Drive device for driving component of container treatment plant

Abstract

A drive device for driving a component of a container treatment plant, where the drive device comprises at least one sealing element for sealing an interior space of the drive device and a monitoring system, where the monitoring system is configured to monitor a wear state of the sealing element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device for driving components of a container handling apparatus according to independent claim 1, and a method for driving components of a container handling apparatus by means of the drive device according to independent claim 9. Background Technology

[0002] Drive mechanisms for driving components of container handling equipment are known from the prior art.

[0003] For example, it is known to use an electric motor to rotate a turntable of a rotary machine to perform processing steps on a container supported on the turntable. To protect the motor, for example, from splashing water, it is also known to seal the internal space of the motor from the surrounding environment using a seal. For example, a seal can be provided to seal an opening in the internal space from the surrounding environment using a sealing ring, from which a movable drive element can be guided out of the internal space of the drive unit.

[0004] When the motor is now in operation and the drive components rotate, the friction between the seals and the drive components causes continuous wear of the seals and a reduction in sealing effectiveness. Over time, the internal space of the motor can no longer be guaranteed to be sealed from the surrounding environment. To prevent this, the seals are replaced periodically. However, since the replacement time can only be estimated, the seals are often replaced too early or too late, which in turn leads to high resource application or splash water entering the drive unit. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the known prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drive device for driving components of a container handling device and a corresponding method, which enables monitoring of the sealing of the internal space of the drive device relative to the surrounding environment.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a drive device for driving components of a container handling apparatus according to claim 1 and a method for driving components of a container handling apparatus by means of the drive device according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The drive mechanism for driving components of a container handling device according to the present invention includes at least one sealing element for sealing the internal space of the drive mechanism and a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system is configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element.

[0008] The drive unit can be any device suitable for translating and / or rotating components of the container handling equipment. For example, the drive unit can be a servo motor by means of which the component can be rotated. However, alternatively, the drive unit can also be a linear motor by means of which the component can be translated. However, the drive unit can also be any other device not explicitly mentioned herein, suitable for translating and / or rotating components.

[0009] A component of a container handling apparatus can be any component that can be translated and / or rotated by a drive mechanism. For example, the component can be a container support, such as a turntable. The turntable can be rotated, for example, by means of a drive mechanism. However, it can also be any other component of the container handling apparatus.

[0010] The interior space can be an area at least partially enclosed from the surrounding environment of the drive unit. For example, the control electronics and / or drive components of the drive unit can be supported in the interior space to prevent the influence of the surrounding environment.

[0011] The sealing element can be configured to seal at least a portion of the drive unit from the surrounding environment. For example, a sealing element can be provided to seal a portion of the drive unit from the surrounding environment where the drive components of the drive unit are guided out of the internal space of the drive unit. Alternatively, for example, a sealing element can also be provided to seal replaceable components of the drive unit relative to the surrounding environment.

[0012] The monitoring system can be a system configured to determine the wear condition or parameters associated with the wear condition. In this case, the wear condition does not need to be determined at the sealing element itself, but can be determined indirectly, for example, by parameters of the drive device (e.g., operating parameters), which can be associated with the wear condition of the sealing element. However, it is also possible to determine the wear condition of the sealing element itself, for example, by measuring parameters of the sealing element.

[0013] Wear condition can be used to correlate the actual state of a sealing element with its initial state. The initial state can be the new state of the sealing element, i.e., the state of a new, unused sealing element. Wear condition can be expressed as a percentage, for example, where zero wear describes a new, unused sealing element, and 100% wear describes a fully worn sealing element. For example, a fully worn sealing element could be one that cannot ensure a sufficient seal between the internal space and the surrounding environment. However, the new state and the fully worn state can also be described by any other percentage value or any other suitable variable. For example, wear condition can also be described in binary, where, for example, a wear condition of 0 describes an unworn sealing element, and a wear condition of 1 describes a worn sealing element (and vice versa).

