Dynamic Belt Tension Control for Packaging Bag Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging bag inversion devices face challenges in maintaining consistent tension on guide belts, leading to insufficient or excessive holding force during bag inversion, especially when bags of varying thickness are processed, and can result in jamming and reduced productivity due to overlapping bags.

Innovation Solution

An inversion device equipped with a status detection sensor, roller position adjustment mechanism, and transfer control unit to automatically adjust the relative position of the holding belt and supply belt based on detected conditions, ensuring appropriate tension and preventing jamming, even with overlapping bags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the guide belt tension is kept constant, then the device structure is simple, but the holding force becomes insufficient for thin bags or excessive for thick bags

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide belt tension adjustment mechanismVSAvoidholding force appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide belt tension is made dynamically adjustable through a tension adjustment mechanism that allows the tension to be changed according to the thickness of the packaging bag being processed. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the static tension system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different bag types, ensuring appropriate holding force without requiring complex permanent adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tension parameter of the guide belt is made variable to match different bag thicknesses. By changing the tension parameter dynamically rather than keeping it constant, the system can accommodate both thin and thick bags appropriately, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and holding force appropriateness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual readjustment of guide belt tension is performed for each bag type change, then the holding force becomes appropriate, but the adjustment work becomes complicated and productivity drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding force appropriatenessVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tension adjustment mechanism is designed to automatically adapt to different bag thicknesses without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting or responding to the bag characteristics and adjusting the guide belt tension accordingly, thereby maintaining appropriate holding force while eliminating the complicated manual adjustment work and preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the holding belt is placed close to the supply belt, then the inversion is effective, but overlapping bags cause jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinversion effectivenessVSAvoidjamming of overlapping bags
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The relative position between the holding belt and supply belt is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the system to optimize the distance between belts based on whether bags are overlapping or not, maintaining effective inversion for normal bags while preventing jamming when overlapping bags are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If the guide belt tension is increased for thick bags, then the holding force becomes sufficient, but thin bags may be ruptured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidbag rupture
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide belt tension parameter is made variable to match the thickness of the packaging bag. By changing the tension parameter dynamically according to bag characteristics, the system applies sufficient holding force for thick bags while using lower tension for thin bags, thereby preventing rupture while maintaining effective inversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3228565B1Inversion device
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 TOYO JIDOKI CO LTD
  • EP3228565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3228565B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3228565B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inversion device (10) includes: a supply unit (12) including a supply belt (25) that continuously travels together with a packaging bag (11) in an inversion section (S1) having an arc-like path; a transfer holding unit (13) including a holding belt (35) that is provided to be able to travel while facing the supply belt (25) in the inversion section (S1) and holds the packaging bag (11) by sandwiching the packaging bag (11) between the holding belt (35) itself and the supply belt (25) traveling in the inversion section (S1); a tension adjustment unit (14) that adjusts tension of the holding belt (35) in such a manner that the holding belt (35) is pressed against the supply belt (25) in the inversion section (S1); and an unloading unit (29) that receives the packaging bag (11) discharged from the inversion section (S1), wherein: the tension adjustment unit (14) includes: a pressing unit (45) that is movable, presses the holding belt (35), and determines the tension of the holding belt (35) according to an arrangement position of the pressing unit (45); and a biasing unit (46) that biases the pressing unit (45) in a direction which causes increase in the tension of the holding belt (35).