Grip Width Adjusting Mechanism for Packaging Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grip width adjusting mechanisms in packaging machines require complex and time-consuming initial settings for each grip unit, leading to variations in grip width during successive packaging steps, and necessitate individual motor control, resulting in increased electrical load and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A grip width adjusting mechanism with a base on a guide rail, rotationally movable arms, and a spring-biased link system, utilizing grip width adjusting plates and a lever with a roller to uniformly adjust grip width across multiple units by varying the rotational angle based on step-specific settings, reducing adjustment time and simplifying the control process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual adjusting devices are provided for each grip unit, then the grip width can be adjusted for each unit, but the device complexity and initial setting time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual adjusting devices into a single shared adjusting device that simultaneously controls the grip width of multiple grip units. The adjusting lever is commonly shared among multiple grip units, and the link mechanism transmits the adjustment motion to multiple arms, thereby reducing the number of adjusting devices from multiple individual units to a single centralized unit while maintaining uniform grip width adjustment across all grip units.
2Extent of automation
If multiple motors are installed for continuous automatic adjustment, then the grip width can be changed automatically, but the electrical load and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-biased mechanical link mechanism that automatically transmits the adjustment motion from a single lever to multiple arms without requiring additional motors or active control systems. The spring provides the necessary biasing force to maintain the link in the correct position, enabling automatic grip width adjustment through pure mechanical means, thereby eliminating the need for multiple motors and reducing electrical power consumption.
3Extent of automation
If individual motors are provided for each adjusting device, then continuous automatic adjustment is possible, but the wiring and synchronous control become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical link as an intermediary that physically connects the adjusting lever to multiple arms, transmitting the adjustment motion through a shared mechanical pathway. This mechanical intermediary eliminates the need for complex electrical wiring and synchronous control systems, as the motion transmission is achieved through direct mechanical coupling rather than independent motor control for each grip unit.
4Manufacturing precision
If initial setting is executed for every grip unit individually, then each unit can be precisely adjusted, but the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the initial setting operation into a single action that simultaneously adjusts all grip units. By using a commonly shared adjusting lever connected to multiple arms through a link mechanism, the operator can set the grip width for all grip units in one operation rather than individually adjusting each unit, thereby maintaining precision while significantly reducing the time required for initial setup.
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
The mechanism reduces grip width adjustment time, ensures uniform grip widths across all units, and simplifies the control configuration by allowing synchronized adjustment of multiple grip units, thereby improving efficiency and reducing electrical load.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biasing the arms in respective directions opposite each other
Implementation Method 2
a grip width adjusting roller abutting against each grip width adjusting plate by a biasing force of the spring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a grip width adjusting mechanism incorporated in a packaging machine having a grip unit. The grip width adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of grip width adjusting plates disposed at the steps and set with distances between the guide rail and the grip width adjusting plates according to the work content of the steps, respectively and a grip width adjusting lever having a distal end having a grip width adjusting roller abutting against each grip width adjusting plate by a biasing force of the spring, respectively. The grip width adjusting lever is located on either one of the arms so as to be rotated with the arm. A rotational movement angle of the grip width adjusting lever is set according to the distance between the guide rail and the grip width adjusting plate, with the result that the grip width is adjusted.