Actuating Assembly Motion Stabilization in Glassware Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating assemblies for glassware forming machines experience vibrations and wear due to sudden pressure changes and geometry-related obstacles, leading to inefficient displacement and safety concerns, such as fire risks from flammable lubricants in hot zones, and limitations in reducing displacement times for increased production rates.

Innovation Solution

An actuating assembly with a pneumatic jack and a cam and tappet device, where a hydraulic damping cartridge is housed within a hollow rod to stabilize motion, controlling piston speed and preventing pressure variations, and is positioned to protect from heat sources, with a lubricating oil circuit integrated for cost savings and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a hydraulic damping cartridge is positioned near the forming mold for motion control, then motion stability is improved, but fire risk increases due to proximity of flammable lubricant oil to hot zones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion stabilityVSAvoidfire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic damping cartridge is extracted from its traditional position near the forming mold and relocated to the hollow rod of the pneumatic jack, removing the fire hazard (flammable lubricant oil) from the hot zone while preserving motion control functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic damping cartridge is nested within the hollow rod of the pneumatic jack, placing one component inside another to achieve space-efficient arrangement while isolating flammable materials from heat sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cam ramp section is designed to control descent, then motion control is improved, but sudden pressure variations occur causing vibrations and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion controlVSAvoidcomponent wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic damping cartridge acts as an intermediary between the pneumatic actuator and the operative member, mediating pressure variations and smoothing motion transitions to eliminate vibrations and reduce wear on cam and tappet components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic damping cartridge dynamically adjusts damping parameters during the descent phase, controlling piston speed and pressure variations to maintain smooth motion through the cam ramp section without causing sudden shocks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If displacement time is reduced to increase production rate, then productivity is improved, but motion control and vibration damping become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidmotion control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic damping cartridge provides dynamic motion control with adjustable damping forces that adapt to different phases of the cycle, enabling faster displacement times while maintaining vibration control and motion precision throughout the reduced cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 smooth, controlled displacement with reduced wear and vibrations, enhanced safety by isolating flammable oils from heat sources, and increased production rates by maintaining consistent translation speed and reducing cycle times.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic means for stabilizing the motion of said supporting shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

hydraulic means for stabilizing the motion of said supporting shaft; controlling piston speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

a pneumatic jack for displacing said shaft along said axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 4

a cam and tappet device for rotating the shaft in opposite directions about said axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 5

The cam device is lubricated by means of oil accommodated in the tubular body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2881372B1Actuating assembly for moving an operative member of a glassware forming machine
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 BOTTERO SPA
  • EP2881372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2881372B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2881372B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a glassware forming machine (1), an actuating assembly (6) of an operative member (5) has a connecting frame (9); a shaft (10) for supporting the operative member (5) coupled to the connecting frame (10) to translate and rotate about a fixed axis (12) thereof; a pneumatic jack (30) for displacing the supporting shaft (10) along the axis (12) provided with a rod (28,29) connected to the supporting shaft (10); a cam and tappet device (25) for rotating the supporting shaft (10) in opposite directions about the axis (12); and a hydraulic device (35) for stabilizing the motion of the shaft (10); the rod (28,29) having at least one hollow portion (29) for housing the hydraulic motion stabilizing device (35).