Container Conveyance Gripper Retraction for Pitch Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container conveyance devices in beverage production lines face issues with increased installation space due to the retraction of intermediate grippers when the upstream rotary wheel is stopped, and the adjustment of conveyance pitch is not efficiently managed.
Innovation Solution
A container conveyance device with a single intermediate rotary wheel equipped with a rocking unit and a switching unit to adjust the conveyance pitch and retract intermediate grippers, preventing interference with upstream grippers when the upstream wheel is stopped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the intermediate rotary wheel continues rotation when the upstream rotary wheel is stopped, then the downstream process can continue operation, but the intermediate grippers may interfere with the container held by the upstream gripper
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate gripper is designed to dynamically change its opening degree based on the operational state of the upstream rotary wheel. When the upstream wheel is stopped, the intermediate gripper automatically switches to a retracted state with a larger opening degree, preventing interference while allowing the intermediate rotary wheel to continue rotating and maintain downstream production.
2Reliability
If the gripping members of intermediate grippers are retracted to prevent interference when upstream rotary wheel is stopped, then collision is prevented, but the conveyance pitch adjustment capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the operational modes into distinct states: normal operation mode where conveyance pitch adjustment is active, and abnormal stoppage mode where gripper retraction is active. This segmentation allows each function to operate optimally in its designated mode without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening degree of intermediate grippers based on detected abnormal states. When an abnormal stoppage is detected, the grippers automatically transition to a retracted state, while maintaining the ability to return to normal conveyance pitch adjustment functionality once the abnormal condition is resolved.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a switching unit is added to control the retraction of intermediate grippers, then interference is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from the operational state of the upstream rotary wheel to automatically control the switching between normal and retracted states of intermediate grippers. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual control systems while ensuring reliable prevention of gripper interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
To achieve an action of retracting intermediate grippers GB and adjustment of a conveyance pitch by one intermediate rotary wheel. A conveyance pitch in a sixth rotary wheel (downstream rotary wheel) is set to be smaller than a conveyance pitch in a fourth rotary wheel H4 (upstream rotary wheel). A rocking unit and a switching unit 25 are provided to a fifth rotary wheel H5 (intermediate rotary wheel), the rocking unit causing a conveyance pitch in the fifth rotary wheel H5 to be equal to a conveyance pitch in the sixth rotary wheel by rocking intermediate grippers GB at a downstream-side delivery position P2, at which delivered to the sixth rotary wheel, the switching unit 25 switching the intermediate grippers GB to a retracted state in which interference with PET bottles 1 held by the fourth rotary wheel H4 can be prevented.