[0014] Since the drive device according to the invention is configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element, it is possible to check whether the sealing element provides a sufficient seal for the internal space relative to the surrounding environment. This makes it possible to identify and prevent defects or damage to the components of the drive device supported in the internal space caused by insufficient sealing of the internal space at an early stage. Furthermore, the replacement time of the sealing element can be precisely timed, and premature and unnecessary replacement of the sealing element can be prevented.

[0015] In one embodiment, the monitoring system may include a humidity sensor and be configured to determine the wear condition of the sealing element based on the humidity value in the internal space determined by the humidity sensor. Since the humidity value in the internal space is directly related to the wear condition of the sealing element, the humidity value determined by the humidity sensor represents a particularly suitable variable for determining the wear condition of the sealing element.

[0016] Furthermore, a monitoring system can be provided that includes sensors for determining operating parameters of the drive unit, and is configured to determine these operating parameters in relation to the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed. If the drive unit is to rotate a component, it is typically connected to the component via a drive element. To enable the rotation of the drive element to be transmitted to the component, the drive element can be guided out of an internal space through an opening, which can be sealed relative to the surrounding environment by a sealing element. Since the friction between the drive unit (or drive element) and the sealing element decreases with increasing wear, and the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed is directly related to the friction between the drive element and the sealing element, the measurement of the torque-related operating parameters represents a particularly suitable variable for determining the wear condition of the sealing element. The operating parameters can be, for example, the current consumption of the drive unit. In this case, the sensor can include, for example, an ammeter, and is configured to determine the torque based on the current consumption of the drive unit. However, alternatively, the sensor can also include a strain gauge for determining the torque. In this case, the operating parameter can be, for example, the resistance of the strain gauge. Furthermore, the sensor can also be designed as a magnetic sensor or any other suitable method.

[0017] Instead of a sensor / ammeter, the required torque can be determined by the current supplied to the drive unit. Therefore, the torque can be calculated based on the required current.

[0018] In one embodiment, a monitoring system may be provided that is configured to compare humidity values ​​and / or operating parameters with reference humidity values ​​and / or reference operating parameter values, and determine the wear condition of the sealing element based on the comparison. By comparing with reference values, the wear condition of the sealing element can be quantified in a precise manner based on the measured humidity values ​​and / or measured operating parameters.

[0019] In an improved embodiment of the foregoing, the monitoring system can be configured to compare the wear condition with a reference value and, based on the comparison, output information to the operator that the sealing element must be replaced, or, based on the comparison, output information to the operator including the maintenance time when the sealing element must be replaced. In this way, the replacement of worn sealing elements can be initiated or terminated, damage to any components supported in the internal space can be prevented, and premature replacement of the sealing elements can be avoided.

[0020] In one embodiment, the drive unit may include a pressure compensation component through which moisture present in the drive unit can be guided out of the drive unit. Therefore, for example, after replacing the sealing element, any residual moisture present in the internal space of the drive unit can be removed from the internal space. Furthermore, even if the worn sealing element cannot be replaced immediately, the humidity in the internal space can be controlled before replacement.

[0021] Furthermore, a drive unit including a servo motor can be provided, and the component includes a turntable disposed on a rotary machine of the container handling equipment, wherein the drive unit is configured to be arranged below the turntable and along the radial direction of the rotary machine. In this way, a specific drive unit for the turntable of a rotary machine can be realized.

[0022] In an improved embodiment of the foregoing, the size of the drive unit can be increased in one direction, specifically when the drive unit is arranged radially below the turntable along the radial direction of the rotary machine. Through appropriate design of the drive unit, the number of drive units and turntables arranged on the rotary machine can be maximized.

[0023] According to the present invention, a method for driving components of a container handling device by means of a driving device is also provided, wherein the driving device includes at least one sealing element for sealing the internal space of the driving device and a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system monitors the wear condition of the sealing element.

[0024] By determining the wear condition of the sealing element, the method according to the invention can check whether the sealing element provides a sufficient seal for the internal space relative to the surrounding environment. Therefore, defects caused by insufficient sealing of the internal space or damage to components of the drive mechanism supported in the internal space can be prevented. Furthermore, the replacement time of the sealing element can be precisely timed, and premature and unnecessary replacement of the sealing element can be avoided.

