Capper Gripper Device with Circumferential Support Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing gripper devices in beverage filling systems require significant workload to change back plates for containers with different neck sizes, as the position of the back plate must be adjusted radially for each gripper, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with alternately positioned first and second supports that can be displaced in the circumferential direction, allowing for collective movement of these supports to accommodate different neck sizes without interfering with the capping operation, and featuring a movable body to facilitate easy position change and reduce workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the back plate position is changed radially for each gripper to accommodate different neck sizes, then the adaptability to different container sizes is improved, but the workload and complexity of die changing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the back plate changing operation with the gripper position change operation. By integrating these two functions into a single die change process, the complexity of managing separate adjustments is eliminated. The support member is positioned on the movable body such that when the gripper assembly is moved radially to accommodate different neck sizes, the support member automatically changes position accordingly, achieving both adaptability and operational simplicity simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the back plate position is changed radially for each gripper, then the adaptability to different container sizes is improved, but the time required for die changing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the back plate repositioning operation with the gripper radial movement operation into a single synchronized action. When the gripper assembly moves radially inward or outward to accommodate different neck diameters, the support member on the movable body automatically changes position simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate time-consuming adjustment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is pre-positioned on the movable body at specific radial distances corresponding to different neck sizes. Before the actual die changing operation, the system is configured with the movable body holding the appropriate support member position, so that when radial movement occurs, the correct support is already in place, eliminating delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple back plates are provided for different neck sizes, then the versatility is improved, but the quantity of parts and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple static back plates, the patent employs a single back plate (support member) that can dynamically change its radial position. The movable body allows the support member to move radially inward for small necks and radially outward for large necks, eliminating the need to store and manage multiple different back plates while maintaining full versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a gripper device applied to a capper that can reduce a work load when changing a die, which arises from handling a container having a neck size different from that in previous production. A gripper device (5) according to the present invention includes a gripper (11) including a pair of gripping pieces (12, 13) configured to grip necks (101) of containers (100), and a support configured to support the neck (101), in contact with the neck (101), between the pair of gripping pieces (12, 13). The support includes a first back plate (33) and a second back plate (35), each of which corresponds to each of the containers (100) having the necks (101) with different dimensions and which are alternately provided at intervals. Positions of the first back plate (33) and the second back plate (35) in the circumferential direction (C) with respect to the gripper (11) can be displaced relatively.