Container Transfer Synchronization With Independent Rotary Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container manufacturing facilities face challenges in synchronizing and pairing processing machines independently, leading to loss of synchronization and pairing during machine stoppages, and mechanical slaving via drive belts results in wear and tear, making it tedious to stop and restart heavy and bulky machines.

Innovation Solution

A method involving separate drive motors for each processing machine allows for independent rotation and desynchronized pairing, ensuring synchronization and pairing of stations can be maintained even when one machine is stopped, with a control unit guiding motors to synchronize and pair stations automatically, enabling traceability of defective containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical slaving by drive belts is used to synchronize processing machines, then synchronization and pairing of stations are ensured, but wear and tear occurs and machines become difficult to stop and restart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidease of stopping and restarting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive belt system with independent electric motors for each processing machine. The synchronization is achieved through electronic control and sensing mechanisms rather than mechanical coupling, eliminating wear and tear while maintaining synchronization reliability through software-based coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the previously coupled mechanical system into independent segments (individual motors for each machine) that can be controlled separately. This allows each machine to be stopped, started, or adjusted independently while maintaining overall synchronization through electronic coordination rather than mechanical slaving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If all machines are stopped and restarted together to maintain synchronization, then pairing is maintained, but production downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing maintenanceVSAvoidproduction downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic synchronization where machines can operate at different speeds temporarily. When a machine needs to be stopped or restarted, the system dynamically adjusts the operation of other machines to maintain pairing, allowing selective stopping without requiring all machines to stop together, thus reducing production downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms (sensors and control systems) to monitor the position and status of each machine station. This feedback allows the control system to automatically adjust and re-synchronize machines after individual stoppages, maintaining pairing without requiring coordinated shutdowns of all machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate drive motors are used for independent machine rotation, then selective speed modification is possible, but loss of synchronization and pairing occurs during stoppages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective speed modificationVSAvoidsynchronization maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback systems that continuously monitor the rotational position and speed of each independently driven machine. This feedback enables the control system to detect when machines are out of sync and automatically adjust their operation to restore synchronization and pairing, maintaining reliability despite independent motor control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical coupling with electronic control systems that use sensors, processors, and actuators to maintain synchronization. This substitution allows independent speed modification while maintaining pairing through software-based coordination rather than mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10890891B2Method for regulating a facility for processing a series of containers and corresponding facility

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS

AI summary

A method for regulating a facility for processing a series of containers includes an operating phase during which a first machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of first stations is driven in rotation, and a second machine for processing containers that is equipped with a number of second stations is driven in rotation. The facility has a transfer point from the first to the second processing machine. The operating phase includes a synchronized and paired operating step in which the synchronized rotation of the first and second machines is accompanied by a repetitive series of pairing partners at the transfer point, each pairing partner including a first station arriving at the transfer point coincidentally with a second station, enabling transfer of a container from the first station of the pairing partner to the second station of the pairing partner.