Tipping Mechanism for Boxes Using Opposing Arm Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing box tipping systems require a wide rotation of the box (about 180°) and a long arm between the tipping mechanism and the box, leading to a long tipping cycle and potential damage to fragile products.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a movable support and tipping arms that rotate in opposite directions to tilt the box at a smaller angle (between 90° - 150°), allowing immediate tipping without a door and enabling quicker return cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door is used to close the box upper face before tipping, then products are prevented from escaping during rotation, but the tipping cycle time increases and the box must make a wide rotation of about 180°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the door component from the tipping system entirely. Instead of using a door to close the box upper face, the system relies on the box structure itself and the tipping mechanism design to contain and discharge products, thereby eliminating the time required for door operation and reducing the overall tipping cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than closing the box with a door before tipping and then opening it after, the inverted approach allows the box to tip open directly without a door. The box upper face remains open throughout the process, and products are contained through the geometry of the tipping path and chute design rather than mechanical closure.
2Ease of operation
If a long arm is used between the tipping mechanism center of rotation and the box, then the box can be tipped, but the rotation speed is limited due to high mechanical stresses from accelerations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric tipping mechanism where the box is tipped along a curved path rather than a simple arc. The tipping path is designed to optimize the distribution of forces, allowing faster rotation speeds without exceeding mechanical stress limits. The asymmetric geometry of the tipping path enables controlled acceleration and deceleration phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The tipping mechanism transitions from a single-axis rotation to a more complex multi-dimensional motion path. The box follows a curved trajectory that combines rotational and translational components, allowing the system to achieve the tipping function while controlling accelerations and reducing mechanical stresses on the arm.
3Productivity
If a wide rotation of about 180° is performed to empty the box on the door, then products are discharged, but the tipping cycle becomes quite long in the order of about 10 seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tipping path that exceeds the minimum 180° rotation required for product discharge. By continuing the tipping motion beyond 180°, the system ensures complete product emptying and facilitates smoother product flow onto the discharge conveyor, improving productivity without significantly increasing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tipping mechanism maintains continuous motion throughout the entire tipping cycle without pauses or reverse movements. The box follows a continuous curved path from the loading position through the tipping point to the discharge position, eliminating idle time and maintaining productive action throughout the operation.
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 solution significantly reduces the tipping cycle time, minimizes mechanical stress, and reduces the risk of product damage by allowing more efficient and controlled box emptying.
Implementation Method 1
The movable support 36 and the tipping arms 38 rotate around the respective axes B and A in opposite directions to tip the box 12 (Fig. 4). At the tipping position, the products 14 come out of the box 12 by gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for tipping boxes, comprising: - a stationary support structure (24), - a chute (26) fixed with respect to the stationary support structure (24), - a movable support (36) carrying two tipping arms (38), and - a drive unit (48) configured to move the tipping arms (38) along a straight direction (C) inclined with respect to a vertical direction, and to rotate the tipping arms (38) around an axis (A, B) parallel to a longitudinal direction (X).