Extendable Divider Guide for Packaging Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Downstream packaging equipment faces challenges in maintaining the transverse orientation of packages when shifting from a single line to multiple parallel lines, leading to potential package jamming due to unwanted rotation.
Innovation Solution
A divider system with a guide inlet and extendable guide outlet, accompanied by a receiving guide that forms a guiding track to cover the longitudinal distance between the outlet and the distribution line, ensuring packages are properly aligned and oriented during the shifting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packages are transported through a divider from a single line to multiple parallel lines, then the packages are efficiently sorted and distributed, but the packages experience unwanted rotation and loss of transverse orientation
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving guide is introduced as an intermediary element between the guide outlet and the distribution line. This receiving guide maintains the transverse orientation of packages during the transition by providing a controlled guiding path, preventing unwanted rotation while enabling efficient sorting into multiple parallel lines
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the orientation problem by extending the guiding function into the longitudinal dimension. The receiving guide extends from the guide outlet toward the distribution line, creating a three-dimensional guiding structure that maintains transverse orientation while accommodating longitudinal movement during package transfer
2Manufacturing precision
If the guide outlet is extended to cover the distance to the distribution line, then package orientation is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding function is segmented into two distinct components: the guide outlet and the receiving guide. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the guide outlet for directing packages and the receiving guide for maintaining orientation - without requiring either component to be overly complex or extended
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~2f
AI summary
A divider (100) for shifting the conveying path of transported packaging containers (20) from a feeding line (130) to a transversally shifted distribution line (140), is provided. The divider (100) comprises a guide inlet (102), and a guide outlet (104) extending from the downstream end of the guide inlet (102) and being configured to deliver guided packaging container (20) to an entry section (142) of the distribution line (140), wherein the guide outlet (104) is extendable reciprocally from a retracted position, and an extended position. The divider (100) further comprises a receiving guide (120) forming a guiding track (122) for receiving packaging containers (20) delivered from the guide outlet (104), wherein said guiding track (122) being configured to at least partly cover the first longitudinal distance between the guide outlet (104) and the entry section (142) of the distribution line (140).