Automatic Format-Changing Device for Horizontal Flexible Container Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual positioning of support carriages in automatic horizontal flexible container forming and filling machines is labor-intensive and lacks precision, requiring significant time to adapt to different container formats.
Innovation Solution
An automatic format-changing device with a screw spindle, motor unit, clutch element, and locking means, including detection systems, allows for precise and rapid repositioning of support carriages using electronically controllable actuators and position signals to adapt the container forming section to various formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual positioning of support carriages is used to adapt the container forming section to different formats, then the device can be simple in structure, but the positioning precision is low and labor time is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated screw-spindle and motor unit system. The motor unit rotates the screw spindle, which through nuts coupled to the carriages, automatically positions them along the guide rails. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with an automated electromechanical system directly improves positioning precision while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The format-changing device operates autonomously through the interaction of its components: the motor unit automatically rotates the screw spindle, the nuts automatically engage and disengage from the screw threads, and the carriages automatically move to predetermined positions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention and achieves high positioning precision through the inherent mechanical precision of the screw-nut system.
2Loss of time
If manual positioning of support carriages is used, then the device complexity is low, but the labor time and time required for format change is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated electromechanical system comprising a motor unit, screw spindle, and nuts. This automation allows rapid repositioning of multiple carriages simultaneously or sequentially, dramatically reducing the time required for format changes from what would be required for manual positioning of each carriage individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw spindle and nut system is pre-configured with threading that enables predetermined positioning. When the motor unit rotates the screw spindle, the nuts automatically engage at specific points along the spiral path, positioning carriages at pre-determined locations corresponding to different container formats. This preliminary configuration of the mechanical system enables rapid format changes without complex control programming.
3Productivity
If a screw spindle with motor unit and clutch elements is used for automatic repositioning, then positioning precision and speed are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch elements act as intermediaries between the motor unit/screw spindle system and the support carriages. Each clutch element can engage or disengage independently, allowing selective coupling of carriages to the moving screw spindle. This intermediary mechanism enables complex coordinated movement of multiple carriages while using relatively simple individual components, improving productivity without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the format-changing system into independent modular units: individual clutch elements for each carriage, separate nuts for each carriage, and a common screw spindle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function simply and reliably, while the coordinated operation of all segments achieves high overall productivity. Each carriage can be positioned independently or in groups, flexibly adapting to different format requirements.
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
Enables fast and precise automatic repositioning of operative units, reducing labor time and improving positioning accuracy for different flexible container formats, enhancing machine efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a screw spindle parallel to the guide rails rotatably installed in the framing, a motor unit operatively connected for rotating said screw spindle, a plurality of nuts, each coupled to the screw spindle
Implementation Method 2
a clutch element movably installed in each support carriage and moved by a clutch actuator between a clutch position, in which said clutch element interferes with said nut blocking rotation of the nut with respect to said coupling support
Implementation Method 3
guide followers fixed to said support carriages and slidingly coupled to said guide rails
Data Source
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AI summary
The automatic format-changing device comprises guide rails (2) fixed to a framing (1), guide followers (4) fixed to support carriages (3) provided for holding respective operative units and slidingly coupled to said guide rails (2), a motor unit (6) operatively connected for rotating a screw spindle (5) parallel to the guide rails (2), a nut (7) coupled to the screw spindle (5) and axially retained in each carriage (3), a clutch actuator (10) moving in each carriage (3) a clutch element (9) between a clutch position blocking rotation of the nut (7) and a release position allowing rotation of the nut (7), and locking means for fixing each carriage (3) in a selected position of the framing (1) according to a predetermined flexible container format to be produced.