Adjustable Discharge Rail for Preform Transport Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for adjusting the height setting between transport devices in a transport section for preforms, such as discharge rails and roller sorters, require manual and time-consuming adjustments for changes in preform size or type, leading to significant changeover times and downtimes, and lack precise fine-tuning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing the outlet unit of the first transport device to be freely movable relative to the second transport device, connected via an adjustment unit with a movable carriage and digital display, enabling precise height and width adjustments with acoustic and haptic feedback, ensuring smooth transfer and stability of preforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the discharge rail is firmly connected to the roller sorter via a cross guide, then structural stability is ensured, but changeover time increases significantly requiring manual loosening and retightening for each preform size change
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge rail is made dynamically adjustable through a carriage system with guide rods and adjustment screws, allowing quick height changes between preform sizes without manual loosening and retightening of firm connections. The system transitions from a static firm connection to a dynamic adjustable connection that maintains stability during operation while enabling rapid reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into separate adjustable components including the carriage, guide rods, and adjustment screws, allowing independent adjustment of the discharge rail height without affecting the overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables localized adjustments for different preform sizes while maintaining global system stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the cross guide is used for height changes, then adaptability to different preform sizes is achieved, but adjustment precision decreases due to lack of fine-tuning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment screw incorporates a ratchet mechanism that provides tactile feedback and acoustic clicks at predetermined intervals, enabling the operator to achieve precise height adjustments with reproducibility. The feedback mechanism allows fine-tuning of the discharge rail height to within millimeter accuracy, ensuring optimal alignment for different preform sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual adjustment process is enhanced by replacing simple mechanical loosening/tightening with a threaded adjustment screw mechanism that provides controlled, incremental adjustments. This substitution transforms coarse manual adjustment into precise mechanical adjustment with repeatable positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outlet unit is firmly fixed to the roller sorter, then positioning stability is maintained, but adjustment flexibility is lost requiring tool-assisted manual repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet unit's connection to the roller sorter is transformed from a static firm fixation to a dynamic adjustable mounting via the carriage system. The guide rods and adjustment screws enable the outlet unit to be easily repositioned vertically while maintaining stable positioning during operation, achieving both flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary component between the discharge rail and the roller sorter, providing a mounting interface that combines easy adjustability with operational stability. The carriage system mediates between the need for flexible repositioning and the requirement for stable positioning during preform conveyance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for adjusting at least the height between a first transport unit (10) and a second transport unit (20) in a transport line for preforms for plastic containers. The first transport unit (10) comprises at least one discharge unit (12) for receiving preforms (13) from the second transport unit (20) and a rail unit (11) for further transporting the preforms (13). The discharge unit (12) is connected to the rail unit (11) and is freely movable relative to the second transport unit (20). Furthermore, the first and second transport units (10, 20) are connected to each other via an adjustment unit (30), whereby the height of at least the discharge unit (12) relative to the second transport unit (20) can be adjusted by means of the adjustment unit (30).