Barb-Driven Bottle Pushing Mechanism for Tunnel Sterilizing Dryers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tunnel type sterilizing dryers face issues with frictional inefficiencies leading to contamination and damage during the handling of medicine bottles, as the friction between the mesh belt and bottles decreases with fewer bottles, causing sliding friction and potential contamination when manually pushing bottles, and the heavy bottle pushing plates complicate sterilization and lead to environmental pollution and scratches.

Innovation Solution

A bottle pushing mechanism featuring a barb connected to a bottle pushing block and a tension spring, which moves along the mesh belt, allowing for efficient bottle movement and automatic adjustment to prevent damage, with a hinge connection and inverted triangle shape to manage resistance and maintain reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a heavy bottle pushing plate is used to push medicine bottles, then the bottles can be pushed out from the dryer, but the plate cannot be sterilized effectively and contaminates the sterilized bottles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushing forceVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle pushing mechanism is divided into multiple independent bottle pushing blocks (2) that are distributed along the transmitting mesh belt (1). Each block independently pushes bottles, replacing the single heavy plate. This segmentation allows lightweight components to achieve collective pushing effectiveness while maintaining sterilization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy mechanical bottle pushing plate is replaced with a lightweight mechanism using barbs (5) that engage with the mesh belt (1) to provide pushing force through mechanical engagement rather than relying on the weight of a large plate. The barbs connect to bottle pushing blocks that move with the mesh belt, substituting gravitational force with mesh belt-driven mechanical force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If friction driving is used on the transition plate, then bottles can be transmitted, but when few bottles remain, sliding friction occurs causing bottles to stay on the belt and transition plate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottle transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcomplete bottle discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle pushing blocks (2) act as intermediary elements between the transmitting mesh belt (1) and the medicine bottles. These blocks engage bottles directly to provide reliable pushing force, ensuring complete bottle discharge even when only a few bottles remain, eliminating the sliding friction problem that occurs with direct belt-bottle contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual pushing of bottles is performed, then remaining bottles can be removed, but the sterilized bottles are contaminated again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete bottle dischargeVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle pushing blocks (2) automatically push remaining bottles off the transition plate (4) as the mesh belt (1) continues its cyclic motion. The mechanism serves itself by using the ongoing belt movement to activate the pushing action, eliminating the need for manual intervention and preventing contamination of sterilized bottles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Force

If friction between mesh belt and bottles is insufficient, then bottles remain on the belt, but providing more friction with a heavy plate causes scratching and pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction forceVSAvoidscratches and dust

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle pushing blocks (2) serve as intermediary components that transfer force from the mesh belt (1) to the bottles without requiring high friction between the belt and bottles. The blocks engage bottles directly, providing sufficient pushing force through mechanical contact rather than relying on friction, thus preventing scratches and dust generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 mechanism ensures reliable and efficient bottle pushing with reduced risk of contamination and damage, maintaining the cleanliness and appearance quality of medicine bottles while preventing scratching and pollution.

Implementation Method 1

A first end of the barb is connected with a first end of a tension spring, and a second end of the tension spring is fixed on the bottle pushing block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the barb is connected with the bottle pushing block, the bottle pushing block moves along with the transmitting mesh belt by the barb

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8931627B2Bottle pushing mechanism for tunnel type sterilizing dryer

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 TRUKING TECH LTD

AI summary

A bottle pushing mechanism for a tunnel type sterilizing dryer, includes a bottle pushing block (2) and at least one barb (5) cooperated with meshes of a transmitting mesh belt (1). The barb (5) is connected with the bottle pushing block (2). The bottle pushing block (2) could move along with the transmitting mesh belt (1) by the barb (5). The bottle pushing mechanism has a simple and compact structure, convenient installation, high reliability, good transmitting effect and no pollution.