Packaging Forming Unit Cam Guiding Device Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing forming units for packaging pourable products face challenges in efficiently transitioning rollers between fixed and movable cam profiles, leading to potential wear and reduced lifespan of components.

Innovation Solution

The forming unit incorporates a cam system with guiding devices that constrain movable cam profiles to move parallel to a specific direction, improving the smooth transition of rollers between cam profiles and reducing wear in the transition area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rollers transition between fixed and movable cam profiles without guiding devices, then the cam system structure is simpler, but wear in the transition area increases and component lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent lifespanVSAvoidcam system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device acts as an intermediary element between the roller and the cam profiles. It provides a controlled path for the roller during transition, mediating the interaction between the roller and both the fixed and movable cam profiles, thereby reducing wear and improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding device enables dynamic adjustment of the roller's transition path. As the movable cam profile moves between extracted and retracted positions, the guiding device dynamically adapts to guide the roller smoothly between the fixed and movable cam profiles, reducing impact and wear while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If movable cam profiles are allowed to move freely between extracted and retracted positions, then the system is more flexible, but the transition of rollers between cam profiles becomes less smooth and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller transition smoothnessVSAvoidmovable cam profile movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device provides localized guidance only in the transition area where the roller moves between cam profiles. The movable cam profile retains full freedom of movement in its operational positions, while the guiding device constrains only the critical transition path, thus maintaining smooth roller transition without compromising system flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The movement of the movable cam profile is segmented into distinct phases: the transition phase (constrained by the guiding device) and the operational phase (free movement between extracted and retracted positions). This segmentation allows the system to have both smooth transitions and operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enhances the cyclical transition of rollers, minimizing wear and extending the lifespan of components, while maintaining a similar structural configuration to existing systems with minimal modifications.

Implementation Method 1

a cam system (11) for controlling the movement of the forming members (8) along the second direction (B), comprising: a pair of cam assemblies (12) arranged at opposite lateral sides of the tube (3), each cam assembly including a fixed cam profile (13) and a movable cam profile (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

Each cam assembly (12) includes a transition area (T) for the roller (15) defined partly by the fixed cam profile (13) and partly by the movable cam profile (14) and onto which transition area (T) the roller (15) is configured to cyclically pass for transiting from the fixed cam profile (13) to the movable cam profile (14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through guided motion: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4506270A1Forming unit for forming sealed packs containing a pourable product and method for forming sealed packs containing a pourable product

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

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AI summary

There is described a forming unit (6) for forming sealed packs (2) from a tube (3) of packaging material and comprising: a central axis (X) along which the tube (3) is fed; a pair of forming members (8) configured to cyclically engage successive longitudinal portions of the tube (3) for the forming thereof; a conveyor device for cyclically advancing the forming members (8) along a first direction (A) parallel to the central axis (X); a cam system (11) for cyclically driving a movement of the forming members (8) towards and away from the central axis (X) and along a second direction (B) transversal to the first direction (A); the cam system (11) comprises: a pair of cam assemblies (12) arranged at opposite lateral sides of the central axis (X) and each including a fixed cam profile (13) and a movable cam profile (14); the movable cam profile (14) is movably coupled to the fixed cam profile (13) and is movable towards and away from the central axis (X) between a retracted position and an extracted position with respect to the central axis (X); each cam assembly (12) comprises a guiding device (19) configured to constrain the movable cam profile (14) to move parallel to the second direction (B) between the retracted position and the extracted position.