Conical Guide Channel for Container Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container treatment machines experience container tilting due to centrifugal forces at high output rates, leading to improper handling, contamination, and jamming, especially when processing containers of different sizes or diameters, as existing solutions require complex exchanges of rotor components.
Innovation Solution
A container transport device with a channel-like guide channel formed by an inner and outer container support surface that adjusts in height, allowing for secure container support and easy adaptation to various sizes without complex component exchanges, using spindle drives for height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container treatment machines are operated at higher outputs, then productivity increases, but centrifugal forces cause container tilting which impairs handling and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a support surface that provides an opposing force to centrifugal forces. The support surface is positioned to counteract the outward radial displacement caused by rotation, thereby preventing container tilting while allowing high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by adding a support surface at a different vertical level relative to the container carriers. This support surface extends in the radial direction to provide stabilization, effectively using a vertical dimension to solve a horizontal stability problem caused by centrifugal forces.
2Reliability
If container receptacles are provided on the rotor to support containers in the circumferential direction, then container stability improves, but complex exchange of components is required for different container sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single, fixed support surface that can accommodate multiple container types and sizes. Instead of providing separate container receptacles for different container dimensions, the support surface is designed with adjustable or variable geometry that can adapt to various container configurations, eliminating the need for component exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is designed to be dynamic in its functionality rather than static in structure. It can adjust its effective geometry or position to match different container sizes and shapes, allowing the same physical component to serve multiple functions across different operating conditions without requiring physical exchange of parts.
3Ease of operation
If fixed container support structures are used, then container positioning is simplified, but adaptability to different container sizes and diameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the support surface adjustable in its position and/or geometry. This allows the support structure to maintain simple, fixed-like operation for any given container type while being adaptable to different container sizes and diameters through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface parameters (such as position, angle, or radial distance from the machine axis) can be changed to accommodate different container specifications. By varying these parameters, the same support structure can properly position containers of different sizes and diameters without requiring structural modification or component exchange.
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
Ensures containers remain parallel to the machine axis despite high-speed rotation, preventing tilting and facilitating smooth handling and processing of containers of different sizes and diameters, reducing jamming and contamination issues.
Implementation Method 1
the guide channel can be adjusted in height with at least one adjustment device
Implementation Method 2
considerable centrifugal forces occur on the rotor, but also on the star conveyors of a container inlet and/or container outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Container transport device with a rotor rotating around a vertical machine axis, with several container supports distributed around the machine axis on the rotor for suspending containers, with a container support device for supporting the containers on their outer or shell surface in the area of the container bottom, wherein the container support device is designed with an outer container guide with a container support surface that surrounds the machine axis in a conical shape and provides support for the containers in the area of their container bottom on the outer surface of the container that is radially outside the machine axis and is height-adjustable to adapt to different container bottom diameters, and with at least one inner container support surface that provides support for the containers on their outer surface that is radially inside the machine axis.