Egg Packing Device Gate Width Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packing systems for egg trays struggle to adapt the width of gates quickly and simply, which affects the efficient flow and packing of eggs.
Innovation Solution
The packing system allows partitions to be displaced at right angles, with adapting means enabling simultaneous adjustment of all gate widths using a single operating element, and incorporates shaking fingers with elastic contact means and height limiters to guide and protect eggs, along with stop pins for creating empty spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protruding elements are placed on partitions to reduce passage width, then gate width can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is designed as a movable component that can be displaced perpendicular to its length direction. The adapting means includes a drive mechanism with drive gear and driven gear that enable dynamic adjustment of partition position, allowing gate width to be changed from static to dynamically adjustable. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through a relatively simple gear-based displacement mechanism rather than complex protruding element arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it can adjust all partitions simultaneously to change gate widths, and it can create empty spaces in the egg flow by positioning partitions in specific configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for different purposes, simplifying the overall device while maintaining high adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple partitions are adjusted individually to change gate widths, then precise control is achieved, but the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple partitions are connected through a unified drive mechanism where the drive gear engages with driven gears on multiple partitions simultaneously. This allows all partitions to be adjusted in a coordinated manner, maintaining precise control over gate widths while reducing adjustment time compared to individual manual adjustment of each partition.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism enables periodic adjustment of partitions, where the drive gear rotates in discrete steps to adjust partitions sequentially or simultaneously. This periodic action allows for precise positioning while maintaining efficient adjustment speed, resolving the contradiction between precision and time.
3Ease of operation
If shaking fingers are made rigid to guide eggs effectively, then egg guidance is improved, but egg damage increases due to impact
Solution Approach 1:
The shaking fingers are designed with flexible characteristics, allowing them to bend or deform upon impact with eggs. This flexibility maintains the guidance function by keeping the fingers in position while reducing the harmful impact force transmitted to the eggs, effectively resolving the contradiction between guidance effectiveness and egg protection.
4Stability of the object's composition
If height limiters are positioned close to eggs to prevent rolling, then egg flow control is improved, but egg damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The height limiters are designed with flexible or resilient characteristics, allowing them to yield slightly when eggs contact them. This maintains the flow control function by preventing excessive rolling while minimizing impact damage through the flexible contact, resolving the contradiction between stability control and egg protection.
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
Enables rapid and uniform adjustment of gate widths, improves egg flow by guiding and protecting eggs from damage, and allows for efficient creation of empty spaces in the egg flow.
Implementation Method 1
these fingers are provided with elastic or resilient contact means for receiving in a resilient manner eggs hitting the fingers during operation. In an advantageous embodiment the contact means are formed by helical springs.
Implementation Method 2
For avoiding damaged eggs the height limiters are preferably provided with further elastic or resilient contact means. These further contact means are preferably formed by further helical springs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packing system 1 for filling egg trays comprises feeding means 5 for feeding eggs 7, as well as a plurality of spaced, adjacent partitions 9 located directly above the feeding means which extend in the direction of feed of the eggs, where the partitions form the side walls of gates 11 to transport means 13 for further transport of the eggs. Each gate is bounded by two unique partitions 9a and 9b, so that two partitions are located between two adjacent gates of which one partition forms a boundary for the one gate and the other partition forms a boundary for the other gate. The partitions can be displaced in a direction 14 at right angles to the partitions and the packing system comprises adapting means 17 for displacing the partitions, where the two partitions bounding a gate can be displaced towards each other and away from each other.