Integrated Anti-Rotation Guide Rod for Cylinder Piston

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container lifting devices in filling systems require external anti-rotation mechanisms, which increase complexity, cleaning effort, and installation space, and often necessitate external cam controls that apply high torques and require robust structural reinforcement.

Innovation Solution

A device with an anti-rotation mechanism integrated within the cylinder housing, utilizing a guide rod or sliding block to prevent piston rod rotation, allowing for a compact, hygienic design with reduced external components and eliminating the need for external anti-rotation devices and lifting cams, enabling direct control of the lifting mechanism via a double-acting piston.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an external anti-rotation device is used to prevent piston rod rotation, then the container lifting device can prevent rotation and intercept centrifugal forces, but the device complexity and number of external components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-rotation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of external components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation device is integrated into the cylinder housing structure, merging the anti-rotation function with the existing cylinder assembly. The guide rod is arranged within the cylinder housing, eliminating the need for separate external anti-rotation components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable rotation prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an external anti-rotation device is installed, then rotation prevention is achieved, but the installation space and structural volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation preventionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rod of the anti-rotation device is nested within the cylinder housing, with the guide rod arranged in the lifting direction inside the existing cylinder structure. This nesting approach allows the anti-rotation function to be embedded within the current structural volume, eliminating the need for additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If external cam control is used to control lifting movement, then the lifting trajectory can be controlled, but high torques are applied requiring robust structural reinforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting trajectory controlVSAvoidstructural reinforcement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The external cam control mechanism is replaced with a double-acting piston system that provides direct control of the lifting movement. The piston can be actively controlled to move along a predetermined trajectory, eliminating the need for massive lifting cams and reducing the torque requirements on the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If multiple external components are used including anti-rotation devices and cam controls, then the lifting function is achieved, but the cleaning effort and hygiene implementation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting functionVSAvoidcleaning effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation device and cylinder housing are merged into a single integrated unit, reducing the number of separate external components that require cleaning. This integration minimizes the total surface area that needs to be cleaned and sterilized, improving hygiene implementation in the filling device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the structural volume, simplifies the design, minimizes cleaning effort, and allows for a more compact filling device with reduced torque requirements, enhancing operational reliability and hygiene by integrating anti-rotation and media guides within the cylinder housing.

Implementation Method 1

an anti-rotation device to prevent the piston rod from rotating relative to the cylinder housing... the anti-twist device is accommodated in the cylinder housing and comprises a guide rod arranged in the cylinder housing and extending in the lifting direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 2

a sliding block arranged in the cylinder housing... the anti-twist device is accommodated in the cylinder housing and comprises a guide rod arranged in the cylinder housing and extending in the lifting direction or a sliding block arranged in the cylinder housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2669243B1Device for lifting containers

Publication Date: 2016.10.19 KRONES AG

Figure 1
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AI summary

The device (1) has cylindrical housing (20) that accommodates piston (22) connected with piston rod (24) for transmitting reciprocating motion to container. An anti-rotation device (4) is accommodated in cylindrical housing for preventing rotation of piston rod with respect to cylindrical housing.