Venetian blind slat stacking unit with independent upright positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning support structures in Venetian blind slat stacking units are hindered by dimensional tolerances and tensions, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate placement of crosspieces or eyelets, affecting the quality of the blinds.
Innovation Solution
A slat stacking unit with independent and controlled movement of uprights, using guides and gripping elements controlled by sensors to ensure precise positioning of connection elements relative to the working plane, regardless of structural tolerances and tensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional stacking units move the entire support structure with slats, then the support structure is positioned with the slats, but the positioning of crosspieces or eyelets becomes inaccurate due to dimensional tolerances and tensions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into independent uprights that can move separately. Each upright is equipped with independent gripping elements and sensors, allowing individual positioning control. This segmentation enables precise positioning of connection elements (crosspieces or eyelets) without being affected by dimensional tolerances or tensions in the entire support structure, as each upright can be adjusted independently to compensate for variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The uprights are designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed. The gripping elements can independently grasp and move each upright along the sliding direction, allowing real-time adjustment of upright positions. This dynamic capability enables the system to compensate for dimensional tolerances and tension variations, ensuring accurate positioning of connection elements relative to the working plane throughout the stacking process.
2Manufacturing precision
If dimensional tolerances in eyelet and crosspiece distribution are reduced, then positioning accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the stacking unit to detect the actual positions of connection elements (eyelets or crosspieces) on each upright. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust the gripping elements and modify the movement of uprights in real-time, compensating for dimensional tolerances in the support structure. This allows the system to achieve high positioning accuracy without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the support structure components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters of upright movement dynamically. Instead of relying on fixed positioning based on manufacturing tolerances, the control system adjusts movement parameters (position, speed, stopping points) of each upright based on detected connection element positions. This allows compensation for dimensional variations without increasing manufacturing complexity, as the adjustment is made through control parameter changes rather than physical modifications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is made rigid to maintain position, then structural stability improves, but the structure becomes subject to movements and tensions that affect positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static rigid support structure to a dynamic system where uprights can move independently. The gripping elements can grasp and reposition uprights as needed, allowing the structure to adapt to tensions and movements rather than resisting them rigidly. This dynamic approach maintains structural stability while compensating for positioning errors caused by tensions in the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The uprights essentially self-correct their positions through the independent gripping mechanism. Each upright can be individually grasped and repositioned by its own gripping element, allowing the support structure to self-adjust and compensate for tensions and movements without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains both structural stability and positioning accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a unit for stacking of slats on a support structure for the production of Venetian blinds. Such structure S is provided with two uprights P1,P2 and a plurality of connection elements T1,T2 to the slats, attached to the uprights and distributed along the longitudinal extension of the latter. The unit 1 comprises: - at least one guide element for a slat L, defining a working plane m on which the slat slides supported along a longitudinal axis of movement X, at said plane m the slat being associated with connection elements of a support structure S positioned on a positioning plane p incident to the working plane, with the two uprights positioned on two opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X. The unit 1 is characterised in that it comprises means 30,40 for moving the two uprights of the support structure S independently of one another making them slide parallel to the sliding direction Q incident to the working plane. These moving means are controllable so as to progressively position the connection elements exactly in correspondence of the working plane. The invention also relates to a method for positioning a support structure in a stacking unit.