Motor-Driven Displacement Arms for Container Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment machines face challenges in efficiently positioning containers of different geometric dimensions, particularly varying outer diameters, due to fixed shifting distances in over-pushing facilities, leading to cumbersome and time-consuming changes.
Innovation Solution
A container treatment device with a motor-driven over-pushing device equipped with three displacement arms, allowing for independent and synchronized movement across the transport direction, enabling flexible positioning of containers of different dimensions without the need for format parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed shifting distances are used in the transfer device, then the device structure is simple, but it requires laborious and time-consuming change of format parts and stops for containers with different geometric dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device employs motor-driven displacement arms with variable shifting distances that can be dynamically adjusted based on container dimensions. The control unit receives container geometry data and automatically adjusts the displacement distance of each arm, eliminating the need for manual format part changes and stops. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different container sizes without interrupting the treatment process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motor-driven displacement arms with independent control are used, then containers of different dimensions can be positioned flexibly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven displacement arms are designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. Each displacement arm can serve multiple purposes: pushing containers laterally, positioning them at treatment positions, and adjusting for different container diameters. The control unit integrates the coordination of all three arms, allowing them to work independently or in combination based on the container geometry, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Productivity
If three displacement arms are used instead of two, then synchronous transfer of containers is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The third displacement arm is strategically positioned to provide localized support and stabilization during the transfer process. While all three arms can operate synchronously, the third arm specifically handles containers with larger diameters or irregular geometries that require additional contact points for stable pushing. The control unit activates the third arm only when container geometry requires it, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while avoiding unnecessary complexity for standard container sizes.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an essential aspect, the invention relates to a treatment device for treating containers, such as cans, barrels, or kegs, which treatment device has at least two mutually opposed treatment positions arranged laterally one one each side of the transport device, in which treatment positions the containers can be treated, and at least one displacement means, which is provided in the region of the treatment device and can be driven by a motor, for displacing the containers from the transport device to at least one of the two opposing treatment positions and back to the at least one transport device, wherein the at least one displacement means for displacing the containers has at least three displacement arms, which are displaceable transversely to the transport direction and can be displaced independently of one another in a motor-driven manner, such that, in order to displace the containers, in each case two of the three displacement arms rest against at least two substantially mutually opposed bearing points on the outer surface of a particular container and are displaceable synchronously with one another.