage increases due to impact stress
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning element is positioned to activate before the tile reaches the stacking zone support elements. During the transfer phase, the cushioning element maintains contact with the tile, absorbing the gravitational impact energy. This allows gravity-driven transfer to continue at high speed while preventing the harmful impact that would otherwise occur when the tile contacts the support elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning element serves as a mediator between the falling tile and the rigid support elements in the stacking zone. Instead of direct contact between the tile and hard support surface, the cushioning element interposes itself, distributing the impact force and preventing concentrated stress that causes breakage.
3Ease of operation
If rollers press on the upper wall of tiles to disengage them from conveyors, then tile release is achieved, but stress and potential damage are applied to the tile structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning element is positioned between the mobile release element (roller) and the tile's upper wall. When the roller presses down to disengage the tile from the conveyor, the cushioning element absorbs and distributes this pressure, preventing concentrated stress on the tile structure. The intermediary cushioning layer enables effective disengagement while protecting tile integrity.
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
This solution significantly reduces tile damage and breakage, resulting in lower costs and time for forming stacks, as undamaged tiles are retained for packing, and the apparatus can adapt to various tile formats and dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
aspirating gripping means, such as suckers, to retain and transfer tiles from conveyor elements to the stacking zone
Data Source
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AI summary
A tile stacking apparatus (1), comprising:a stacking zone (2) of tiles (5), in which the tiles (5) are progressively stacked on one another;conveyor means (3), for conveying tiles (5) to be stacked towards the stacking zone (2). The conveyor means (3) comprise two conveyor elements (3), which: are arranged above the stacking zone (2) such as to convey a tile (5) to be stacked into a transfer position (P) which is proximal to the storage zone (2); are distanced from one another such as to respectively contact a first lateral edge (50) and a second lateral edge (51) of the tile (5); are configured such that a pressure exerted on the upper wall (52) of the tile (5) to be stacked which has arrived in the transfer position (P) can lead to a disengaging of the conveyor elements (3) from the tile (5) to be stacked. The apparatus (1) further comprises a mobile release element (6) for acting on the upper wall (52) of the tile (5) such as to cause disengagement of the tile (5) to be stacked from the conveyor elements (3); aspirating gripping means (7) of the tile (5), activatable such as to retain the tile (5). The aspirating gripping means (7) are mobile between the transfer position (P) and the stacking zone (2), such as to enable gripping the tile (5) when the tile (5) is arranged in the transfer position (P), the transfer of the tile (5) to be stacked towards the stacking zone (2) and the release of the tile (5) in the stacking zone (2).