Two-DOF Transfer Tool for Product Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product transfer methods in production lines face issues with product blockages and damage during transverse transfer, particularly due to excessive deceleration, friction, and impact, which lead to inefficiencies and increased risk of product dropping, especially with voluminous and heavy items.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a tool that moves in two degrees of freedom within a horizontal plane, allowing for controlled displacement in the fetching direction and transverse direction without impact, using actuators for independent control and incorporating a pusher with an adjustable end stop and retaining member to manage speed and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If products are conveyed in single file from upstream modules, then space requirements are reduced and manufacturing simplicity is improved, but product blockages and damage occur during transverse transfer due to excessive deceleration and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer tool is made movable in two degrees of freedom (fetching direction and transverse direction) to dynamically adjust its position and speed during product transfer. This allows the tool to move with the products in the fetching direction while simultaneously transferring them transversely, eliminating excessive deceleration and impact forces that cause blockages and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer tool performs preliminary acceleration in the transverse direction before products need to be transferred, and maintains synchronized movement in the fetching direction during the transfer process. This preliminary action ensures products are smoothly transferred without sudden deceleration or impact, preventing blockages and damage while maintaining compact space requirements.
2Speed
If conventional transverse transfer is used with fixed tools, then transfer speed is maintained, but product stability deteriorates due to excessive friction and impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer tool's mobility in two degrees of freedom allows it to dynamically synchronize its speed with the incoming products in the fetching direction while maintaining controlled transverse movement. This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive friction and impact forces that would destabilize products, while still achieving efficient transfer speed through coordinated motion in both directions.
3Productivity
If products are arranged in multiple lines upstream, then transfer efficiency is improved, but installation length and complexity increase due to additional conveyor sections
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging products in multiple lines in the fetching direction (which would increase installation length), the invention performs transverse transfer by moving the tool in a second dimension (transverse direction). This dimensional change allows efficient batch transfer to multiple output positions without requiring additional conveyor length, maintaining compact installation while improving transfer efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for transferring products, comprising a means for fetching the products in a line in a first direction, at least one output conveyor, in a transverse direction with respect to said first direction, and a tool for transferring said products in groups. The transfer tool has only two degrees of freedom of movement in a horizontal plane, in said first direction and in said transverse direction. The invention relates also to a corresponding method for transferring products.