Adjustable Containing Apparatus for Flexible Package Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic packaging machines face challenges in efficiently adjusting to different bundle sizes and configurations, leading to prolonged downtimes and increased risk of jamming, as they require mechanical cutting of support planes and struggle to maintain package alignment and compactness during various operations.
Innovation Solution
A containing apparatus with adjustable support parts and movement mechanisms that allow for flexible adjustment of the compartment dimensions and positioning to accommodate varying bundle sizes and configurations, minimizing the need for mechanical cutting and reducing the risk of jamming by enabling rapid size changes and stable package containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical cutting operation is performed on the support plane to adjust for different bundle sizes, then the containing apparatus can adapt to different predetermined volumes, but the system experiences prolonged downtime and increased risk of jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The support plane is made adjustable in position along the first direction, allowing dynamic reconfiguration for different bundle sizes without mechanical cutting. The first part can be located in different slots on the support plane, enabling rapid adaptation to various predetermined volumes while maintaining system continuity and avoiding downtime associated with cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The support plane is divided into multiple slots, allowing the first part to be repositioned to different locations. This segmentation enables flexible configuration for different bundle sizes without requiring mechanical modification of the support plane itself, thus eliminating cutting operations and associated downtime
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slots are provided on the support plane for first part positioning, then different bundle sizes can be accommodated, but the support plane becomes weaker and jamming risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different slots on the support plane are designed with specific characteristics optimized for particular bundle configurations. The first part can be selectively positioned in slots that provide appropriate support and containment for the specific bundle size and shape being processed, maintaining reliability while enabling versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The first part acts as an intermediary element between the support plane and the packages. By repositioning the first part to different slots, the system adapts to various bundle configurations without requiring the support plane itself to be modified, thus maintaining structural integrity while achieving adaptability
3Productivity
If the first part is kept smaller than the second part to facilitate package movement and gripping, then operational efficiency is improved, but maintaining central positioning becomes difficult when bundle sizes change
Solution Approach 1:
The first part is designed to be movable along the first direction, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted based on the bundle configuration. This maintains the beneficial size difference between first and second parts for operational efficiency while adapting the first part's location to remain optimally positioned for different bundle sizes and shapes
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~11
Figure 12~15
AI summary
A containing apparatus (10) comprising a support (11, 12, 121, 122) for a group of packages (G1, G2, G3, G4), a first part (21) and a second part (22), being movable between extracted positions, in which they project from respective slots (13, 14) of the support (11, 12, 121, 122), and retracted positions. The slots (13, 14) are arranged in such a way that, in the extracted positions, the first part (21) and the second part (22) contain the packages. The support (11, 12, 121, 122) comprises a first support part (11) and a second support part (12) each with respective slot of the slots (13, 14) of the first part (21) and the second part (22). The first support part (11) is movable with respect to the second support part (12) according to an adjustment direction (R). A movement device (3) moves the first part (21) and the first support part (11) so that they perform the same displacements along the adjustment direction (R). A method and a system are also described.