Adjustable Clamping Starwheel for Container Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container transport systems face challenges in ensuring safe and flexible transport of containers, particularly in maintaining consistent grip and avoiding damage to containers and applied labels during transfer between star clamps.

Innovation Solution

A pair of adjustable star clamps with a lower and upper ring of clamps, connected via an adjustable axis, allows for synchronized adjustment to maintain consistent grip positions and minimize interference, with spring-loaded clips and levers ensuring secure and gentle grasping, and offset clamping to prevent overlapping and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between upper and lower clamp rings is adjusted to accommodate different container lengths, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to adjustable mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different container lengthsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp star employs adjustable clamp rings that can dynamically change their distance from each other to accommodate different container lengths. The adjustable axis allows the upper and lower clamp rings to be positioned at optimal distances for various container sizes, making the system adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp star is divided into separable components including the upper clamp ring, lower clamp ring, and adjustable axis. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component's position, enabling flexible adaptation to different container dimensions while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If multiple clamps grip the container simultaneously, then gripping force is improved, but risk of overlapping and malfunction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidrisk of clamp overlapping and malfunction

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp design employs asymmetric positioning where clamps on the upper ring and lower ring are deliberately offset from each other. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when multiple clamps grip the container simultaneously, they engage at different positions along the container surface, preventing overlap and the associated malfunctions while maintaining sufficient gripping force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If clamps grip higher on the container to secure closure, then container security is improved, but risk of damaging closure and labels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer securityVSAvoiddamage to closure and labels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp star applies different gripping characteristics at different locations on the container. The upper clamp ring engages higher on the container near the closure to provide security, while the lower clamp ring engages lower down where labels are applied. This local differentiation allows secure gripping without concentrating excessive force on sensitive areas like the closure and labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements integrated into the clamp mechanism provide cushioning force that prevents excessive gripping pressure. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even when clamps engage near the closure, the spring-loaded mechanism absorbs excess force and prevents damage to the closure and labels while maintaining adequate securing pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables safe, flexible, and damage-free transport of containers by maintaining consistent grip positions, avoiding interference with applied labels and ensuring stable transfer without excessive pressure, thus preventing damage to containers and labels.

Implementation Method 1

each clip of the upper clip ring is assigned a spring element that prestresses the clip into an open position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a pair of star clamps... suitable for gripping containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2796394B1Adjustable clamping starwheel

Publication Date: 2016.05.25 KRONES AG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an adjustable clamping starwheel including a lower clamping ring and an upper clamping ring having a plurality of clamps, wherein the lower clamping ring and the upper clamping ring are suitable for clamping a container in an upper area and a lower area. The upper clamping ring can be supported to change the distance between the upper clamping ring and the lower clamping ring. The invention also relates to the adjustable clamping starwheel and a method utilizing the starwheel to transfer the container.