Thermoplastic Object Conveyor Synchronization Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems for thermoplastic objects face synchronization issues due to power supply problems, leading to potential damage from desynchronization, particularly in high-speed manufacturing environments where thermoplastic material resistance is high, and existing solutions like capacitors are bulky and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system with an ejection device upstream of the transfer point that selectively ejects objects in case of desynchronization between drive means, preventing gripper collisions and reducing the need for large capacitors by maintaining synchronization and safely managing power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electronic synchronization is used between drive means, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to power supply problems causing desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device is positioned upstream of the transfer point and is selectively activatable in advance of potential damage. When desynchronization is detected, the device ejects objects from the first wheel before they reach the transfer point, preventing collision damage to grippers while maintaining the simplicity of electronic synchronization control.
2Reliability
If capacitors are used to maintain power supply during outages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to large capacitor size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power management function from the drive means and implements it separately through the selectively activatable ejection device. Instead of using large capacitors to maintain power, the system detects desynchronization and activates the ejection device to clear objects, achieving reliability without bulky energy storage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical energy storage solution (capacitors) with a mechanical ejection mechanism controlled by electronic detection. The ejection device uses mechanical means to remove objects when needed, substituting the electrical approach with a hybrid electronic-mechanical solution that reduces overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If high-speed conveying is used to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but the risk of damage from desynchronization increases due to high thermoplastic material resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the high-speed conveying system and the transfer point. When desynchronization occurs at high speeds, the device selectively ejects objects before they reach the vulnerable transfer zone, mediating between the need for high productivity and the risk of damage from thermoplastic material resistance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for conveying objects made of a thermoplastic material and comprising a hollow body with a neck, said system (10) comprising at least: - a first transfer wheel (12) which comprises gripping jaws (20) and is driven about a first axis (A1) of rotation by first driving means (30), and - a second wheel (14) which comprises gripping jaws (36) and is driven about a second axis (A2) of rotation by second driving means (40), said system having a configuration for synchronising said first and second driving means (30, 40), the first driving means (30) and second driving means (40) each being motorised and controlled by a control unit designed to bring the system into and/or electronically maintain the system in said synchronisation configuration in order to carry out, at a given transfer point (T), a jaw-to-jaw type transfer of an object from the first wheel (12) to the downstream second wheel (14). The system (10) comprises at least one ejection device (44) which is arranged upstream of the transfer point (T) and is controlled selectively in the event of said first and second driving means (30, 40) becoming desynchronised, so as to eject the objects being conveyed by the first wheel (12) and thus avoid any damage to the jaws (20, 36) in the vicinity of the transfer point (T).