Crate Closing Machine Actuating Pins for Continuous Wall Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for closing the folding walls of crates are inefficient due to the need for manual or complex mechanical operations to disengage the mutual hooking devices, which can cause damage and hinder high-performance processing.
Innovation Solution
A machine is designed to mechanize the closing of crate walls by incorporating vertically sliding release devices on both transverse walls, actuated by devices with conical or wedge-shaped pins that operate during the crate's transfer movement, allowing for simultaneous release and folding without interrupting the transfer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual or complex mechanical operations are used to disengage mutual hooking devices, then the crate walls can be opened, but the process is inefficient and can cause damage to the crates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system featuring actuating devices that use conical or wedge-shaped pins to disengage the mutual hooking devices. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention and complex mechanical operations, thereby improving both ease of operation and productivity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conical or wedge-shaped pins as intermediary elements that facilitate the disengagement of mutual hooking devices. These pins act as mediators between the actuating devices and the hooking devices, enabling efficient and damage-free release through a controlled mechanical interaction that improves both operational ease and processing speed
2Ease of operation
If violent blows are applied to transverse walls to release mutual locking, then the crate can be opened, but this causes damage to the crates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the violent mechanical blow method with a controlled mechanical actuation system. The actuating devices with conical or wedge-shaped pins provide a controlled, gradual release mechanism that eliminates the harmful shock and impact forces, thereby preventing damage to the crate structure while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs conical or wedge-shaped pins that gradually engage and disengage the mutual hooking devices through a controlled mechanical action. This beforehand cushioning approach prevents sudden shocks and impacts by distributing the release force over time, thereby eliminating damage to the crates while maintaining operational ease
3Ease of operation
If multiple movements are performed with the tray blocked to actuate release devices, then the release can be achieved, but the machine's performance is rather low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate movements into a single integrated actuating motion. The actuating devices are designed to perform the release function through one coordinated movement with the conveying direction, eliminating the need for multiple sequential operations. This merging significantly improves machine performance while maintaining the ability to effectively actuate the release devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by synchronizing the actuating devices with the conveying motion of the crates. The release operation occurs continuously during the transfer movement without interrupting the production flow, thereby maintaining high machine performance while effectively actuating the release devices through integrated motion
4Adaptability or versatility
If release devices require vertical actuation, then they can be operated, but horizontal actuating devices cannot be used and multiple movements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of actuation from vertical to horizontal by orienting the conical or wedge-shaped pins laterally. This dimensional change allows the actuating devices to interact with vertically sliding release bars through horizontal motion, effectively bridging the compatibility gap while simplifying the actuating mechanism to require only a single movement aligned with the conveying direction
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
This solution enables high-performance, damage-free mechanized closing of crate walls, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to the crates, as the release and folding processes are seamlessly integrated with the crate's transfer movement.
Implementation Method 1
a device is provided on both sides of the transfer area of the crate, which, during the transfer, first actuates the vertically sliding release bar or the release buttons or knobs on the front transverse wall in the transfer direction of the crate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Machine for closing the hinged walls (1p, 1q) of trays (1) after prior actuation (1v) of the release devices by exerting, depending on the type of release device, a vertical thrust (1v) in the case of a release bar (1e), or a horizontal pressure in the case of release buttons or knobs, which is equipped with conveyor belts (4) or other transport elements which act on the bottom of the supplied trays (1) by holding them during their transfer (1a) and which, after the area of actuation of the release devices (1e) and the area of actuation of impact elements (3) for closing (1r) the transverse walls (1q), has an area for closing the longitudinal walls, wherein the actuation (1v) of the release devices (1e) as well as the actuation (3r) of the impact elements (3) for closing (1r) the transverse walls (1q) without stopping the transfer movement (1a) of the trays (1) this is donewherein on both sides of the passage area of the ladder (1), in a position above the conveyor belts (4) or the transport elements, an actuating device (5) for an arm (5g) is provided which at its free end is provided with horizontal, oppositely projecting pins (5e, 5f) which are arranged coaxially to each other and parallel to the transfer movement (1a) of the ladder (1), and wherein said actuating devices (5) transmit pivoting movements (5r) to the arm (5g) in order to assume active positions with the pins (Se, 5f) at the height required for the actuation (1v) of the release devices (1e), or to assume passive positions that do not interfere with the passage of the ladder (1) in order to be moved (5s) horizontally by the same actuating device (5) from the area of actuation of the release devices (1e) on the front transverse wall (1q) to the area of actuation of the release devices (1e) on the rear transverse wall.