Crosshead for Rectifying Objects from Vibrating Bowl
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for orienting objects exiting a vibrating bowl, which are inclined relative to the vertical, struggle to efficiently transition these objects to a vertical conveying strip, often requiring complex and non-reproducible mechanisms for proper orientation and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A guiding and straightening stick with a controlled fall mechanism, featuring parallel soles and adjustable head and tail slides, ensures objects are oriented vertically by guiding the objects' heads on the upper face of the soles and preventing head-first falls through the use of interchangeable and adjustable components, facilitating a compact and reproducible system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spin mechanism is used to change orientation of objects between bowl outlet and strip inlet, then objects can be reoriented from inclined to vertical position, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes less reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
The stick is divided into functionally distinct segments: an inlet portion receiving objects from the bowl, a body portion with guide means (parallel soles) for controlled reorientation, and an outlet portion transferring to the strip. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining effectiveness in changing object orientation from inclined to vertical.
Solution Approach 2:
The stick acts as an intermediary element between the vibrating bowl outlet and the conveying strip inlet. It receives inclined objects from the bowl, provides a controlled fall with guidance through its body portion to reorient them vertically, and then transfers them to the strip. This intermediary function simplifies the transition mechanism compared to direct coupling between bowl and strip.
2Ease of operation
If a non-compact orientation mechanism is used, then objects can be reoriented, but the overall system size increases and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stick is positioned perpendicular to both the bowl outlet direction and the strip inlet direction, creating a three-dimensional transition path. Objects fall vertically through the stick's body portion while being guided by parallel soles, effectively changing their orientation from horizontal/inclined to vertical in a compact spatial arrangement. This dimensional approach allows reorientation in a small volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The stick's body portion features curved guide surfaces (parallel soles) that gently guide objects through their reorientation process. The curved geometry of the guide means allows objects to transition smoothly from inclined to vertical orientation within a compact space, rather than requiring sharp angular changes that would increase system size.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed components are used in the orientation device, then the structure is simpler, but the device cannot adapt to various shapes and sizes of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The stick incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components, particularly the guide means (parallel soles) and end portions, which can be modified to accommodate different object shapes and sizes. This dynamic configuration allows the same basic stick structure to adapt to various pump geometries while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The stick is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple types of objects (different pump shapes and sizes) through its adjustable guide means. The parallel soles and interchangeable end portions allow a single stick design to serve multiple functions across different object types, combining manufacturing simplicity with versatility.
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 a more compact and reproducible system for orienting objects from a vibrating bowl to a vertical conveying strip, ensuring efficient and controlled transfer of objects, adaptable to various shapes and sizes of objects, thereby improving the production process.
Implementation Method 1
the objects being at least initially driven by gravity (controlled fall of the objects in the stock at the bowl outlet) into said stock
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system has an object guiding and rectifying device i.e. crosshead (14), extending in a plane of direction perpendicular to a displacement direction of object at outlet of a vibrating bowl (8). The crosshead has an inlet placed at an outlet of the bowl by limiting a support (9) on a guiding path, and an outlet of the crosshead is placed in continuous with a conveying unit (12). The crosshead has a guiding unit formed by left and right sliding soles (3, 5) separated by a free space in which the object is circulated. Head of the object slides on an upper surface of the soles.