Curved Transfer Element for Preform Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting preforms to blow molding machines experience disruptions and require time-consuming adjustments when changing preform types, leading to potential jamming and stoppages due to the complexity of transferring preforms from sorting devices to discharge conveyors.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a curved guide surface that smoothly transitions between the sorting device and discharge conveyor, ensuring continuous guidance of preforms without significant steps, allowing for adaptation to different preform geometries without manual adjustment, and can be easily retrofitted into existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed connecting element is used to transfer preforms from sorting device to discharge conveyor, then the transfer path is defined, but the element requires time-consuming adjustments when changing preform types and causes disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is designed with a curved guide surface that can dynamically adapt to different preform geometries. The curved surface allows the element to flexibly accommodate varying preform shapes and sizes without requiring manual adjustment, enabling continuous operation when changing preform types.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element features a curved guide surface with varying radius that changes geometric parameters along its length. This allows the same element to handle different preform types by utilizing different portions of the curved surface, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the connecting element is designed to accommodate different preform geometries, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of the element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into multiple sections with different curvature radii along its length. Each section can accommodate specific preform geometries, and the preform naturally follows the appropriate section based on its dimensions, providing versatility without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the connecting element adjustable in one dimension, the solution adds a second dimension by creating a curved guide surface with varying radius along the transfer path. This allows the same element to accommodate different preform types by utilizing different portions of the curved surface.
3Ease of operation
If preforms are transferred onto a fixed connecting element, then the transfer path is defined, but preforms may tilt or jam causing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element features a curved guide surface instead of a flat or angular surface. This curvature allows preforms to smoothly transition from the sorting device to the discharge conveyor, preventing tilting and jamming by providing a continuous, rounded path that accommodates preform geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved connecting element acts as an intermediary between the sorting device and discharge conveyor, mediating the transfer of preforms by providing a transitional path that smoothly connects the two devices while accommodating variations in preform geometry.
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
Ensures a trouble-free flow of preforms to the discharge conveyor, reducing the need for laborious adaptations and minimizing interruptions in the blow molding process, as the transfer element automatically adjusts to various preform types and maintains alignment with the guide surfaces of both devices.
Implementation Method 1
The guide surface runs essentially steplessly from the sorting device to the discharge conveyor device, so that preforms can be guided in a lying position essentially without tilting or jamming
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for conveying preforms (12), for example to a blow molding machine for producing containers from a thermoplastic material. Said apparatus comprises a sorting device (5) in which the preforms (12) are sorted in such a way as to have the same orientation, a gravity conveyor device (8) which is located at the discharge end of the sorting device (5) and via which the preforms (12) are fed to the blow molding machine, and a transfer device (11, 13) which is disposed between the sorting device (5) and the gravity conveyor device (8) and in which the preforms (12) are transferred from the sorting device (5) to the gravity conveyor device (8). The sorting device (5), the conveyor device (8), and the transfer device all have guiding surfaces with specific contours, by means of which the preforms (12) are guided through the apparatus (1). The invention is characterized in that the guiding surfaces adjoin each other essentially in a stepless manner, the transfer device being designed as a transfer element (13) that has a curved guiding surface (22) which is adjusted to the shape of the contour of the guiding surface of the sorting device (5) at the end facing the sorting device while being adjusted to the shape of the contour of the guiding surface of the gravity conveyor device (8) at the end facing the gravity conveyor device. Said two contours of the guiding surfaces facing the ends of the two devices are different, and the guiding surface (22) is stepless between said two ends.