External Filler Valve Actuation for Carousel Filling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carousel-type filling machines for containers suffer from contamination risks due to internal rods, complex maintenance, and product stagnation, making it difficult to service and clean the filler valves without dismantling parts.
Innovation Solution
The machine features externally located filler valves with levers and pneumatically or electromagnetically operated nozzles, allowing easy servicing and maintenance without tank disassembly, with a design that minimizes turbulence and ensures hygiene standards by using a cylindrical barrel with a tapered housing and sealing mechanisms to prevent product entry into the operating chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rods are installed internally within the tank to operate filler valves, then the filler valves can be actuated, but the product becomes contaminated and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rod mechanism is extracted from the internal tank space and relocated to the external periphery. The rod now passes through the tank wall rather than extending through the product space, eliminating the source of contamination while preserving the valve actuation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filler valve system is segmented into two separate zones: the product-containing zone (tank interior) and the actuation zone (tank exterior). This separation allows the rod to operate the valve without penetrating the product space, thus preventing contamination while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If rods extend through the tank to operate filler valves, then the valves can be controlled, but cleaning thoroughness is reduced due to interstitial spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is extracted from the tank interior to the exterior, removing the structural element that created cleaning obstacles. This allows complete access to the tank interior for thorough cleaning without interference from rod structures or interstitial spaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filler valves are connected to external actuators via levers, then product contamination is reduced, but the machine structure becomes notably more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rod and lever mechanisms are merged into a single integrated actuation system located externally. The rod directly transmits motion to the valve without requiring intermediate lever connections, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining external actuation benefits.
4Ease of operation
If rods are installed internally in the tank, then filler valve operation is achieved, but servicing and replacement become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is relocated to the external periphery of the tank, making it readily accessible for servicing, inspection, and replacement. This eliminates the need for tank disassembly or complex internal access procedures, significantly improving maintenance ease while preserving valve operation capability.
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
This design enables easy and thorough maintenance of filler nozzles, reduces contamination risks, and ensures compliance with hygiene standards by allowing external access and operation of the nozzles, enhancing the overall efficiency and cleanliness of the filling process.
Implementation Method 1
a seal fitted to the opening and engaging with the rod in sliding contact to prevent product entry into the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a piston movable between two extreme positions within the chamber and engaging with the valve element to actuate the same
Implementation Method 3
a rod extending partly into the chamber and carrying the valve element at one end. Axial motion induced in the rod causes the valve element to shift
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Containers are filled with liquid or powder products by a machine equipped with a carousel rotatable about a vertical axis and carrying a set of pedestals on which single containers are positioned and weighed while being filled with a product (P). Also carried by the carousel is a feed tank (7) equipped with a set of nozzles (8) spaced around the axis (5) of rotation, from which the product (P) is dispensed into the containers placed on the pedestals. Each nozzle (8) appears as a cylindrical barrel (10) delimiting a feed duct (9) and terminating at bottom in an outlet (12) opened and closed by a reciprocating valve element (13); motion is induced in the valve element by a mechanism (14) enclosed within a fluidynamically streamlined housing (15) installed internally of the feed duct (9).