Rotary Conveyor Holding Element for Article Orientation Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for conveying and packaging small items, such as food or consumer goods, struggle to efficiently change the orientation of articles during transfer between rotary heads in a compact design, particularly for cuboid or cube-shaped items.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device with at least two movable holding elements along a revolving path, where the first holding element can rotate the article about an axis perpendicular to the movement path to change its orientation by 90 degrees when transferring it to the second holding element, allowing for easy orientation change and efficient packaging, especially in a rotary head design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articles are transferred between rotary heads to change orientation, then article orientation can be changed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (article transfer and orientation change) into a single holding element that can rotate about an axis spaced from the center of the path of movement. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate transfer mechanisms and orientation adjustment devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to change article orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transfer mechanism and an orientation adjustment device. By making the holding element universal, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thus decreasing device complexity while achieving versatile article handling and orientation change.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotary heads are used for article transfer, then article orientation can be changed, but the design becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple rotary heads into a single holding element with rotation capability. This consolidation reduces the spatial requirements and eliminates the need for multiple large rotary head assemblies, resulting in a more compact device design while maintaining the ability to change article orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element rotates about an axis spaced from the center of the path of movement, introducing a dimensional aspect that allows orientation change without requiring additional rotary heads. This dimensional approach enables compact design by achieving orientation change within the existing circular path structure rather than adding more rotary head volumes.
3Productivity
If holding elements are continuously rotated, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms (implied through the coordinated control of holding element rotation and rotary head rotation) to maintain manufacturing precision during continuous operation. The rotation of the holding element about an offset axis works in coordination with the rotary head's circular motion, allowing for precise article placement despite continuous movement, thus maintaining transfer precision while enabling continuous high-speed operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and conveying device for conveying and optionally packaging small items, in particular foodstuffs or consumer goods such as confectionery, bouillon cubes or laundry tablets, wherein the conveying device (1) has at least two holding elements (2, 3) movable along a circumferential movement path (B) for holding and conveying the items (A), wherein each item (A) is preferably transferred from a first of these holding elements (2) to a second of these holding elements (3) during its conveyance along the movement path (B) so that the change of the item orientation is made possible in a particularly compact design.