Dividing Screw Container Feeding with Variable Speed Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to ensure safe and damage-free transport of containers to a further processing unit, such as a labeling machine, at a predefined distance, leading to potential machine downtimes and container damage.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring at least two drivable conveyor belts associated with a dividing screw, where the belts' speeds are adapted to match the reference speed of the screw, and are inclined relative to the screw's axis, ensuring containers transition from one belt to another as they move along the screw, maintaining contact with a V-groove to maintain distance and reduce speed variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are transported on conveyor belts to a dividing screw, then they can be fed to a processing unit, but speed variations and gaps between containers occur leading to potential damage and machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple conveyor belts (at least two) with different speed characteristics. The first conveyor belt transports containers to the dividing screw at a lower speed, while the second conveyor belt receives containers from the dividing screw at a higher speed. This segmentation allows each belt to operate optimally without causing speed shocks or gaps that would damage containers or cause machine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belts are designed with different transport speeds as a key parameter. The first conveyor belt operates at a lower speed to gently feed containers to the dividing screw, while the second conveyor belt operates at a higher speed to efficiently transport containers away. This parameter change in speed between different stages resolves the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single conveyor belt is used to transport containers to the dividing screw, then the structure is simple, but containers may be pushed or squeezed leading to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single conveyor belt, the system segments the transport function across multiple belts. The first conveyor belt feeds containers to the dividing screw at a controlled, lower speed, preventing pushing or squeezing. The second conveyor belt receives containers at the divided positions and transports them at higher speed. This segmentation eliminates the harmful pushing effect while maintaining structural feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividing screw acts as an intermediary device between the two conveyor belts. It receives containers from the first conveyor belt at low speed, processes them to create proper spacing, and transfers them to the second conveyor belt. This intermediary function prevents direct high-speed contact that would cause container damage.
3Productivity
If the dividing screw operates at high speed to increase productivity, then more containers can be processed, but containers experience sudden speed changes causing gaps and potential machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed transport function is separated from the dividing screw operation. The first conveyor belt maintains low speed to feed the dividing screw steadily, while the second conveyor belt handles high-speed transport away from the screw. This segmentation allows the dividing screw to operate smoothly without sudden speed changes, preventing gaps and machine downtime while maintaining high overall productivity through the second belt's high-speed operation.
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 ensures containers are fed to the processing unit at a consistent distance, reducing the risk of damage and machine downtime by gradually increasing the tensile force on containers, ensuring they are transferred without gaps or pushing, thus maintaining a stable and efficient feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
the containers are in contact with a V-groove of the dividing worm... ensuring containers transition from one belt to another as they move along the screw, maintaining contact with a V-groove
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device (1) for feeding containers (4) to a processing unit (2), which receives the containers (4) at a distance (D) from each other, is disclosed. At the beginning (16) of the single-section screw (6), the containers (4) enter edge to edge, and at one end (26) of the single-section screw (6), they have the required distance (D) from each other. At least two conveyor belts (11, 12) driven at a constant speed are arranged with respect to the single-section screw (6) such that the containers (4) are in contact with a wedge groove (7) of the single-section screw (6). The first conveyor belt (11) at the beginning (16) of the single-section screw (6) has a lower speed in the transport direction (T) than the conveyor belt (12) at the end (26) of the single-section screw (6).