Container Conveyor Feedback Control for Friction and Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional belt lubrication systems for container conveyors do not react to external factors that can influence the coefficient of friction, leading to undesirable deviations and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor system to detect contamination and friction characteristics of the conveying element, coupled with a cleaning and lubrication system that adjusts operations based on real-time feedback to maintain optimal friction conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional belt lubrication systems with preset cyclical dosing intervals are used, then the lubrication is applied automatically, but the system does not react to external factors influencing friction coefficient leading to deviations from required friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor device continuously monitors the friction coefficient of the conveying element and provides real-time information to a control unit. The control unit adjusts the lubrication system's dosing intervals based on this feedback, allowing the system to adapt to changing external factors and maintain the required friction coefficient dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system transitions from static preset intervals to dynamic, real-time adjusted dosing. The control unit modifies lubrication application based on current friction measurements, enabling the system to respond to varying operating conditions and maintain optimal friction characteristics throughout the conveying process.
2Reliability
If continuous lubrication is applied to maintain friction coefficient, then friction control is improved, but excessive lubrication occurs leading to resource waste and unsustainable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device provides continuous feedback on the friction coefficient, allowing the control unit to activate the lubrication system only when and where needed. This prevents excessive lubrication by base the dosing intervals on actual friction conditions rather than applying lubrication continuously or on fixed schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the lubrication dosing parameters (timing, amount, frequency) based on real-time friction measurements. When the friction coefficient is within the required range, lubrication is reduced or paused; when friction increases due to contamination or wear, lubrication is activated to restore optimal conditions.
3Reliability
If the conveying element is cleaned frequently to remove contamination, then friction coefficient is maintained, but cleaning operations consume resources and time
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device monitors friction coefficient in real-time and triggers cleaning operations only when contamination causes friction to exceed the required range. This prevents unnecessary frequent cleaning by base the decision on actual friction conditions rather than implementing fixed cleaning schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of friction characteristics through the sensor device, allowing for early detection of contamination trends. This enables proactive cleaning decisions that prevent severe contamination buildup, potentially reducing the intensity and frequency of cleaning operations required.
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 efficient and sustainable operation by preventing excessive lubrication, saving resources, and improving conveyor performance by cleaning when needed, thus maintaining desired friction coefficients.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (24) configured to detect at least one instance of contamination of the circulating conveying element (18), contamination of the containers (12), and a friction characteristic
Implementation Method 2
a friction characteristic (e.g., coefficient of friction, static friction coefficient, and/or kinetic friction coefficient) of the circulating conveying element (18)
Implementation Method 3
a (e.g., stationary) cleaning device (26) for cleaning the circulating conveying element (18)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a device (10) for conveying containers (12). The device (10) comprises a container conveyor (16) with a circulating conveying element (18) and a sensor device (24) configured to detect at least one of the following: contamination of the circulating conveying element (18), contamination of the containers (12), and a friction coefficient of the circulating conveying element (18). The device (10) further comprises a user interface (60) and/or a cleaning device (26) for cleaning the circulating conveying element (18). The device (10) also comprises a processing device (62) configured to operate the user interface (60) to issue a request to clean the circulating conveying element (18) and/or to operate the cleaning device (26) to clean the circulating conveying element (18), depending on a signal output from the sensor device (24).