Adjustable Emptying Magazine for Rod-Shaped Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emptying magazines for rod-shaped products, particularly in the tobacco processing industry, are complex in design and result in uneven product flow, leading to mechanical stress and inefficiencies during the emptying process.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable emptying magazine design that allows for independent adjustment of the angle of inclination and distance between the conveying element and flow control elements based on product diameter, ensuring a consistent product flow path and reducing mechanical stress through even layering and distribution, with all flow control elements arranged on a vertically adjustable carrier for simplified adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between flow control elements and conveying element is adjusted by changing the contour of flow control elements, then the emptying magazine can adapt to different product diameters, but the construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow control elements movable rather than fixed. The flow control elements can be adjusted in position along the conveying element to change the channel width, allowing adaptation to different product diameters without redesigning the entire structure. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing versatility through movement rather than through complex fixed contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow control system into multiple independently adjustable flow control elements. Each element can be positioned separately to create the desired channel configuration. This segmentation allows flexible adaptation to different product diameters while maintaining a simple basic structure, avoiding the need for complex integrated contours.
2Productivity
If multiple flow control elements form parallel vertical channels opening into a horizontal channel, then products can be transported continuously, but the emptying process becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of parallel vertical channels to a three-dimensional configuration where channels converge at an angle. The flow control elements are positioned to create channels that meet at an inclined angle rather than opening horizontally into a common channel. This dimensional change in the channel arrangement ensures that products from different vertical channels follow similar paths, achieving uniform emptying while maintaining continuous transport capability.
3Device complexity
If the conveying element is arranged horizontally, then the structure is simple, but products experience mechanical stress and uneven flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by arranging the conveying element at an inclined angle rather than horizontally. This asymmetric configuration causes products from different positions in the vertical channels to naturally converge toward the same discharge point, creating more uniform flow paths and reducing mechanical stress. The asymmetric inclination angle optimizes the emptying process while maintaining relatively simple structure.
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 design achieves a more even and controlled product flow, enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of the emptying process while supporting automatic format changes and minimizing product rolling, thereby reducing mechanical stress and improving the overall efficiency of the emptying process.
Implementation Method 1
The inclined conveying element ensures that all products, regardless of their position within the tray or shaft tray, take almost the same path until they reach the conveying element
Data Source
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AI summary
The magazine (10) has a flow controlling element (19, 21) arranged within a receiving space (11) forming two vertical adjusted canals (20). Another canal (18) forms a conveying element (17) for evacuating a product in relation to the receiving space and/or is inclination-arranged in the flow controlling element. An inclination angle and distance between the conveying element and the flow controlling element are adjusted depending on diameter of the product by adjustment of the flow controlling element under retention of contour and/or conveying element. An independent claim is also included for a method for emptying box that is filled with rod-shaped product.