Filling Device Independent Carrier Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling devices require complex mechanisms to adjust the fill level, making it difficult to change the filling level without laboriously adjusting the height of the ring bowl or replacing spacers, and they often have high complexity.

Innovation Solution

A filling device with a position adjustment system where the return gas tubes are on a second common carrier that can be adjusted independently and steplessly relative to the first common carrier, allowing for easy adjustment of the fill level without altering the first carrier's position, using a system of gears and motors for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the height of the ring bowl is adjusted to change the fill level, then the filling level can be changed, but the mechanism complexity increases and adjustment becomes laborious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill levelVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two independent adjustable carriers: the first common carrier holding filling tubes and the second common carrier holding return gas tubes. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each carrier, enabling simple fill level control by moving only the second carrier without affecting the filling tube positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second common carrier is made dynamically adjustable relative to the first common carrier through a position adjustment device. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the return gas tubes to be repositioned independently to change the fill level, replacing static structures like fixed ring bowls or spacers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If spacers are replaced to adjust the fill level, then the filling level can be changed, but the adjustment process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill levelVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The position adjustment device enables dynamic, continuous adjustment of the second common carrier's position relative to the first common carrier. This replaces the static spacer system with a mechanically adjustable system that can be repositioned quickly and precisely without manual spacer replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows continuous change of the positional parameter of the second common carrier, enabling stepless adjustment of the fill level. This replaces discrete spacer thicknesses with a continuous adjustment mechanism that can be tuned to any required fill level within the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the return gas pipe height is adjusted independently of the ring bowl, then the fill level can be adjusted more flexibly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill level adjustabilityVSAvoidposition adjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the return gas tube support into a separate second common carrier that can be independently positioned relative to the filling tubes on the first common carrier. This segmentation provides independent adjustability of the return gas tube height, enabling flexible fill level control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The position adjustment device serves multiple functions: it adjusts the fill level by positioning the second carrier, maintains proper alignment between filling tubes and return gas tubes, and adapts to different container types and sizes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile adjustment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2386518B2Filling device
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 KRONES AG
  • EP2386518B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2386518B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2386518B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has filling elements (102) provided with respective filling valves, filling tubes (104) and return gas tubes (103). The return gas tubes are arranged at a common support (106). A position of the common support is adjusted relative to a position of another support (105). A product channel is arranged in and/or at the latter common support, and connected with the filling tubes such that fluid is guided from the channel into the filling tubes and/or vice versa. The common supports are formed in circular shape. A vacuum channel and a return gas channel are separated from each other.