Carousel Drive Synchronization in Glass Hollow Article Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing press-blow molding machines for producing hollow glass bodies face issues with complex drive systems requiring precise synchronization, leading to mechanical play, wear, and maintenance challenges, which affect production efficiency and safety.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of decentralized servo drives for both feed and takeout devices, along with a carousel equipped with direct drives and robots, eliminates mechanical play and wear, enabling precise control and reducing maintenance needs through predictive maintenance and contactless energy transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex drive system with multiple hierarchies and gear wheel pairings is used to achieve precise synchronization, then the gob can be transferred precisely into the preform, but mechanical play and wear occur, requiring permanent adjustment during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegob transfer precisionVSAvoiddrive system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical drive system with multiple hierarchies and gear wheel pairings with a simplified direct drive system. The main drive (100) is directly connected to the takeout (101) without intermediate differential gears or cam discs, eliminating mechanical play and wear while maintaining precise synchronization through direct mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary intermediate components (differential gears, cam discs, multiple hierarchies) from the drive system. By taking out these complex elements, the system achieves precise gob transfer without the mechanical play and wear that necessitated permanent adjustments in the prior art.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a complex drive system with multiple hierarchies is used, then synchronization can be achieved, but the arrangement becomes highly complicated and requires highly complicated precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex hierarchical mechanical drive system with a simplified direct drive architecture. The main drive (100) directly actuates the takeout (101) through a single drive shaft, eliminating the need for multiple differential gears, cam discs, and adjustment mechanisms while maintaining precise synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using multiple intermediate stages to achieve synchronization, the patent inverts the approach by using a single direct connection. The synchronization is achieved not through complex multi-stage gearing but through the direct mechanical coupling of the main drive to the takeout mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If mechanical rotary transmitters are used to transmit media, then water, vacuum, cooling air, compressed air or lubricating oil can be transmitted, but the transmitters are subject to wear and are very difficult to access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia transmission capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical rotary transmitters with magnetic coupling technology. The magnetic coupling allows transmission of rotational motion and media without physical contact between rotating and stationary parts, eliminating wear and enabling easy maintenance by simply removing the external magnet rather than dismantling complex mechanical assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2647603B1Device for the manufacture of hollow articles from a glass melt
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 WALTEC MASCHEN
  • EP2647603B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647603B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2647603B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device comprises carousel and gathering mold. The molten glass drops are supplied from the supply device (5) when the revolution of the carousel is performed so as to form hollow portion by molding device. The supply device and takeout unit (8) are provided with separate servo drive units (10,11). The molding device is provided with pressing device and/or blower and/or earth station. A pump is provided for the supply of water, vacuum, cooling air, compressed air or lubricating oil.