Additive Manufactured Damping Element for Starwheel Container Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport starwheels in container treatment systems cause excessive wear and tear on containers due to abrupt acceleration and direction changes, necessitating a gentler transfer and transport mechanism adaptable to various container formats.
Innovation Solution
A damping element with an elastically deformable section, manufactured via additive processes, is integrated into container receiving pockets of transport starwheels, utilizing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for gentle braking and impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If containers are transferred and transported using conventional transport starwheels, then the transport function is achieved, but excessive wear and tear occurs on containers due to abrupt acceleration and direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping element made of elastically deformable material into the container receiving pocket. This damping element is positioned in advance to contact the container during transfer, absorbing impact energy and reducing abrupt forces before they can damage the container. The elastic material deforms during container contact to cushion the shock, directly addressing the wear and tear problem while maintaining functional transfer speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate tools are designed and manufactured for each container format, then precise adaptation to each format is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a damping element with a standardized mounting structure that can be used across multiple container formats. The elastically deformable material and geometric design allow the same damping element to adapt to different container shapes and sizes through deformation rather than requiring format-specific tools. This single universal component replaces what would otherwise require multiple format-specific damping elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using an elastically deformable damping element that can dynamically adjust its shape and contact surface during container transfer. The material deforms in response to different container geometries, allowing the same physical component to adapt to various formats. This dynamic deformation capability eliminates the need for static, format-specific tools, reducing the number of tools required while maintaining precise adaptation to each container type.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional manufacturing methods (foaming, casting, injection-molding) are used for damping elements, then production is established, but flexibility and rapid redesign capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing traditional mechanical manufacturing processes (foaming, casting, injection-molding) with additive manufacturing (3D printing). This substitution enables digital design files to be directly converted into physical damping elements, allowing rapid iteration and modification of designs without requiring new tooling or molds. The additive process builds parts layer by layer from digital models, providing flexibility to quickly adapt the damping element geometry to different container formats while maintaining production capability.
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 damping element effectively reduces container damage by slowing down the transfer process, allowing for flexible adaptation to different container shapes without the need for separate tools, ensuring durable and efficient container handling.
Implementation Method 1
the container can be braked by means of elastic deformation of the damping section
Implementation Method 2
the contact face is roughened and/or the contact face has a predetermined profiling, texturing or patterning in order to increase friction between the container and the contact face
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a damping element for a container receiving pocket of a container transport starwheel. The damping element has an elastically deformable damping section which has a contact face for contacting a container. The damping element has a preferably elastically deformable mounting section for mounting the damping element in the container receiving pocket of the container transport starwheel. The damping section and the mounting section are formed from a plurality of adjacent, preferably additively manufactured, material layers.