Carousel Labeling Machine Electromechanical Carriage Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carousel labeling machines face challenges in precisely positioning and securely locking carriages to the carousel frame, often requiring manual intervention or complex mechanisms that occupy space and lack precision, reliability, and safety.
Innovation Solution
The carousel labeling machine employs electromechanical locking means with a pair of retention elements and a coupling device, actuated by an electric motor, to ensure precise and secure locking of carriages to the carousel frame, maintaining correct height and minimizing external space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual locking with a crank is used, then the device is simple, but manual intervention is required and positioning precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical crank system with an electromechanical actuator system. The actuator includes an electric motor that drives a screw mechanism, which in turn moves a retaining element to engage with the carriage. This substitution eliminates manual intervention while providing precise, controlled positioning through electrical actuation, directly resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Strength
If pneumatic and mechanical actuators are used, then locking force is sufficient, but lateral space occupation increases and positioning precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the actuator, retaining element, and locking components are integrated within the existing frame structure. The actuator is positioned inside the carousel perimeter, and the retaining element moves within a confined space along the perimeter. This nesting approach provides sufficient locking force while minimizing lateral space occupation, directly addressing the contradiction between strength and space efficiency.
3Reliability
If complex locking devices are used, then locking reliability improves, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-locking mechanism where the actuator automatically engages the retaining element with the carriage through controlled movement along the perimeter. The system includes sensors and control logic that enable automatic positioning and locking without manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains high reliability through automated precise control while avoiding the complexity of manual operation systems, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
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 provides precise, secure, and reliable carriage positioning and locking within the carousel's perimetric space, ensuring optimal control and operation safety while being easy to produce and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The electromechanical locking means comprise a pair of retention elements and a coupling device, actuated by an electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A carousel labeling machine, which comprises a carousel for conveying the containers to be labeled, which is provided with a frame which supports at least one attachment point, which can be engaged by at least one carriage for supporting a labeling station, and which is provided with locking elements adapted to cooperate with engagement elements supported by the carriage in order to perform the locking of the carriage to the frame in a position adapted to allow the application of the labels on the containers that are present on the carousel by the labeling station mounted on the carriage; the engagement elements comprise at least one coupling device supported by the carriage, while the locking elements comprise at least one pair of retention elements, which can move with respect to each other in order to effect the clamping of the coupling device between the retention elements.