Box Lid Opening Machine with Conical Guide Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can lid opening machines face issues with lids remaining attached to the machine due to manufacturing tolerances and deformations, leading to jamming and uncertainty in opening, requiring machine immobilization during the emptying process.
Innovation Solution
A can lid opening machine with a movable press and a guide ring that centers and detaches the lid, combined with sensors for precise tool positioning, ensures immediate lid detachment and reduces jamming risks, allowing for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toothed circular crown is used to detach the lid from the box, then the lid can be opened, but the detached lid remains attached to the machine during the emptying process, requiring machine immobilization
Solution Approach 1:
The lid detachment function is separated from the machine structure. Instead of the lid remaining attached to the machine, it is pushed back into the box, segmenting the lid from the processing system and allowing continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the lid being pushed out of the box by the machine, the invention inverts the action by pushing the lid back into the box after detachment. This inversion prevents the lid from interfering with subsequent operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If significant tolerances are accepted in can manufacture, then more cans can be processed, but many cans remain stuck on the machine due to deformations
Solution Approach 1:
A conical surface is introduced to guide and center the box. The conical geometry provides self-centering action that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and deformations, reducing jamming risks while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the guiding surface from flat to conical. This parameter change creates a self-aligning mechanism that accommodates variations in can dimensions and deformations.
3Device complexity
If the lid detachment position is not precisely controlled, then the opening process is simpler, but there are uncertainties about the actual opening of the box
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are introduced to detect the position of the tool and provide feedback for precise control of the lid detachment process. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate opening while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical positioning is supplemented or replaced with sensor-based detection and control. The sensors substitute for complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, achieving precision through detection and control rather than purely mechanical means.
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 ensures the lid is promptly detached and the machine can process another can without immobilization, reducing jamming and ensuring accurate opening, facilitating efficient emptying of nuclear fuel powder containers.
Implementation Method 1
the movable assembly being biased towards the box by at least one spring
Implementation Method 2
a conical surface for guiding the box for centering
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This machine for opening a box comprises a lower ring (30) for guiding and centring the top of the box, which is of unitary structure, comprising both a bevelled centring face (32) and an upper limit face (33). A plunger (18) located inside the tool (14, 15) for cutting the lid of the box is pushed down by a spring (21) which extends down far enough to detach the cut lid from the tool (15). The lid remains in the box during the operations of inverting and emptying the contents.