[0025] In one embodiment of the method, the monitoring system may include a humidity sensor, and the wear condition of the sealing element may be determined based on the humidity value in the internal space determined by the humidity sensor. Since the humidity value in the internal space is directly related to the wear condition of the sealing element, the humidity value determined by the humidity sensor represents a particularly suitable variable for determining the wear condition of the sealing element.

[0026] Furthermore, a monitoring system can be provided that includes sensors for determining the operating parameters of the drive unit, and that these operating parameters are associated with the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed. To transmit the rotation of the drive element of the drive unit to the components, the drive element is typically guided out of the drive unit's internal space via an opening, which can be sealed from the surrounding environment by a sealing element. To seal the internal space, the drive element and the sealing element are in contact with each other. Since the frictional force between the drive unit (or drive element) and the sealing element decreases with increasing wear of the sealing element, and the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed is directly related to the frictional force between the drive element and the sealing element, the measurement of torque-related operating parameters represents a particularly suitable variable for determining the wear condition of the sealing element.

[0027] In one embodiment of the method, a monitoring system may also be provided to compare humidity values ​​and / or operating parameters with reference humidity values ​​and / or reference operating parameter values, and determine the wear condition of the sealing element based on the comparison. By comparing with reference values, the wear condition of the sealing element can be quantified in a precise manner based on the measured humidity values ​​and / or measured operating parameters.

[0028] In an improved embodiment according to the foregoing description, a monitoring system can be provided to compare the wear condition with a reference value and, based on the comparison, output information to the operator that the sealing element must be replaced, or, based on the comparison, output information to the operator including the maintenance time when the sealing element must be replaced. In this way, the replacement of worn sealing elements can be initiated or terminated, and damage to any components supported within the internal space can be prevented.

[0029] In one embodiment of the method, the drive unit may include a pressure compensation component through which moisture present in the drive unit is guided out of the drive unit. Therefore, for example, after replacing the sealing element, any residual moisture present in the internal space of the drive unit can be removed from the internal space. Furthermore, even if the worn sealing element cannot be replaced immediately, the humidity in the internal space can be controlled before replacement.

[0030] Furthermore, a drive unit including a servo motor can be provided, and the component includes a turntable disposed on a rotary machine of the container handling equipment. The drive unit is arranged below the turntable and along the radial direction of the rotary machine. Optionally, the size of the drive unit increases in one direction, specifically when the drive unit is arranged below the turntable along the radial direction of the rotary machine. In this way, a specific drive unit for the turntable of the rotary machine can be implemented. Through the optional design of the drive unit, the number of drive units and turntables arranged on the rotary machine can be maximized. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 A drive device for driving components of a container handling device according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2a b: A drive device for driving components of a container handling device according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A drive device 100 for driving component 104 of container handling device 105 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0034] According to the present invention, the drive device 100 includes at least one sealing element 102 for sealing the internal space 106 of the drive device 100 and a monitoring system 103 configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element 102.

[0035] The drive unit 100 may be a drive unit 100 that may be configured to translate and / or rotate the component 104 of the container handling device 105.

[0036] If the drive unit 100 is configured to rotate and drive the component 104 of the container handling device 105, the drive unit 100 may include, for example, a servo motor. However, the drive unit 100 may also include any other means adapted to rotate and drive the component 104.

[0037] If the drive unit 100 is configured for translating and driving the component 104 of the container handling device 105, the drive unit 100 may include, for example, a linear motor. Here, the design of the drive unit 100 with a linear driver should also be understood as exemplary, such that the drive unit may also include any other means that may be suitable for translating and driving the component 104.

[0038] The drive unit 100 can be connected to the control unit via at least one pluggable connection, through which the control unit can operate the drive unit 100. If more than one drive unit 100 is provided, the drive units 100 can also be connected to each other via pluggable connections. The plug connection may include a rotatable angle plug. In addition, non-contact data transmission can be provided between the drive unit 100 and the control unit or between the drive units 100.

[0039] Slip rings can also be used to supply power to the drive unit 100. In this way, for example, when the entire drive unit 100 is rotating, such as when the drive unit 100 is arranged on a rotary machine, a continuous current supply to the drive unit 100 can be ensured, and failure of the drive unit 100 due to cable breakage can be prevented.

