Air Nozzle Orientation for Sorting Cylindrical Preforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for sorting incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies, such as preforms for hollow bodies, face challenges in reliably detecting and ejecting preforms with large head diameters, which often result in operational disruptions due to insufficient surface area for air flow interaction.
Innovation Solution
The device employs laterally arranged air nozzles with adjustable air flow axes and multiple air outlet openings, combined with a deflection element and optoelectronic sensors, to effectively detect and eject incorrectly positioned preforms by generating a strong, elongated air flow that can capture preforms with large head diameters and nested configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air nozzles are used to eject incorrectly positioned preforms, then preforms can be sorted out reliably, but preforms with large head diameters cannot be captured because they do not offer sufficient surface area for the air flow to attack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the air nozzle from a lateral position to an upper position, directing the air flow vertically downward onto the preforms. This dimensional change in the air flow direction enables effective capture of preforms with large head diameters that were previously resistant to lateral air flow, while maintaining reliable ejection of incorrectly positioned preforms.
2Productivity
If the air flow is directed laterally against the preforms, then sorting can be achieved, but preforms with large head diameters resist the air flow due to insufficient attack surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the air flow system by repositioning the nozzle from lateral to upper orientation, and adjusting the air flow direction to be vertically downward. This parameter change increases the effectiveness of the air flow force on preforms with large head diameters, enabling successful ejection while maintaining high sorting efficiency.
3Productivity
If preforms are transported through a roller conveyor, then high conveying capacity is achieved, but incorrectly positioned preforms cannot be detected and ejected, causing system disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection and ejection of incorrectly positioned preforms while they are still on the roller conveyor, before they can cause disruptions in subsequent system areas. The air nozzle is positioned to act on preforms during their transport, enabling proactive removal of defective items and maintaining both high conveying capacity and operational reliability.
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
This solution enhances the reliability and adaptability of the sorting process, ensuring high-security ejection of incorrectly positioned preforms, even those with large head diameters, by providing a larger contact area and adjustable air flow angles, thereby minimizing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a blow-out device (17) having two air nozzles (19, 20), the axis of the air stream (31, 33) of which is oriented obliquely and parallel to a fictitious plane (35) which is laid through the two axes (23, 24) of the rollers (6, 7)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a separating and conveying unit, in which a device for sorting out incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies (1), such as preforms for hollow bodies, is arranged. Said device comprises a roller sorter (5) having rollers (6, 7) and air nozzles (19, 20) arranged laterally adjacent to the rollers (6, 7). Incorrectly positioned cylindrical bodies (1) are blown out of the roller sorter (5) by means of said air nozzles (19, 20). The air nozzles (19, 20) can be pivoted and at least one of the air flows (31) escaping from the air nozzles (19, 20) is directed at the cylindrical body (1) at an angle of attack (38).