Bottle Cell Holder Joints for Tolerance-Driven Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bottle cell carriers in bottle cleaning machines experience high stresses and wear due to manufacturing tolerances and changing loads, leading to hairline cracks and breakage.

Innovation Solution

A bottle cell carrier design with a mechanical connecting device allowing relative movement between the side parts and roller chains, incorporating lightweight cutouts and universal or ball joints to decouple force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid two-bolt fastening is used between the roller chain and bottle cell carrier, then the connection strength is improved, but the stress concentration and risk of breakage increase due to manufacturing tolerances and changing loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidrisk of breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid two-bolt fastening with a dynamic connection system that includes at least one universal joint and at least one ball joint. These joints enable the bottle cell carrier to move relative to the roller chain, absorbing stresses caused by manufacturing tolerances and changing loads during operation, thereby preventing stress concentration and breakage while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If a rigid connection is used between the side parts and roller chain, then the force transmission is improved, but the wear and stress on the bottle cell carrier increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidwear and stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces universal joints and ball joints as intermediary elements between the roller chain and bottle cell carrier. These intermediaries enable force transmission while accommodating relative movements and reducing stress concentration, thereby decreasing wear and stress on the bottle cell carrier during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing tolerances are present in the chain guide and bottle cell carrier, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stress distribution becomes uneven leading to high stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing tolerance accommodationVSAvoidstress distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal joints and ball joints that provide dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the chain guide and bottle cell carrier. This dynamic connection ensures even stress distribution by accommodating dimensional variations while maintaining proper force transmission during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces high stresses and wear, preventing hairline cracks and breakage by enabling flexible movement and distributing loads effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The mechanical connecting device can comprise, for example, a universal joint or a ball joint. Such joints can enable angular movement around two perpendicular axes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUniversal joint:

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical connecting device can comprise, for example, a universal joint or a ball joint. Such joints can enable angular movement around two perpendicular axes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint:

Data Source

PatentEP4596126A1Bottle cell holder for a bottle cleaning machine and a bottle cleaning machine comprising at least one bottle cell holder
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 KRONES AG
  • EP4596126A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596126A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596126A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a bottle cell carrier (1) for a bottle cleaning machine, which is designed to be transported through the bottle cleaning machine by means of roller chains and comprises at least one support bar (2) with a plurality of bottle cell receptacles (3) for receiving bottle cells (4) and two side parts (5) connected to the at least one support bar (2). The bottle cell carrier further comprises a mechanical connecting device (18) for each side part (5), which is designed to enable a relative movement between the side part (5) and the roller chain after the side part (5) and a roller chain of the bottle cleaning machine have been connected by means of the mechanical connecting device (18). The invention further relates to a bottle cleaning machine comprising at least one bottle cell carrier (1) and roller chains for transporting the bottle cell carriers (1) through the bottle cleaning machine.