[0040] For example, the sealing element 102 can be configured to seal the opening of the interior space 106 relative to the surrounding environment. Figure 1 As shown, the opening can allow the drive element 101 of the drive device 100 to be guided out of the internal space 106 of the drive device 100 so as to connect with and drive the component 104. Therefore, the drive element 101 can be configured to transmit translational and / or rotational motion generated by the drive device 100 to the component 104.

[0041] The material used to manufacture the sealing element can be flexibly selected based on the intended use of the drive unit 100 in the container handling equipment 105. The sealing element may include, for example, rubber and / or plastic.

[0042] To replace the sealing element, a specific replacement tool can be provided. For example, the replacement tool can be configured to press the sealing element 102 into the opening of the internal space 106 of the drive unit 100 to a specific pressing depth. In this way, it is possible to avoid using measuring tools to recheck the pressing depth and to design the replacement of the sealing element more efficiently. In addition, defects in the drive unit 100 caused by incorrectly introduced sealing element 102 can be avoided.

[0043] In order for the drive element 101 of the drive device 100 to move, the drive element may have a gap relative to the wall of the internal space 106. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the sealing element 102 may be disposed between the wall of the interior space 106 and the drive element 101 of the drive unit 100 to seal the interior space 106 from the surrounding environment. For example, the seal 102 may prevent fluid (e.g., liquid) from entering the interior space 106 of the drive unit 100 from the container handling device 105.

[0044] The shape of the seal can be selected, for example, according to the shape of the drive element 101 of the drive device 100.

[0045] For example, if the drive element 101 has a cylindrical shape, the sealing element 102 can be designed as a sealing ring. This design of the drive element 101 and the sealing element 102 can be provided, for example, in the drive unit 100, which is configured for rotating the component 104 of the container handling device 105.

[0046] If the translational movement of component 104 is to be achieved by driving element 101, for example, driving element 101 may be provided to have a cuboid shape and sealing element 102 may have a square or rectangular shape.

[0047] Since the sealing element 102 is designed to seal the internal space 106 of the drive unit 100, the sealing element can be used with... Figure 1 The drive element 101 of the drive device 100 shown is in contact. Therefore, during the rotational and / or translational motion of the drive element 101 of the drive device 100, the frictional force between the sealing element 102 and the drive element 101 counteracts the rotational and / or translational motion of the drive element 101. Due to the frictional force, the sealing element 102 will gradually wear over time. The frictional force between the drive element 101 and the sealing element 102 can vary with the increase of wear of the sealing element, which may be accompanied, for example, by the wear of the material of the sealing element.

[0048] As the sealing element 102 wears down, it can no longer ensure that the internal space 106 of the drive unit 100 is adequately sealed. For example, liquid released during container handling by the container handling equipment 104 can reach the internal space of the drive unit 100, and may cause defects in the control electronics and / or drive components of the drive unit 100 arranged in the internal space.

[0049] To prevent this, the monitoring system 103 according to the invention is configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element 102. Therefore, the monitoring system 103 allows for precise determination of the replacement time of the sealing element 102, thereby avoiding unnecessary premature replacement of the still intact sealing element 102. Furthermore, due to the wear of the sealing element 102, liquids or other unwanted substances can be prevented from seeping into the internal space 106. Therefore, the replacement of the sealing element 102 can be precisely terminated by means of the monitoring system 103, saving resources. In addition, damage to components arranged in the internal space 106 of the drive unit 100 can be prevented.

[0050] For example, the monitoring system 103 can be configured to directly determine the wear condition of the sealing element 102, or to determine the parameters of the drive device 100, and then determine the wear condition of the sealing element 102 based on those parameters.

[0051] This parameter can be, for example, an operating parameter of the drive unit 100, such as a control parameter for controlling the operating state of the drive unit 100. If the drive unit 100 is configured for rotary drive of component 104, the operating parameter can be, for example, an operating parameter of the drive unit 100 associated with the torque to be applied by the drive unit 100 to achieve a specific rotational speed. For this purpose, the monitoring system 103 can include, for example, sensors for determining the operating parameters of the drive unit associated with the applied torque, and can be configured to determine the torque to be applied by the drive unit 100 to achieve a specific rotational speed based on the operating parameters.

