Venetian blind slat stacking unit with asymmetric matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing Venetian blinds are bottlenecked by the separate and manual operations of attaching hooks to slats and coupling half-ladders, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime due to complex plant and operating requirements.
Innovation Solution
A stacking unit that combines the operations of attaching hooks and coupling half-ladders to slats, utilizing an asymmetric matrix structure with movable portions and actuators to apply hooks and half-ladders simultaneously, allowing for balanced force application and efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate operations for attaching hooks and coupling half-ladders are performed manually in dedicated stations, then reliability of attachment is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased downtime and process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hook attachment operation and the half-ladder coupling operation into a single integrated station. The matrix structure allows both operations to occur simultaneously on the same slat, eliminating the need for separate dedicated stations and manual transfer operations, thereby improving productivity while maintaining attachment reliability through the same robust matrix-based attachment mechanism
2Productivity
If in-line configuration is used for hook application, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens due to plant and operating complexities
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix structure serves multiple functions: it attaches hooks to slats, couples half-ladders to hooks, and provides structural support for both operations. This multi-functional design allows the same device to handle both attachment operations, reducing the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifying the overall plant complexity while maintaining in-line productivity
3Ease of manufacture
If separate dedicated stations are used for hook application and half-ladder coupling, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of time worsens due to doubling of machining stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate dedicated stations into one integrated station that performs both hook attachment and half-ladder coupling. The matrix structure is designed to accommodate both operations simultaneously, reducing the total number of stations required and eliminating the time loss associated with transferring slats between separate stations while maintaining the manufacturability of the attachment mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a stacking unit of slats on support half-ladders for the production of venetian blinds, comprising at least one group 2 for assembling on a slat a hook and a half-ladder with eyelets O. Such group is positioned laterally with respect to a longitudinal sliding axis X of the slats and comprises: - a matrix 11, 12 having a cavity 13 for a portion of rim and two apertures 14 and 15 of access to the cavity, between which a through aperture 16 is made; - a device 31 for applying hooks in correspondence with the first aperture 14; - a device 40 for guiding a half-ladder in correspondence with the through aperture 16, leaving an eyelet in correspondence with the through aperture 16; - a device 32 for closing the hook (G) in correspondence with the second aperture 15 of the matrix. The stacking unit comprises means 4, 5 for generating a relative movement between the slat and the matrix so that a hook anchored to the rim shifts along the cavity from said first aperture to the second 15 crossing the through aperture 16 engaging the eyelet. The hook is closed in correspondence with the second aperture 15.