Filling Machine Return Tube Quick Coupling Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filling machines for liquids face issues with frequent maintenance needs due to worn-out lip seals, contamination risks, complex tube replacement processes, and high machine stop times, especially when adapting to different container sizes.
Innovation Solution
The filling machine design reduces the number of seals in contact with liquids, incorporates a single-body return tube with quick coupling mechanisms for easy maintenance and replacement, and features a pneumatic actuator system with a spring for reliable operation, allowing for versatile operation across various container sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lip seals are used to ensure the seal between return tube sections, then the seal reliability is improved, but the maintenance frequency increases due to wear and liquid deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lip seals from the system by designing a return tube that connects directly to the delivery duct without requiring sealing elements. The return tube is integrated into the delivery duct structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing components that would wear and require maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The return tube and delivery duct are merged into a single integrated structure. The return tube is no longer a separate component requiring sealing but is directly formed as part of the delivery duct, eliminating the seal interface between these two components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If return tubes are made in separate sections with removable fixing means, then the adaptability to different container sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return tube is divided into multiple sections that can be selectively assembled. The tube comprises a first section and a second section that can be connected or disconnected depending on the container size requirements, allowing flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Ease of repair
If the return tube is removed by disconnecting sections and extracting from the tank, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the loss of time increases due to complete valve group dismounting
Solution Approach 1:
The return tube is segmented into removable sections that can be independently accessed and replaced. The first section remains connected to the actuator means while the second section can be removed from the delivery duct, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly of the valve group.
Solution Approach 2:
The return tube sections are designed with pre-configured connection and disconnection interfaces. The removable fixing means are pre-positioned to allow quick release of the second section from the first section, enabling rapid maintenance operations without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
4Reliability
If lip seals are used in the return tube connection, then the seal reliability is improved, but the contamination risk increases due to liquid deposition on seals
Solution Approach 1:
The lip seals are completely removed from the system. The return tube connects to the delivery duct through a direct structural integration rather than through sealing elements, eliminating the surface where liquid could deposit and cause contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The return tube and delivery duct are merged into an integrated structure without separate sealing components. This eliminates the seal interface that would otherwise be susceptible to liquid deposition and subsequent contamination of the liquid product.
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 minimizes contamination risks, reduces machine stop times, simplifies maintenance, and enables quick tube changes, ensuring efficient and reliable operation while maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a return tube (14) for the air return, which is placed within the delivery duct (16), and adapted to hydraulically adjust the maximum level of the liquid in the container
Implementation Method 2
Each valve group also comprises a shutter (22) placed to intercept the delivery duct (16) and driven to be opened by means of a pneumatic actuator (25) in order to allow the dispensing of the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Filling machine (1) for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a plurality of valve groups (11), each of which provided with a delivery duct (16) in fluid communication with a containment tank (10) for the flow of a liquid in a corresponding container, a return tube (14) for the air return, a first shutter (22) susceptible of interfering with a portion of the delivery duct (16) in order to selectively allow the passage of the liquid, and first actuator means (25) connected to the return tube (14) in order to move it between a raised position and a lowered position. The return tube (14) comprises a first section (14'), placed to traverse the containment tank (10), and a second section (14") placed coaxially within the delivery duct (16), and made in a single body with the first section (14'). The first section (14') is also removably connected to the first actuator means (25) by means of quick coupling means (29).