Gripping Device for 3D Container Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor belt systems for transporting containers, such as vials or bottles, are limited to horizontal movement and require backpressure to maintain upright position, leading to potential damage from contact and limited vertical movement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device comprising a support element and a flexible element that can grab and hold containers individually, allowing for horizontal and vertical movement without the need for guides or backpressure, and adaptable to various container sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If containers are transported on a flat conveyor belt in a horizontal direction, then the conveyor can maintain simple structure and operation, but the containers require backpressure to stay upright causing contact and damage between containers
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into multiple gripping devices, each handling a single container individually. This segmentation eliminates the need for backpressure and side guides, allowing containers to be transported upright without contacting each other, thus preventing damage while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible gripping element acts as an intermediary between the support structure and the container. This flexible element gently holds the container without requiring rigid constraints or backpressure, eliminating contact damage while maintaining simple overall device structure.
2Device complexity
If flat conveyor belts are used to transport containers, then the system can operate with simple structure, but height changes in the vertical direction are limited requiring high technical effort even for small changes
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device incorporates a flexible element that can dynamically adapt to vertical height changes. This flexibility allows the system to handle containers at varying heights and navigate vertical transitions without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, thereby increasing adaptability while keeping the device structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible gripping element can change its physical parameters (shape, position) to accommodate vertical movements. This allows the conveyor to handle height variations in containers without requiring high technical effort or complex structural modifications.
3Reliability
If a rigid support structure is used to hold containers firmly, then the containers can be securely transported, but fragile containers may be damaged due to excessive holding force
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping element's physical parameters (flexibility, contact pressure) are optimized to provide gentle yet secure holding. The flexible material allows the gripping force to adapt to the container's fragility, maintaining reliable transport security while preventing damage to fragile containers through controlled force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device uses composite construction combining a rigid support structure with a flexible gripping element. This composite approach provides the structural reliability needed for secure transport while the flexible element ensures gentle contact that prevents damage to fragile containers.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a feeding device or feeding at least one container, in particular for transporting containers to a conveyor device that includes a first transport element configured to transport the containers along a first path from a first infeed position to a first out-feed position, and a first guiding structure configured to guide the containers along the first path from the first infeed position to the first outfeed position, while the containers are transported by the first transport element, wherein the first guiding structure comprises a ramp with an inclination so that during transport along the first path at least two spatial coordinates of the containers change between the first in-feed position and the first outfeed position.