Concentric Process Wheel for Continuous Lid-Container Reassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for separating and reassembling multi-part objects, such as containers with lids, are limited by intermittent operation due to alternating acceleration and deceleration, requiring significant mechanical effort and drive power.
Innovation Solution
A device with a process wheel and insertion device that allows continuous operation by using concentric receiving rings with different radii to synchronize the movement of base and cover parts, employing compensating play and speed adjustments to maintain uniform movement, enabling continuous processing without interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intermittent operation with alternating acceleration and deceleration is used to separate and reassemble multi-part objects, then the process can be completed with simple mechanical structures, but the process speed is limited and mechanical effort and drive power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation of the process wheel, eliminating intermittent stopping and starting. The base parts and cover parts are continuously transported through the processing stations without interruption, maintaining constant motion and eliminating the need for repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the transport system into two separate concentric receiving rings: an outer ring for base parts and an inner ring for cover parts. This segmentation allows each ring to be optimized independently for continuous transport at different radii, enabling simultaneous continuous processing of both components without mechanical interference.
2Productivity
If continuous operation is implemented to eliminate alternating acceleration and deceleration, then process speed increases and mechanical effort decreases, but the device complexity increases due to concentric receiving rings with different radii
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transport functions for base parts and cover parts into a single integrated process wheel structure with two concentric receiving rings. This unified design allows both components to be processed simultaneously in a single continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate processing lines while maintaining structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane transport mechanism to a multi-level concentric ring structure. By utilizing radial dimensionality with different radii for base parts and cover parts, the system achieves continuous independent transport of both components without requiring complex multi-axis coordination or additional spatial dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If concentric receiving rings with different radii are used to transport base and cover parts, then continuous uniform movement is achieved, but speed synchronization becomes challenging due to different circumferential speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different holder designs to different radial positions: outer holders for base parts at the outer radius and inner holders for cover parts at the inner radius. Each holder type is locally optimized for its specific radial position and circumferential speed, allowing independent speed characteristics for each component type while maintaining overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial position parameter (different radii) to create different circumferential speeds for base parts and cover parts. By changing the radial parameter, the system naturally achieves different linear speeds at different radii while maintaining constant angular velocity, allowing speed differentiation without complex control mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the base holders and cover holders are made larger than the received parts with compensating play, then speed adjustments and synchronization are facilitated, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements compensating play (clearance) in the holder-design relationship, where holders are slightly larger than the parts they carry. This excessive dimension provides the necessary clearance for speed adjustments and synchronization tolerances without requiring oversized holders, achieving the functional benefit with minimal dimensional excess.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for separating, processing, and reassembling multi-part objects (1). The device comprises a process wheel (15) for transporting bottom parts (3) and top parts (4) of the objects (1) along at least one processing station (6, 7), a separating device (13) for separating the top parts (4) from the bottom parts (5), and an insertion device (14) for inserting the bottom parts (3) and the top parts (4) into the process wheel (15). The process wheel (15) has a first, lower receiving ring (21) with a first radius (r1) and a second, upper receiving ring (22) with a second, smaller radius (r2) as a jointly rotatable unit.A wheel assembly is arranged between the separating device (13) and the process wheel (15), the wheel assembly comprising a first, lower wheel with bottom supports distributed around its circumference and a second, upper wheel with lid supports for the lid parts (4) also distributed around its circumference. The bottom supports and/or the lid supports are circumferentially larger than the respective bottom parts (3) and lid parts (4) they hold, such that during operation they engage the bottom parts (3) and lid parts (4) with a compensating clearance.