Crimping Device Load Cell Integration for Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crimping machines face challenges in accurately controlling preload pressure during the crimping process due to friction and other unforeseen factors, leading to measurement errors and the need for individual calibration of separate sensors for each bottle.
Innovation Solution
A crimping device with a load cell integrated into the machine's fixed structure, which measures the clamping force transmitted through abutment members, allowing for precise control of the crimping pressure and eliminating the need for separate sensors by using a single transducer for all bottles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate force transducers are associated with each bottle support means, then the crimping pressure can be measured for each bottle, but the device complexity increases and individual calibration is required for each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate force transducers into a single force transducer that measures the total crimping force for all bottles simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for individual sensor calibration while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single force transducer serves as a universal measurement device for all bottles in the crimping system, replacing multiple specialized sensors. This multi-functional approach allows one sensor to perform the measurement function for the entire turret, eliminating calibration complexity while preserving measurement capability
2Device complexity
If a single transducer is used to measure the total crimping force, then the device complexity is reduced and calibration is simplified, but the measurement accuracy for individual bottles may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single force transducer that captures the aggregate crimping force. This consolidation simplifies the device architecture and calibration process while providing sufficient measurement data for quality control of the entire batch of bottles
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the single force transducer measurement as a representative copy of the overall crimping process quality, eliminating the need for multiple individual measurements. This approach provides a simplified but effective means of monitoring crimping precision across all bottles
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 solution enables accurate measurement and control of crimping pressure, ensuring reliable sealing and simplifying the process by eliminating the complexity of individual sensor calibration, while maintaining economic costs and versatility across various container types.
Implementation Method 1
transducer means for the measurement of the force, which are associated with a fixed structure of the machine
Data Source
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AI summary
The crimping device is used in a machine for closing containers comprising a turret (21) rotatable according to a vertical axis, peripherally carrying a plurality of support means (22) for the containers (2) provided with a closure cap (3); handling means for said support means (22) to drive in rotation said containers (2) according to their own axis; a corresponding plurality of crimping heads (30) carried by said turret (21) respectively at said support means (22) and carrying each a crimping blade (31) which is tilting between a disengagement position and an approached working position to said cap (3). The crimping device comprises a plurality of abutment members (25) predisposed to act as an upper abutment for the closure cap (3) of the containers (2) and means (35) predisposed to transmit the clamping force of said cap (3) detected by said abutment members (25) to transducer means (40), for the control of the crimping force.