Carrier Element With Intermediary Transfer Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carrier elements in production plants face challenges in securely transferring containers with irregular shapes and are prone to damage and contamination, leading to reduced service life and potential errors in processing module transfers.

Innovation Solution

The carrier element design includes a receiving area with adjustable features and a separate fastening area with concave or convex functional surfaces, allowing for secure holding and transfer without direct contact with gripping means, using magnetic or mechanical connections to protect internal surfaces from damage and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gripping elements are used to transfer carrier elements, then transfer between processing modules is enabled, but the functional surfaces of carrier elements are damaged and contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer capabilityVSAvoidsurface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transfer surface is introduced as an intermediary between the gripping element and the carrier element's functional surface. The gripping element transfers the carrier element to the transfer surface, which then transfers it to the next processing module, preventing direct contact between the gripping element and the functional surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer process is segmented into multiple stages: gripping element to transfer surface, then transfer surface to processing module. This segmentation isolates the functional surface from direct gripping contact while maintaining transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If carrier elements are made durable for repeated use, then service life is extended, but damage and contamination accumulate over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddamage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer surface acts as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between gripping elements and the carrier element's functional surfaces, reducing damage and contamination during transfers while extending service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer surface is designed to cushion and absorb the impact and stress of transfers before they reach the carrier element's functional surfaces, preventing damage beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If gripping surfaces are designed for secure holding, then transfer reliability is improved, but the spatial size of the transfer unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidtransfer unit size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the gripping element contact the carrier element's functional surface directly, the approach is inverted: the transfer surface contacts the carrier element, and the gripping element contacts the transfer surface, reversing the contact sequence to reduce spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2615047B1Carrier element for articles or containers

Publication Date: 2018.01.24 KRONES AG

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AI summary

The carrier element (20) has a receiving portion spaced apart from the mounting portion (30), where the mounting portion has a hollow interior portion and an opening (40) in an outer wall portion, through which an open connection is formed for the hollow interior portion. A functional surface is arranged in the hollow interior portion, through which a force-locking- or form-fitting connection is produced at a coupling unit of a manufacturing installation. The receiving portion has a receiving opening (24) for an article (10) or a container.