Zigzag Stacking Device for Bound Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in stably stacking bound products with springs without warping or colliding, especially when products of different thicknesses need to be alternately stacked in a zigzag manner, leading to complex structures, high costs, and potential damage during transfer.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a supporting frame unit, a transferring unit with gears and a moving belt, a reversing unit with a rack gear and pinion, and a holding unit with a curved groove and pressing mechanism, which allows for stable transfer and alternating direction reversal of bound products to prevent warping and enable zigzag stacking without spring contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bound products are stacked in one direction, then the stacking process is simple, but the spring portions become increasingly higher and it becomes impossible to stack at some point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking process simplicityVSAvoidstacking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by alternating the stacking direction between adjacent products. Instead of stacking all products in the same direction, the stacking direction is reversed for each subsequent product, creating a zigzag pattern. This resolves the contradiction by preventing spring height accumulation while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic direction reversal in the stacking process. The stacking direction is not fixed but changes dynamically between products, allowing the system to adapt and prevent spring portions from becoming excessively high, thereby maintaining continuous stacking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If products are rotated 180° to stack in a zigzag manner, then productivity is improved, but the product can be damaged by the impact caused by falling and colliding with the obstacle protrusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking efficiencyVSAvoidproduct damage from impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a curved groove in the stacking position that guides and cushions the product during direction reversal. This curved groove prevents direct impact and collision, reducing product damage while maintaining the productivity benefits of zigzag stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If an apparatus is used to control rotation degree and place products on a stacking support plate, then zigzag stacking is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvezigzag stacking capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transferring unit and reversing unit into a single integrated apparatus. The transferring unit moves the product while the reversing unit simultaneously reverses its direction, combining multiple functions into one compact structure. This reduces device complexity and installation cost while maintaining zigzag stacking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional apparatus where the same structure performs both transferring and reversing operations. The integrated design allows the apparatus to handle multiple tasks (movement, direction reversal, and positioning) without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If a transferring device is added to move products from binding device to stacking location, then zigzag stacking is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvezigzag stacking capabilityVSAvoidtransfer device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transferring device with the reversing unit into a single integrated structure. The transferring unit and reversing unit work together as one system, eliminating the need for separate transfer mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3202695B1Device for loading bound product
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 LEE SIN YOUNG
  • EP3202695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3202695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3202695B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Disclosed is a device for loading a bound product, the device holding a product without the product sagging, which has been completed by punching various objects to be bound and then binding same by means of a coil spring, reversing the moving direction to a loading location and thereby enabling neat and stable stacking in a zigzag state without having the coil springs come in contact with one another. A device for loading a bound product, according to the present invention, comprises: a supporting frame unit for providing a distance for the movement of a bound product from a binding location to a loading location; a transfer unit having upper and lower gears, which are axially mounted on one side of the frame unit, a driven gear, which is axially mounted on the other end, a moving belt, for connecting the lower gear and the driven gear, a power belt, which is connected to the upper gear, and a first driving motor, for transmitting power to the power belt; an LM guide having a rail, which is mounted on the frame unit in the length direction, and a block; a reversing unit having a supporting plate, which is fixed on the block of the LM guide and the moving belt, a pinion, of which the upper end is rotatably and axially mounted on the supporting plate, a first cylinder, for operating a rack gear that interlocks with the pinion, and a rotating plate which is fixed on the lower end of the pinion; and a holding unit having a support and a second cylinder which is mounted on the rotating plate of the reversing unit and has a pressure member coupled to the front end thereof so as to hold a bound product.