Thermoforming Packaging Machine Chain Guide Force Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The superimposition of forces on lateral longitudinal beams in thermoforming packaging machines, caused by the weight of work stations and film tensile forces, leads to torsional stress and increased production costs, complicating the structural design and affecting the functionality of both the chain guide device and work stations.
Innovation Solution
A force-decoupled mounting system where the upper tool part and chain guide device are supported by separate components, with longitudinal beams absorbing weight forces and transverse crossbeams supporting the chain guide device, allowing independent operation and adjustment without superimposing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the chain guide device and workstations are mounted on the same lateral longitudinal beams, then the machine structure is simplified and manufacturing costs are reduced, but force superposition occurs causing torsional stress and affecting functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The machine frame is segmented into separate functional components: lateral longitudinal beams for supporting workstations and transverse crossbeams for supporting the chain guide device. This segmentation isolates the force paths so that weight forces from workstations and film tensile forces from the chain guide device do not superimpose on each other, eliminating torsional stress while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse crossbeams are introduced as intermediary elements between the lateral longitudinal beams and the chain guide device. These crossbeams serve as a mediator that transfers film tensile forces laterally without transmitting them to the longitudinal beams, thereby preventing force superposition and torsional stress while maintaining a compact structure.
2Reliability
If the machine frame is made more robust to compensate for force superposition, then the functionality of the chain guide device and workstations is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support structure into separate longitudinal and transverse beams, the patent eliminates the need for overly robust construction. Each beam type can be designed optimally for its specific load path: longitudinal beams for vertical weight loads and transverse beams for lateral film tension loads, reducing overall material requirements and manufacturing costs while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If separate crossbeams are introduced to support the chain guide device, then force superposition is eliminated and torsional stress is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse crossbeams are integrated into the existing machine frame structure rather than being separate add-on components. The crossbeams are mounted on the lateral longitudinal beams, merging the support function into the overall frame architecture. This integration maintains structural simplicity while achieving force isolation, as the crossbeams utilize the existing longitudinal beam mounting points.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) comprising a machine frame (6), a chain guide device (8) attached to the machine frame (6) for lateral transport chains (14) designed for gripping a film web (F) on both sides and for transporting the film web (F) in a production direction (R) of the thermoforming packaging machine (1), and at least one tool (W) designed for processing the film web (F) gripped by the transport chains (14), wherein the tool (W) comprises a tool upper part (22), wherein the machine frame (6) has lateral longitudinal beams (13) extending along the production direction (R) for attaching the tool upper part (22), by means of which a weight force (G) of the tool upper part (22) can be absorbed, and wherein the machine frame (6) has several spaced-apart brackets in the production direction (R) for attaching the chain guide device (8).has crossbeams (15) extending transversely to the production direction (R) and supported separately from the longitudinal beams (13).