Bottle Gripper Mechanism with V-Shape Rotary Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle conveyor mechanisms for filling machines face challenges in changing the direction of bottle-gripping plates, require high motor power due to heavy loads, and have complex mechanisms for bottle handling, which hinders efficiency and simplifies the structure.
Innovation Solution
A novel bottle conveyor with pairs of bottle-gripping members capable of opening and closing, utilizing an open-close modular mechanism with a V-shape rotary support, synchronization mechanism, elastic mechanism, and external force import mechanism to simplify the structure and reduce motor load, allowing for efficient bottle conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bottle-gripping plates are placed on circulating chain conveyor mechanism to clamp and suspend bottles, then bottles can be conveyed forward, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires high motor power due to heavy load
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle-gripping function is segmented from the conveyor chain. Instead of having all bottle-gripping plates on the circulating chain, the invention uses discrete bottle-gripping members mounted on individual convey chains that can open and close independently. This segmentation simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining conveyance efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle-gripping members are made dynamic through the open-close modular mechanism. The grippers can open and close based on bottle presence, allowing the system to adapt its load and operation mode. This dynamic capability reduces the required motor power compared to a system that must continuously support all grippers in a closed position.
2Reliability
If circulating chain conveyor mechanism is loaded with bottle-gripping plates, then bottles can be clamped and suspended, but motor power requirements increase due to heavy load
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle-gripping members operate periodically rather than continuously. They open when no bottle is present and close when a bottle is detected, creating a periodic action pattern. This reduces the average power consumption and motor load compared to continuous clamping, while maintaining reliable bottle handling during the active clamping phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic mechanism provides self-restoring force for the opened V-shape configuration, reducing the power needed to maintain the open position. The system uses its own elastic energy storage to assist in the gripping and releasing actions, thereby reducing the external motor power requirements while maintaining reliable clamping when needed.
3Productivity
If bottle-gripping members are mounted to perform opening and closing actions, then conveyance efficiency improves, but mechanism complexity increases without proper modular design
Solution Approach 1:
The open-close modular mechanism is designed as a universal module that can be applied to multiple bottle-gripping members along the conveyor. This standardized multi-functional module handles both the opening and closing actions for different positions, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each gripper. The modular design allows for easier maintenance and scalability.
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 enhances conveyance efficiency and speed, reduces motor loading, and simplifies the structure of the filling machine by enabling rapid opening and closing of bottle-gripping members on the circulating chain conveyor mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic mechanism configured to provide a bottle-gripping force to the bottle-gripping member and a self-restoring force for the opened V-shape
Implementation Method 2
the external force import mechanism uses a pair of rolling members
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bottle conveyor for a filling machine, comprising multiple pairs of bottle-gripping members and a circulating chain conveyor mechanism, and a pair of bottle-gripping members is mounted, via an open-close modular mechanism, to a convey chain of the circulating chain conveyor mechanism. The open-close modular mechanism is provided with a rotary support capable of being opened as a V-shape, a synchronization mechanism configured to define the opened V-shape, an elastic mechanism configured to provide a bottle-gripping force to the bottle-gripping member and a self-restoring force for the opened V-shape, and an external force import mechanism. A mechanism configured to open the bottle-gripping members is provided respectively at a bottle entrance location and a bottle exit location of the bottle conveyor, and the mechanism configured to open the bottle-gripping members cooperates with the external force import mechanism to provide an external force. The bottle conveyor can rapidly open or close the bottle-gripping members on the circulating chain conveyor mechanism directly, thus improving the conveyance efficiency and speed, alleviating loading of a motor, and simplifying the structure of a robotic arm and the structure for opening or closing the bottle-gripping members in the filling machine.