Horizontal Flow Wrapper Head Independent Shaft Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal flow wrapper packaging machines are limited by gear trains and belt arrangements, which restrict package output and cause high component wear, as they rely on a single motor to drive one shaft and a secondary shaft is driven via a gear train or belt arrangement, making it difficult to efficiently switch between perforating and cutting positions.
Innovation Solution
A head for a horizontal flow wrapper packaging machine with independent rotation speeds for two shafts, where knife elements and anvil elements can be moved between perforation and cutting positions using servo motors, allowing for independent control of the upper and lower shafts to crimp, perforate, and cut packaging material, eliminating the need for gear trains and belt arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gear train and belt arrangement is used to drive the second shaft via the first shaft, then the machine structure is simplified, but the package output is limited and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independent shafts, each driven by its own motor. The first shaft drives the cutting knives while the second shaft drives the perforating anvils, allowing independent control and optimization of each function, thereby eliminating the limitations of gear train and belt arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces variable speed control for the second shaft, allowing the rotation speed to be dynamically adjusted independently from the first shaft. This enables flexible switching between cutting and perforating operations, optimizing productivity for different packaging requirements.
2Device complexity
If a gear train and belt arrangement is used to drive the second shaft via the first shaft, then the machine structure is simplified, but component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the drive systems for the first and second shafts, eliminating the need for gear trains and belt arrangements. Each shaft has its own motor, which removes the intermediate transmission components that cause wear, thereby improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
3Device complexity
If the rotation speed of the second shaft is coupled to the first shaft via gear train or belt, then the machine structure is simpler, but the ability to switch between perforating and cutting positions efficiently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements independent variable speed control for the second shaft, allowing dynamic adjustment of rotation speed to optimize performance for either cutting or perforating operations. This independent control enables efficient switching between positions and operations without being constrained by a fixed gear train or belt arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A head for a horizontal flow wrapper packaging machine for forming a bandolier of product packages. The head includes a rotatable first shaft having a plurality of knife elements each including a blade and first and second upper crimping elements. The head also includes a rotatable second shaft having a plurality of anvil elements. A rotation speed of the second shaft is independent of the rotation speed of the first shaft. Each anvil element includes perforation and cutting surfaces and first and second lower crimping elements. A rotation speed of either the first shaft or second shaft is changed to move either a knife element or an anvil element, respectively, between a perforation position and a cutting position. The first upper and first lower crimping elements and the second upper and second lower crimping elements also mate to crimp the packaging material in either the perforating or cutting positions.