Conveying Device Safety Cam Mechanism for Mandrel Desynchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveying devices used in manufacturing containers face issues with synchronization failures, leading to potential damage from desynchronization between the electric motor controlling the lifting cam and the movement of mandrels, particularly during power cuts or encoder malfunctions, resulting in violent strikes that can damage device components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a safety system with a second safety cam follower and a safety cam, which includes a control ramp to control the mandrel's active to inactive position in case of lifting cam failure, and a retractable receiving cam that can move to a safety position upon impact, preventing damage by absorbing shock and maintaining operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a lifting cam controlled by an electric motor is used to speed up the stripping operation, then the stripping speed is significantly increased, but the risk of desynchronization between the motor and mandrels increases, leading to violent strikes and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping speedVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a safety system with a safety cam follower and safety cam that acts as a cushioning mechanism before damage occurs. The safety cam follower is positioned to engage with the safety cam ahead of time, creating a protective interface that will absorb shocks if desynchronization occurs, preventing violent strikes to the motor and other critical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Loss of time

If the electric motor is used to control the lifting cam for rapid stripping, then the operation time is reduced, but the harmful factors from desynchronization (violent strikes, component damage) increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping operation timeVSAvoidmechanical shock and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety cam acts as an intermediary element between the lifting cam system and the mandrel. It provides a controlled interface that can absorb and dissipate shock energy through its cam profile design, preventing direct transmission of violent strikes to the motor and other components while still allowing rapid stripping operation to proceed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If synchronization control systems (encoder, electric motor) are implemented to control the lifting cam, then the stripping operation can be accelerated, but the complexity of the control system increases, creating more potential failure points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system operates autonomously without requiring external control signals. The safety cam follower automatically engages with the safety cam when desynchronization occurs, and the mechanical cam profile itself provides the shock-absorbing function. This self-activating mechanism reduces the burden on the electronic control system and eliminates the need for additional sensors or control logic to detect desynchronization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The safety system effectively prevents damage to the conveying device components by ensuring smooth operation even in cases of desynchronization, allowing the device to maintain functionality and prevent mechanical stress during synchronization failures.

Implementation Method 1

a receiving cam (76) which includes a cam track (78) which cooperates directly with the first cam follower (54) to maintain the chuck (38) in its inactive position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3546194B1Conveying device provided with a safety system
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
  • EP3546194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546194B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3546194B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for conveying hollow bodies (12) comprising: - a transport element (24) including a mandrel (38) sliding between an active position for gripping a hollow body (12) and an inactive position; - a first cam follower (54) slidingly fixed to the mandrel (38); - a receiving cam (76) holding the first cam follower (54) in its inactive position; - a sliding lifting cam (80) between a low position and a high position to control the first cam follower (54) to its inactive position; - a second safety cam follower (92) slidingly fixed to the mandrel (38); - a safety cam (94) parallel to the receiving cam (76) which includes a ramp (96) for controlling the second cam follower (92) in the inactive position.