Dropper Machine Adjustable Nozzle Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dropper machines face challenges in productivity due to the production of defective finished products and the need to adjust the spatial arrangement of metering devices for different receptacle sizes and types, leading to unnecessary waste and stop times.
Innovation Solution
A dropper machine with adjustable nozzle configurations and actuator control allows for automated adaptation to different receptacle arrangements, preventing delivery to defective receptacles and varying the interaxial distance between nozzles using a cam device, enabling quick configuration changes without stopping the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the dropper machine uses a fixed spatial arrangement of metering devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different receptacle types and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spatial arrangement of metering devices adjustable rather than fixed. The support structure allows metering devices to be repositioned along the conveyor path, enabling the system to adapt to different receptacle configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the dropper machine stops to adjust metering device arrangement for different products, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure enables dynamic repositioning of metering devices during operation or between cycles, allowing the system to maintain precise alignment with different receptacle types without requiring complete shutdowns for reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering devices are pre-positioned on the adjustable support structure, allowing quick reconfiguration to different positions for different product types without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the dropping process.
3Productivity
If the dropper machine delivers substance to all receptacles, then the productivity is maintained, but the loss of substance increases due to defective receptacles
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives information about receptacle quality status and uses this feedback to selectively activate or deactivate metering devices, preventing substance delivery to defective receptacles while maintaining continuous operation for good receptacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different delivery actions to different receptacles based on their individual quality status, with metering devices being selectively activated only for receptacles that meet quality criteria, thereby preventing waste while maintaining overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dropper machine for pouring a measured amount of a substance in a plurality of receptacles, including:a reservoir containing the substance to be dropped,cylinder and piston metering devices,a drive unit arranged to simultaneously drive the piston of the metering devices wherein each of the metering devices is associated with a respective actuating device cooperating with the piston of the metering device, the actuator device being operable individually to inhibit the delivery of the substance to be dropped through the nozzle when the drive unit is actuated to cause displacement of the pistons of the metering devices associated therewith between the start position and the end position.