Detachable Feed Chain Drivers for Rapid Format Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tubular bagging machines, the existing feed chain units require significant structural effort and downtime for format changes due to the need to disassemble and reconfigure drivers and chains, which is inefficient and time-consuming, especially when dealing with products of varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
The feed chain unit design allows for easy detachment and reconfiguration of drivers and carriers, with components that can be quickly exchanged or adjusted without disassembling the entire chain, using a combination of articulated and detachable parts to maintain the upright angle and position of drivers, and a support chain system that pivots to minimize space requirements and prevent product damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the feed chain is designed with firmly connected carriers to ensure reliable product transport, then the reliability of product supply is improved, but the device complexity increases and format changes become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is divided into two separate parts: a base part that remains firmly connected to the feed chain for reliable transport, and a driver part that can be easily exchanged for format changes. This segmentation allows the transport function to remain reliable while reducing the complexity of reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the driver part and base part is made dynamically adjustable - firmly connected during operation for reliability, but easily detachable when format changes are needed. This dynamic connection system resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drivers are physically redesigned to adapt to different product shapes, then the adaptability to various products is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to required disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the driver into a permanent base part and an exchangeable driver part, the system achieves high adaptability to different product shapes while maintaining ease of operation. The driver part can be quickly swapped without disassembling the entire feed chain structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The product-specific driver part is extracted as a separate, exchangeable component from the base part. This allows the adaptive driver part to be removed and replaced without affecting the permanent base part or requiring disassembly of the feed chain itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the feed chain is removed for format changes to reconfigure drivers, then the adaptability to new products is improved, but the productivity decreases due to long downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The driver segmentation allows format changes to be performed by simply exchanging the driver part on the running feed chain, eliminating the need to remove the entire feed chain and thus minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple driver parts for different product formats can be prepared in advance and kept ready for quick exchange. This preliminary preparation of exchangeable parts enables rapid format changes without stopping the feed chain for extended periods.
4Ease of operation
If the drivers protrude radially from the feed chain to push products effectively, then the ease of operation is improved, but the space requirements increase downstream
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is designed to dynamically change its orientation - protruding radially when needed to push products effectively, then rotating to a more compact position when not in use. This dynamic positioning reduces the permanent space requirement while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver can change its orientation from a radial protrusion (occupying horizontal space) to a vertical or angled position (occupying different spatial dimensions). This dimensional change allows effective product pushing while minimizing the footprint downstream.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
In order to enable fast changeover times and yet fast, always correct filling of the compartments of the feed chain (2) in a feed chain unit, according to the invention - the carriers (3) are detachably attached to the feed chain (2) and can be replaced with new, differently designed carriers (3) if necessary, which makes it possible to change the format of the feed chain unit in an extremely short time and - a support surface for the products (100) that runs with the feed chain (2) is designed in such a way that it obstructs downstream assemblies for e.g. the forming of a film tube as little as possible.