[0052] Operating parameters can be, for example, the current consumption of the drive unit 100. In this case, the sensor can include, for example, an ammeter and be configured to determine the torque based on the current consumption of the drive unit 100. Alternatively, the sensor can also include a strain gauge for determining the torque. In this case, the operating parameter can be, for example, the resistance of the strain gauge. Alternatively, the sensor can be designed as a magnetic induction sensor or in any other suitable manner.

[0053] If the drive unit 100 is configured for translational drive of the component 104, the operating parameters may be, for example, the force applied by the drive unit 100, which is necessary to accelerate the component 104 to a specific speed.

[0054] However, the parameters of the drive unit 100 can also be parameters of the surrounding environment to which the drive unit 100 is exposed. For example, the parameter could be the humidity value in the interior space of the drive unit 100. To determine the humidity value in the interior space, the monitoring system 103 may include a humidity sensor and be configured to determine the wear condition of the sealing element 102 based on the humidity value in the interior space 106 determined by the humidity sensor.

[0055] In order to determine the wear condition of the sealing element 102 based on the operating parameters and / or humidity values ​​of the internal space of the drive unit 101, the monitoring system 103 may be configured to compare the operating parameters and / or humidity values ​​with reference operating parameter values ​​and / or reference humidity values, and determine the wear condition based on the comparison.

[0056] The accuracy of wear condition determination can be improved if both the measured operating parameters and the measured humidity value are used to determine the wear condition. However, sufficiently accurate determination of the wear condition can be achieved even when the wear condition is determined based on torque-related operating parameters or humidity values.

[0057] To determine and / or monitor wear conditions, a monitoring system 103 may be provided, for example, including a computer unit with a processor and storage units (e.g., non-volatile memory). A series of reference operating parameter values ​​and / or reference humidity values ​​may be stored in the storage units. The reference operating parameter values ​​and / or reference humidity values ​​may be associated with a specific type of drive device 100. In this case, reference values ​​for multiple different drive devices 100 may be stored in the storage units. The monitoring system 103 may be configured to compare the measured operating parameter values ​​and humidity values ​​with the reference values ​​for the corresponding drive devices 100. The reference operating parameter values ​​and reference humidity values ​​may, for example, be associated with a specific wear condition, such that the wear condition can be determined based on the measured operating parameters and / or humidity values. At least one function stored in the storage unit may also be provided, by virtue of which the wear condition can be determined based on the measured operating parameters and / or humidity values.

[0058] Wear condition can be expressed as a percentage, for example, where 100% wear condition describes a fully worn seal element, and zero wear condition describes a new, unused seal element (and vice versa). However, new and / or fully worn seal elements can also be described by any other percentage value or any other suitable dimension.

[0059] For example, a binary indication of wear status can also be provided, where a wear status of zero could, for example, indicate that the sealing element is not worn, while a wear status of 1 could, for example, indicate that the sealing element is worn (and vice versa). In this case, for example, the measured operating parameters and / or the measured humidity value can be compared with at least one threshold that can be stored in the aforementioned storage unit. For example, if the humidity value exceeds the threshold and / or if the operating parameter is below the threshold, the wear status can be provided with a binary value of 1, indicating that the sealing element 102 has worn.

[0060] Furthermore, the drive unit 100 may include a pressure compensation component 107 through which moisture present in the drive unit 100 can be guided out of the drive unit 100. The pressure compensation component 107 may be, for example, a membrane configured to expel moisture (e.g., water vapor) from the internal space of the drive unit 100 while preventing moisture from penetrating into the internal space 106. This membrane may be, for example, a microporous membrane comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. The microporous membrane may include, for example, more than one billion small openings per square centimeter of membrane surface. The area occupied by the openings may substantially correspond to 1 / 20,000 of the diameter of a water droplet and substantially 700 times the diameter of a water vapor molecule. Essentially, the deviation of the opening area from 1 / 20,000 of the diameter of a water droplet or from 700 times the diameter of a water vapor molecule is less than or equal to 20%, less than or equal to 10%, less than or equal to 5%, or a value corresponding to 1 / 20,000 of the diameter of a water droplet and 700 times the diameter of a water vapor molecule. In this way, a waterproof yet permeable membrane can be provided. In order to effectively remove moisture from the internal space 106 through the pressure compensation component 107, a heating device can also be arranged in the internal space 106 of the drive device 100. With the help of this heating device, the liquid that has permeated into the internal space 106 can be converted into a gas phase, so that it can be discharged from the internal space 106 of the drive device 100 through the pressure compensation component 107.

