Dynamic Engagement Element for Wear-Free Container Support Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport apparatuses for packaging machines in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries face issues with slow and wear-prone hooking/unhooking mechanisms, leading to productivity losses and contamination risks due to pin dragging, especially in the pharmaceutical sector.
Innovation Solution
A transport apparatus with coupling means featuring a housing and engagement element that can be controlled between operative and non-operative positions, eliminating the need for pin dragging during hooking/unhooking, and incorporating a reinforcing element and conical coupling surfaces for improved wear resistance and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pins are used to couple supports to carriages by dragging them into housings, then the coupling mechanism is simple in structure, but wear occurs frequently requiring maintenance and causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element is designed to be movable between a retracted position (during coupling) and an engaged position (during operation). This dynamic positioning allows the element to avoid contact during the coupling phase, eliminating wear, while providing secure engagement during the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element is automatically positioned in the retracted state before the coupling operation begins. This preliminary positioning prevents the element from interfering with the support insertion, allowing the coupling portion to engage the groove without resistance or dragging.
2Ease of operation
If pins drag in carriages during hooking/unhooking, then the coupling process is straightforward, but dust is generated polluting the environment and containers
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element dynamically transitions from a retracted non-contact state during coupling to an engaged state during operation. This eliminates dust-generating friction during the hooking process while maintaining secure connection during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element is effectively extracted or removed from the interaction zone during the coupling operation. By retracting the element, it is taken out of the path of the support, preventing contact and thus preventing dust generation during the hooking process.
3Strength
If supports are fixed to carriages with screws and bolts, then the coupling is secure, but the mounting and removal process takes a lot of time reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a coupling portion for mechanical engagement, an engagement element for securing, and a control system for operation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently, enabling rapid coupling without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element's movable design allows it to be quickly positioned into or out of the engaged state, enabling rapid mounting and removal of supports. The dynamic nature of the system replaces the time-consuming screw and bolt operations with a quick mechanical engagement action.
4Reliability
If engagement elements are always protruding to ensure secure coupling, then the coupling is reliable, but dragging occurs during hooking/unhooking causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element's position is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase: retracted during coupling to prevent wear, and protruding during operation to ensure secure coupling. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element is preliminarily positioned in the retracted state before coupling begins, ensuring that the hooking process occurs without wear. After coupling is complete, the element is then moved to the engaged position to provide secure coupling for the operational phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transport apparatus (1) for containers (2) and a method to hook/unhook a support (5) for containers (2) to/from a carriage (4). The apparatus comprises: a guide (3); a carriage (4) which is slidable along the guide (3); a support (5) which retains at least one container (2) and which can be coupled in a removable manner to the carriage (4); coupling means (6) for removably coupling the support (5) and the carriage (4), which coupling means (6) comprise a housing (7) and an engagement element (8) which are mutually shaped so that at least a portion of the engagement element (8) can be inserted into the housing (7). The engagement element (8) is housed in a relative seat (9) formed in the carriage (4) or in the support (5) and is movable between an operative position (A), in which the engagement element (8) protrudes from the seat (9) to be able to engage the housing (7) formed in the support (5) or in the carriage (4), and a non-operative position (B), in which the engagement element (8) is arranged retracted inside the seat (9). The apparatus (1) comprises control means (10) for controlling the engagement element (8) to move the engagement element (8) between the operative position (A) and the non-operative position (B).