Chainless Support Element Conveyance for Filling Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chain-driven filling devices for food products face issues such as chain lengthening during operation, requiring frequent readjustment and separate positioning at workstations, which complicates the process and affects the controlled acceleration and deceleration of support elements.
Innovation Solution
A chainless support element design featuring toothed strips on the support element side, where a drive-side feed member with complementary counter-toothing engages to introduce feed force, ensuring slip-free movement and controlled acceleration and deceleration, utilizing a compact motor with a toothed wheel and rollers on running rails for minimal friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chain drive is used to guide support elements through the device, then the support elements can be conveyed along the runs, but the chain lengthens during operation requiring regular readjustment and separate positioning at work stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chain drive system entirely from the support element conveyance mechanism. Instead of using a chain to guide support elements through upper and lower runs, the invention employs individual support elements with integrated drive surfaces that engage directly with drive rollers or drive strips stationary on the device frame. This extraction of the chain eliminates lengthening issues and the need for readjustment while maintaining continuous conveyance through the filling device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the support element system into individually driven units rather than a unified chain-driven system. Each support element carries its own drive surface (such as a toothed strip or friction surface) that engages with stationary drive members mounted on the device frame. This segmentation allows each support element to be driven independently and consistently without the cumulative lengthening problems of a continuous chain.
2Productivity
If chain drive is used, then support elements can be moved through the device, but frequent readjustment and separate positioning at work stations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the chain drive and associated positioning adjustment mechanisms. Support elements are conveyed by engaging their drive surfaces with stationary drive rollers or drive strips that are fixed to the device frame at regular intervals. This removal of the chain system automatically eliminates the need for frequent readjustment and separate positioning operations at work stations, simplifying the overall device while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are designed with integrated drive surfaces (toothed strips or friction surfaces) that automatically engage with the stationary drive members on the device frame. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent positioning and conveyance without requiring external adjustment systems or manual intervention for positioning at work stations.
3Device complexity
If chainless drive with pressed support elements is used, then the drive can be simplified, but controlled acceleration and deceleration of support elements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different parts of the support element to achieve both simple drive mechanics and controlled acceleration. The drive surfaces (toothed strips or friction surfaces) are strategically positioned on the support elements to engage with stationary drive members at specific locations. This local differentiation of surface properties enables controlled acceleration and deceleration zones without complicating the overall drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls acceleration and deceleration by varying the engagement parameters between the support element drive surfaces and the stationary drive members. By adjusting the position, pressure, or engagement depth of the toothed strips or friction surfaces at different locations along the conveyance path, the system achieves controlled speed changes without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
4Productivity
If high cycle rates up to 60 work cycles per minute are operated, then productivity increases, but controlled acceleration and deceleration every second becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conveyance path into discrete zones with stationary drive members spaced to accommodate high cycle rates. Each support element engages with these segmented drive zones in sequence, allowing controlled acceleration and deceleration at each engagement point. This segmentation enables the system to handle up to 60 work cycles per minute while maintaining precise control over acceleration and deceleration for each individual support element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves high cycle rate operation with precise acceleration control by dynamically adjusting engagement parameters such as the position, pressure, and timing of the toothed strip or friction surface engagement with stationary drive members. These parameter changes allow the system to accelerate and decelerate support elements rapidly and precisely at up to 60 cycles per minute without compromising reliability.
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 controlled acceleration and deceleration of support elements, reduces drive size and mass, and stabilizes the support element, ensuring precise positioning and efficient operation at high cycle rates without the need for continuous chain adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a slip-free feed is guaranteed between the drive and the support element. With the considerable acceleration and deceleration forces, controlled acceleration and deceleration is ensured by the form fit between the drive and the supporting element.
Implementation Method 2
Rollers allow the carrying element to be guided through the device with minimal friction.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The apparatus has several supporting elements (10) provided with receptacles for containers (13) and guided endlessly through the device past the work stations. The supporting elements is led in conveying direction by an upper run or lower run along work stations to support element side active structures for introducing feed force of actuator into supporting elements. The support element side active structures are formed with toothed edges (14) engaged with the counter tooth of drive-side feed structure to initiate the feed force in supporting element.