[0061] Figure 2a Figures b and c illustrate another embodiment of the drive device 200 for driving component 204 of container handling equipment 210, wherein, Figure 2a A plan view of the rotary machine 209 of the container handling equipment 210 is shown. Figure 2b It shows crossing Figure 2a A section of a portion of the rotary machine 209. Figure 2a The implementation methods of b can be compared with Figure 1 The implementation methods are combined.

[0062] Figure 2a The rotary machine 209 of the container handling apparatus 210 shown has a plurality of container supports 204 for receiving containers 205 arranged circumferentially along the rotary machine 209. Figure 2a The number and location of the container supports 204 arranged circumferentially around the rotary machine 209 shown should be understood as an example. Therefore, the rotary machine 209 may also include any other number of container supports 204 arranged in other locations on the rotary machine 209.

[0063] exist Figure 2a In this embodiment, the container support 204 is designed as a turntable 204, which can be rotated 207 by means of a drive device 200. Therefore, Figure 2aThe drive unit 200 shown may include a servo motor.

[0064] The turntable may include at least one contact opening for connecting the turntable to a servo motor. For example, the drive shaft of the servo motor may include at least one connecting element that can be connected to at least one contact opening of the turntable. For example, the turntable may be connected to the drive shaft through at least one contact opening and to at least one connecting element via a screw connection.

[0065] The fact that turntable 204 can be rotated 207 by means of drive device 200 should be understood as an example. Alternatively or additionally, turntable 204 can also be translated by means of drive device 200, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation 211 of the rotary machine 209.

[0066] The drive units 200 arranged along the circumference of the rotary machine 209 can be connected in series by cables, so that only one drive unit 200 can be directly connected to the control unit for controlling the drive units, and the remaining drive units can be indirectly connected to the control unit through other drive units.

[0067] like Figure 2a As shown, the drive unit 200 can be arranged vertically below the turntable 204 along the radial direction of the rotary machine 209.

[0068] Furthermore, the drive unit 200 can be arranged above or below the container platform of the rotary machine 209 relative to the vertical direction. The container platform can have multiple holes that can be arranged symmetrically along the circumference of the container platform, and the drive unit 200 can be screwed onto the container platform from the top or bottom. In this way, the drive unit 200 can be effectively protected from dust and corrosion.

[0069] In addition, the size of the drive unit 200 can be increased in one direction, and in each case, the turntable and the drive unit 200 are arranged in area 206 of the rotary machine 209.

[0070] exist Figure 2a When the drive unit 200 is arranged radially below the turntable 204 along the rotary machine 209, the width of the drive unit 200 increases radially outward from the center of the rotary machine 209. To achieve this, as shown... Figure 2a As shown, the drive unit 200 may have a triangular shape in the radial direction. Figure 2aThe idealized triangular shape of the drive unit 200 shown should be understood as an example. For example, the drive unit 200 may also have slight deviations from the triangular shape, or any other shape in which its dimensions increase radially outward from the center point of the rotary machine 209 in the horizontal direction. With appropriate design of the drive unit 200, the number of drive units 200 and turntables 204 that can be arranged on the rotary machine 209 can be maximized.

