Branched Hopper Layout for Multiline Filling Pipe Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiline vertical automatic filling and packaging machines require manual counting and packing of packaging bags, leading to potential miscounting errors, and the use of accumulating devices is costly and space-consuming, limiting productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multiline vertical automatic filling and packaging machine with hoppers that supply different filling materials to multiple lines of filling pipes, allowing for simultaneous production and packaging of packaging bags without manual counting, using hoppers with specific branch parts to direct filling materials to corresponding pipes, ensuring efficient and error-free packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual counting and packing of packaging bags is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and accuracy deteriorate due to potential miscounting errors and time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is segmented into multiple branch parts (first branch part and second branch part) that can be independently configured. Each branch part can be extended or retracted along the filling pipes, allowing independent adjustment of filling material supply to different lines. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple packaging lines with different filling requirements without requiring a completely separate hopper for each line, thus improving productivity while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch parts of the hopper are designed to be movable along the filling pipes, transitioning between extended and retracted states. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different production scenarios, such as switching between single-line and multi-line operation modes, or adjusting which lines receive filling material from which branch. The dynamic nature enables flexible productivity adjustment without permanent structural modifications, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
2Productivity
If hoppers with extended branch parts are used to supply filling material to multiple lines, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper with multiple branch parts serves multiple functions: it can supply filling material to a single line or multiple lines simultaneously, adjust supply distribution dynamically, and adapt to different packaging bag types and sizes. The same hopper structure can be configured for various production scenarios by extending or retracting different branch parts, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hoppers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch parts of the hopper are nested within the overall hopper structure, with each branch part containing its own outlet and supply channel. The branch parts can be extended outward from the central hopper body or retracted back into it, creating a nested configuration that saves space and reduces structural complexity. This nesting approach allows multiple filling lines to be served from a compact central structure rather than requiring dispersed hopper units.
3Productivity
If accumulating devices are used for picking up packaging bags, then productivity is improved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filling material supply function is merged with the packaging bag handling function by integrating the hopper system directly with the filling pipes and packaging lines. Instead of using separate accumulating devices for bag storage and handling, the system combines material storage, distribution, and filling operations in a unified hopper-branch-pipe structure. This merging eliminates the need for additional accumulating devices, reducing space requirements while maintaining automated productivity through coordinated operation of the integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic filling and packaging machine includes a hopper A configured to supply a filling material A and a hopper B configured to supply a filling material B. The hopper A includes: an upwardly open receiving part; and a first branch part and a second branch part, which are bifurcated from a lower portion of the upwardly open receiving part. The first branch part and the second branch part allow supply of the filling material A to two corresponding filling pipes. The second branch part is extended in a direction of arrangement of the filling pipes so that at least one of the filling pipes supplied with the filling material from the hopper B is located between an outlet of the first branch part and the outlet of the second branch part.