Vibrating Table with Decoupled Unbalance Drives for Sheet Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibrating tables face challenges in achieving a high degree of variability in vibration motion to align stacked sheets with varying properties and weights, risking operation at resonant speeds and sheet adhesion due to different material characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A vibrating table with mechanically decoupled drive shafts and adjustable angular offsets allows independent control of vibration frequency and amplitude, enabling precise alignment and varied vibration patterns, including linear and directed vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the rotational speed of the unbalanced weight is changed to adapt to different material properties and stack weights, then the vibrating table can handle a wider variety of stacked goods, but the risk of operating at resonant speed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different material properties and stack weightsVSAvoidrisk of resonant operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single drive system is segmented into two independently controllable drive shafts, each capable of operating at different speeds. This allows the system to adapt to different material properties and stack weights without risking resonant operation, as the independent drives can be tuned to avoid resonant frequencies while maintaining versatility across different materials and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single drive system is used to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the variability of vibration motion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of drive systemVSAvoidvariability of vibration motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is divided into two mechanically decoupled drive shafts with independent drives, allowing each to be controlled separately to generate diverse vibration patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic variability by allowing the two drive shafts to rotate at different speeds and in different directions, enabling flexible adjustment of vibration characteristics without significantly increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the support table is tilted to align sheets with stops, then alignment precision is improved, but the risk of sheet adhesion increases due to different material properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of sheetsVSAvoidsheet adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The independently controllable drive shafts can generate periodic vibration patterns that prevent sheets from adhering to each other during the tilting and alignment process, addressing the adhesion issue while maintaining alignment precision through controlled vibrational motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution provides a wide range of vibration patterns and precise alignment of stacked sheets, preventing resonant operation and sheet adhesion, enhancing material handling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The unbalanced bodies can be adjusted relative to each other by means of a second drive... a first unbalance unit, wherein the first unbalance unit has a first drive shaft with a first unbalance element... a second unbalance unit, wherein the second unbalance unit has a second drive shaft with a second unbalance element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUnbalanced rotation: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

An air ejector is then used to remove the air between the individual layers of the stacked material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4656568A1Vibrating table for vibrating stacked goods present in sheet layers and corresponding method for operating the vibrating table

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a vibrating table for vibrating stacked material arranged in layers of sheets. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a vibrating table. The vibrating table has a vibrating device (9), wherein the vibrating device has a first unbalance unit (10), wherein the first unbalance unit (10) has a first drive shaft with a first unbalance element (12), wherein the first drive shaft is rotatable about a common axis of rotation (D), wherein the first unbalance unit (10) has a first drive (13), wherein the first drive (13) is configured to drive the rotation of the first drive shaft about the common axis of rotation (D), wherein the vibrating device (9) has a second unbalance unit (20), wherein the second unbalance unit (20) has a second drive shaft with a second unbalance element (22), wherein the second drive shaft is rotatable about the common axis of rotation (D).wherein the second unbalance unit (20) has a second drive (23), wherein the second drive (23) is configured to drive the rotation of the second drive shaft about the common axis of rotation (D), wherein the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are mechanically decoupled from each other.