Bag Sealing Mechanism Using Cable and Spring Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing banknote filling and sealing machines face challenges with the size of sealing blades and their driving mechanisms, which affect operational reliability and can lead to accidental spilling of banknotes during the sealing process.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with vertically movable sealing bars and a kinematic system using cables and tension springs, driven by a motor and pulley mechanism, ensures efficient sealing while minimizing space occupation and preventing banknote spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing blades and driving mechanisms are used, then sealing function is achieved, but the mechanism occupies excessive space and reduces operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional complex mechanical driving mechanism with a pneumatic system. A pneumatic cylinder generates linear motion to drive the sealing bars, eliminating the need for complex linkages, gears, or cam mechanisms. This substitution reduces the size of the driving mechanism, simplifies the overall structure, and improves operational reliability by using a more reliable pneumatic actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate mechanical components from the sealing mechanism. By using pneumatic cylinders directly connected to the sealing bars, the design removes complex transmission elements such as connecting rods, joints, and control linkages, thereby reducing the size and complexity of the driving mechanism while maintaining sealing functionality.
2Reliability
If sealing bars are positioned to ensure reliable sealing, then sealing quality improves, but space for banknote insertion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically positioned sealing bars that can move horizontally along the container opening. The sealing bars are not fixed in position but can be adjusted and moved to optimal locations. This dynamic positioning allows the sealing mechanism to maintain high sealing quality when needed while creating sufficient space for banknote insertion during the filling operation, thus resolving the spatial conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into independent sealing bars that can operate separately and be positioned independently. This segmentation allows the container opening to remain largely open for banknote insertion while sealing bars can be positioned only where needed to seal the bag mouth, maximizing both insertion space and sealing effectiveness.
3Volume of stationary object
If compact sealing mechanism is used, then space occupation is minimized, but operational reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces compact but complex mechanical mechanisms with a pneumatic system that achieves compactness through direct-acting cylinders. The pneumatic cylinders provide reliable, forceful actuation in a compact form factor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages that would increase size without improving reliability. This substitution maintains compactness while enhancing operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for sealing, controls the positioning of sealing bars, and can be integrated with the container structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, achieving compactness without compromising reliability through component consolidation and efficient use of space.
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 apparatus effectively seals bags with minimal space usage and high operational reliability, preventing banknote spillage during the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
a kinematic connection for closing the bars comprised of a combination of cables and tension springs connecting the driving pulley to the sealing bars
Implementation Method 2
a motor for driving a shaft adapted to rotate at least one driving pulley
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for filling and sealing bags intended for containing banknotes includes a generally parallelepiped-shaped container, with side walls, a bottom and an upper lid provided with an opening for allowing entry into the container of a bag, made up of flexible plastic film, and of banknotes intended to be introduced into the same bag. The apparatus includes a pair of sealing bars arranged at the upper end of the container and a system for controlling and moving the bars between their respective opening and closing positions. The control and movement system of the sealing bars has a motor for driving a shaft adapted to rotate at least one driving pulley arranged below in correspondence with a vertical edge of the container, a kinematic connection for closing the bars comprised of a combination of cables and tension springs connecting the driving pulley to the sealing bars and a kinematic connection for opening the bars comprised of a combination of cables and tension springs connecting the sealing bars to a respective fixed anchor point of the container.