Dual Elevator Container Supply Machine with Alignment Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container supply machines face inefficiencies due to random container arrangement in hoppers, leading to suboptimal work regimes and reduced supply frequency, as multiple blades often fail to collect containers within a cycle.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates a dual elevator system with horizontal blades and an alignment station to collect and align containers horizontally, increasing supply frequency and reliability, with flexible blades and a holdback system to prevent obstruction and ensure smooth transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single elevator with horizontal blades is used to collect containers from the hopper, then the machine structure remains simple, but the supply frequency and productivity are reduced because multiple blades often fail to collect containers within a work cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The single elevator is divided into multiple independent elevators (first elevator with first blades, second elevator with second blades), each capable of collecting containers independently. This segmentation allows parallel container collection, increasing supply frequency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-dimensional (one elevator) to multi-dimensional (multiple elevators operating in parallel) container collection. The elevators are arranged to operate simultaneously from different positions, adding spatial dimensionality to the collection process and thereby increasing overall productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If containers are collected directly from random arrangement in the hopper, then the collection process is simple, but the alignment precision is insufficient for subsequent processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment station performs preliminary alignment actions on containers before they enter the positioning station. By pre-aligning containers horizontally and in proper sequence, the system ensures correct orientation for subsequent processing without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment station acts as an intermediary between the random hopper arrangement and the precise positioning requirement. It provides a intermediate alignment phase that prepares containers for the final positioning step, bridging the gap between random input and precise output requirements
3Productivity
If multiple blades operate simultaneously to increase container collection, then productivity improves, but the reliability decreases due to random container arrangement causing empty blades
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the alignment station monitors and adjusts container presentation to multiple elevators. This feedback ensures that containers are properly positioned and presented to each blade, increasing the reliability of collection while maintaining high productivity through parallel operation
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for supplying containers that comprises: a hopper (10) configured to contain a plurality of containers (100) arranged randomly; a transfer station (20); and a first elevator (30) that has first horizontal blades (31) longitudinally, each of said first blades (21) being configured to collect a first container (101) from the hopper (10) and lift the same in a horizontal position to the transfer station (20). Said machine (1) comprises a second elevator (40), parallel to the first elevator (30), that has second horizontal blades (41) longitudinally, each of said second blades (41) being configured to collect a second container (102) from the hopper (10) and lift the same in a horizontal position to the transfer station (20); and an alignment station (50) configured to receive the first (101) and second containers (102) coming from the transfer station (20) and supply the same horizontally in an aligned manner.