Bag Filling Station Positioning Device for Inertia Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bag filling systems experience unwanted mechanical loads and oscillation due to mass inertia during transport, leading to inefficient filling processes and increased complexity and cost in preventing swinging of bag sections at filling stations.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device with transverse positioning elements attached to the filling station frame, which extend below the filling hopper to stabilize the bottom section of the bag, preventing further oscillation and ensuring precise positioning for the filling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a gripping device transports bag sections in cycles with acceleration and braking, then the bag sections can be moved between stations, but the bottom end of the bag section swings due to mass inertia causing unwanted mechanical loads and positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport speedVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device applies a counteracting force in advance to prevent the harmful swinging motion caused by mass inertia during braking. The positioning elements are arranged to actively counterbalance the inertial forces before they can cause significant deviation, thereby maintaining stable positioning despite the cyclic acceleration and braking of the gripping device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device acts as an intermediary between the gripping device and the bag section. It absorbs and compensates for the harmful effects of acceleration and braking, providing a stable reference frame for the bag section during transport. The positioning elements serve as mediators that decouple the motion disturbances from the bag section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If cleats are arranged on the conveyor belt to prevent bag section swinging, then positioning stability can be improved, but the system becomes very complex and cost-intensive with larger installation space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device is divided into separate positioning elements that are independently attachable to the station frame. Each positioning element can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing for modular installation and maintenance. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity compared to an integrated cleat system on the conveyor belt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complexity in the horizontal transport dimension (cleats on conveyor belt), the solution moves the positioning function to the vertical dimension by attaching positioning elements below the filling hopper. These elements extend downward to engage with the bottom end of the bag section, providing stabilization without interfering with the horizontal conveyor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the bag section is positioned obliquely under the filling hopper due to swinging, then filling can proceed, but undesired mechanical loads are applied to individual areas of the bag section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling throughputVSAvoidmechanical loads
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device performs preliminary positioning of the bag section before the filling process begins. By ensuring the bag section is correctly positioned and stabilized in advance, the device prevents oblique positioning that would lead to concentrated mechanical loads during filling. The positioning elements engage with the bottom end of the bag section to establish proper alignment before material is introduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively reduces unwanted mechanical loads and stabilizes the bag section, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective filling process by maintaining the bag's position during transport and filling, thereby enhancing the overall operation of the bag filling system.

Implementation Method 1

the mass inertia causes the bottom end of the sack section to swing further

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass inertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2810881B1Station of a bag filling installation station for filling with bulk material
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP2810881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2810881B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2810881B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a station (170), in particular a filling station (10), of a bag filling system (100) for filling with bulk material, comprising a positioning device (20) for positioning a bottom section (212) of a bag section (210) of a film web (200), comprising a first positioning element (22) and a second positioning element (24), wherein the two positioning elements (22, 24) are attached to a frame (40) of the station (170), in particular the filling station (10), via fastening interfaces (30), and wherein the two positioning elements (22, 24) each have at least one positioning section (22a, 24a) which extend transversely to the transport direction (T) of the bag section (210) through the station (170), in particular the filling station (10), and are arranged within the station (170), in particular below a filling hopper (50) of the filling station (10).