[0071] If already combined Figure 1 The drive unit 200 includes a sealing element 202 that seals the internal space 208 of the drive unit 200 from the surrounding environment, such as... Figure 2b The crossing shown Figure 2a The cross-section of a portion of the concentric rotor 209 is shown. In this case, the sealing element 202 can be configured to surround an opening in the drive unit 200 through which the drive element 201 of the drive unit 200 drives the component 204 of the container handling device 209, wherein... Figure 2a In the implementation of b, component 204 is the turntable 204 of the rotary machine 209. Figure 2b The arrangement of the drive unit 200 on the rotary machine and the arrangement of the drive element and sealing element 202 within the drive unit 200 should be understood as illustrative. The components just described can also be arranged on the rotary machine and / or drive unit 200 in any other suitable manner. For example, the drive unit 200 can be provided to be vertically fixed to the rotary machine 209 from below by at least one screw connection. The rotary machine 209 may include recesses in a portion of the rotary machine through which the drive element 201 of the drive unit 200 can be guided through the rotary machine 209 and can drive the components 204 of the container handling equipment 209.

[0072] like Figure 2b The shown passage Figure 2a As shown in the cross-section of a portion of the concentric rotor 209, the drive unit 200 does not need to extend along the entire radial direction of the rotary machine starting from the center point of the rotary machine, but may only occupy a portion of the length range, such as 70%, 50%, 30%, 15% or any other portion of the radial direction of the rotary machine.

[0073] Furthermore, the receiving device 200 includes a monitoring system 203 configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element 202. The monitoring system 203 can, based on... Figure 1 The monitoring system 103 is designed to implement the above methods.

Claims

1. A drive device for driving components of a container handling apparatus, wherein, The drive unit includes at least one sealing element for sealing the internal space of the drive unit and a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system is configured to monitor the wear condition of the sealing element.

2. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein, The monitoring system includes a humidity sensor and is configured to determine the wear condition of the sealing element based on the humidity value in the internal space determined by the humidity sensor.

3. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The monitoring system includes sensors for determining operating parameters of the drive unit, and is configured to determine operating parameters of the drive unit that are associated with the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed.

4. The driving device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The monitoring system is configured to compare the humidity value and / or the operating parameters with a reference humidity value and / or a reference operating parameter value, and determine the wear condition of the sealing element based on the comparison.

5. The driving device according to claim 4, wherein, The monitoring system is configured to compare the wear condition with a reference value and, based on the comparison, output information to the operator that the sealing element must be replaced, or, based on the comparison, output information to the operator including the maintenance time when the sealing element must be replaced.

6. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The drive unit includes a pressure compensation component through which humidity present in the drive unit can be guided out of the drive unit.

7. The drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The drive unit includes a servo motor, and the component includes a turntable disposed on a rotary machine of the container handling equipment, wherein the drive unit is configured to be arranged below the turntable and along the radial direction of the rotary machine.

8. The driving device according to claim 7, wherein, The size of the drive device increases in one direction, wherein the size of the drive device increases in the radial direction when the drive device is arranged below the turntable in the radial direction of the rotary machine.

9. A method for driving components of a container handling device using a driving device, wherein, The drive unit includes at least one sealing element for sealing the internal space of the drive unit and a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system monitors the wear condition of the sealing element.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The monitoring system includes a humidity sensor and determines the wear condition of the sealing element based on the humidity value in the internal space determined by the humidity sensor.

11. The method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein, The monitoring system includes sensors for determining operating parameters of the drive unit, and the determined operating parameters are associated with the torque to be applied by the drive unit to achieve a specific rotational speed.

12. The method according to any one of claim 10 or 11, wherein, The monitoring system compares the humidity value and / or the operating parameters with a reference humidity value and / or a reference operating parameter value, and determines the wear state of the sealing element based on the comparison.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The monitoring system compares the wear condition with a reference value and outputs information to the operator that the sealing element must be replaced based on the comparison, or outputs information to the operator including the maintenance time when the sealing element must be replaced based on the comparison.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein, The drive unit includes a pressure compensation component through which humidity present in the drive unit is guided out of the drive unit.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, The drive device includes a servo motor, and the component includes a turntable disposed on a rotary machine of the container handling equipment, wherein the drive device is arranged below the turntable and along the radial direction of the rotary machine, wherein, optionally, the size of the drive device increases in one direction, wherein the size of the drive device increases in the radial direction when the drive device is arranged below the turntable along the radial direction of the rotary machine.

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