Bottle Laying Plant with Vacuum Gripper for Tête-Bêche Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle laying plants for a tête-bêche arrangement are mechanically complex, inflexible, and require frequent device replacements due to specific bottle format configurations, leading to increased costs, weight, and extended downtimes.
Innovation Solution
The plant is divided into separate systems for bottle positioning and transferring, allowing each to be optimized for specific functions, using vacuum suction cups and robotic arms for adaptable handling and reduced mechanical complexity, enabling flexible format changes without increasing mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable gripper device with mechanical clamps is used to lay bottles in tête-bêche arrangement, then the bottles can be gripped and positioned, but the device becomes mechanically complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamp system with a vacuum suction cup system. Instead of using mechanical clamps that rotate and grip bottles physically, the invention uses vacuum suction cups mounted on a movable gripper device to hold bottles. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical rotation and clamping mechanisms while achieving the same bottle handling function through vacuum adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic vacuum suction cups to grip and transfer bottles. The vacuum system uses air pressure differential to hold bottles on the suction cups, replacing the mechanical force-based clamping system. This pneumatic approach simplifies the gripper device structure by eliminating mechanical joints, springs, and rotation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the movable gripper device is configured for a specific bottle format, then it can handle that format effectively, but it cannot adapt to other formats without replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the gripper device adaptable to different bottle formats by allowing dynamic adjustment of the vacuum suction cup configuration. The movable gripper device can be repositioned and reconfigured for different bottle sizes and shapes without complete replacement. The vacuum system adapts to various bottle surfaces and geometries, enabling the same device to handle multiple formats effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum suction cup system serves multiple functions across different bottle formats. Instead of having specialized clamps for each bottle type, the universal vacuum gripper can adapt to various bottle shapes, sizes, and materials by adjusting suction pressure and cup positioning, making the device multi-functional and format-agnostic.
3Reliability
If the movable gripper device is replaced for format changes, then the correct device is used, but machine stops and operator interventions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gripper device with vacuum suction cups can be dynamically reconfigured for different bottle formats during operation. Instead of requiring complete device replacement, the system allows quick adjustment of suction cup positions and vacuum pressure levels to accommodate format changes, maintaining operational continuity and reducing downtime.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the movable gripper device is made adaptable to multiple formats, then format flexibility improves, but the device becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical clamp system with a vacuum suction cup system, the patent achieves format adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity. The vacuum system naturally adapts to different bottle geometries through pressure distribution, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms that would be required with clamp-based systems.
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
This separation simplifies the mechanical structure, reduces downtime, and allows for efficient handling and transfer of bottles in different formats, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing the need for device replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The plant comprises a movable bottle gripper head (41) comprising a plurality of vacuum suction cups (34, 43) distributed on two parallel rows L1 and L2
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a bottle laying plant with a tête-bêche arrangement comprising: - a device 10 for receiving bottles in input in vertical position, connectible to a bottle transport line; - a line for laying bottles 20 in containers; - a system 30 for laying in a tête-bêche configuration one or more groups of bottles received from said reception device 10; and - a device 40 for transferring one or more groups of bottles in a tête-bêche configuration from said positioning system to said laying line. The bottle positioning system 30 is structurally and functionally separate from said bottle transferring device 40.