Coupling Unit Pneumatic Cleaning for Controlled-Atmosphere Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The contamination of coffee powder in the coupling units of infusion capsule production machines hinders the sealing of the controlled-atmosphere environment, leading to operational issues and production problems due to redeposition on housing seat openings.
Innovation Solution
A method and machine utilizing a cleaning system with a suction head and emission mouth connected to a compressed air circuit, allowing simultaneous suction and air jetting to lift and remove coffee powder from the housing seat surfaces, maintaining machine operation without downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the coupling unit operates in the coffee powder environment, then the coupling process can be performed, but the coffee powder redeposits on the housing seat opening and prevents sealing of the controlled-atmosphere environment
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is positioned and activated before the coupling operation to remove coffee powder from the housing seat opening and surrounding surfaces. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that the sealing surfaces are free of contaminants before the controlled-atmosphere environment is formed, preventing sealing failures while maintaining continuous coupling operations.
2Reliability
If the cleaning system is activated during machine operation, then coffee powder can be removed from the housing seat, but the machine may need to be stopped or the cleaning system must be precisely coordinated with the coupling cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is integrated with the coupling system such that the suction head and emission mouth are positioned to work simultaneously with the coupling operation. The cleaning system uses the existing movement of the coupling unit between the first and second configurations to access different surfaces, combining two functions (cleaning and coupling) into a coordinated sequence without requiring separate dedicated cleaning cycles that would stop production.
3Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods are used, then coffee powder can be removed, but the cleaning process is time-consuming and increases machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning methods (such as brushes or cloths) with a pneumatic system consisting of a suction head and emission mouth. The pneumatic system uses pressurized air to lift coffee powder from surfaces and a suction device to remove it, enabling rapid cleaning without mechanical contact. This substitution allows cleaning to occur quickly during machine operation or with minimal downtime, maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable sealing surfaces.
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
Effectively cleans the coupling units by lifting and suctioning coffee powder, ensuring the sealing of the controlled-atmosphere environment and maintaining production efficiency without stopping the machine.
Implementation Method 1
a suction head (10) and at least one emission mouth (11) for emitting pressurized air connected to a compressed air circuit (15)
Implementation Method 2
at least one emission mouth (11) for emitting pressurized air connected to a compressed air circuit (15)
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for cleaning a coupling unit (2) for coupling a component to an article and machine for coupling (1) the component to the article comprising the coupling unit and a cleaning system (9) of the coupling unit (2), wherein the coupling unit (2) comprises a housing body (3) comprising at least one seat (4) shaped for accommodating the article, a coupling device (5) configured for retaining the component, wherein the cleaning system (9) comprising a suction head (10) and at least one emission mouth for emitting pressurized air connected to a compressed air circuit (15), and wherein the method comprising, with the housing body (3) in a first configuration in which the housing body (3) and the coupling device (5) are mutually spaced apart, realizing a reciprocal operational configuration between the cleaning system (9) and the coupling unit (2) in which the suction head (10) and the emission mouth are in mutual proximity with the housing body (3) and at an inlet (32) of the seat (4), activating the suction head (10), activating the emission mouth.