Heating Device Conveyor Chain for Preform Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow molding machines face inefficiencies in heating preforms due to energy losses through radiation gaps between preforms on transport mandrels, leading to increased energy requirements and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a rotating conveyor chain that allows for single-row and multi-row transport of preforms, featuring pivotally connected chain links with booms and handling means, enabling efficient temperature conditioning and energy use by optimizing space and reducing radiation losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If preforms are transported on rotating transport mandrels through the heating device, then the preforms can be heated and transported continuously, but energy losses occur through radiation gaps between preforms leading to increased energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-row transport to multi-row transport arrangement, utilizing additional spatial dimensions to position multiple preforms side-by-side on the conveyor chain. This dimensional change allows better utilization of heating space and reduces radiation gaps between preforms, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple preform transport functions into a single conveyor chain system with multi-row capability. By merging the transport functions and arranging preforms in multiple rows with reduced spacing, the system minimizes radiation gaps and energy losses while maintaining continuous operation
2Device complexity
If preforms are arranged in single-row transport, then the heating device structure is simpler, but the throughput and space utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multi-row transport capability that utilizes the lateral dimension of the heating device. By arranging preforms in multiple rows side-by-side on the conveyor chain, the system increases throughput capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the basic conveyor structure remains similar
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor chain is designed with universal functionality to handle both single-row and multi-row transport configurations. The same basic conveyor structure can operate in different modes, providing flexibility and increased throughput without requiring completely separate systems for each configuration
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 design enhances energy efficiency and throughput by allowing flexible temperature profiling and reduced energy losses, improving the heating process for thermoplastic preforms in blow molding machines.
Implementation Method 1
heating device for the thermal conditioning of preforms made of a thermoplastic material to a temperature profile suitable for blow forming
Implementation Method 2
whose heating radiation is emitted in a near infrared range... The preforms are heated primarily through radiation absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heating device (H) with at least one heating section (24) for thermally conditioning preforms (1) made of thermoplastic material to a temperature profile suitable for blow molding, wherein the heating device (H) has a transport device for transporting the preforms (1) along a transport path (T) of the heating device (H), which comprises a circulating conveyor chain (F) with several chain links (33) connected to each other by pivots, and wherein the transport device has handling means (39) for holding and handling each individual preform (1), wherein the transport device is designed and configured such that the preforms (1) are guided in a single row in at least a first section of the transport path (T) and are guided in two adjacent rows in at least a second section of the transport path (T).and wherein each chain link (33) has a boom (41) on which a first handling means (39) and a second handling means (39') are arranged, and wherein the boom (41) has a main arm (42) and a pivoting arm (43) pivotably connected to the main arm (42), and wherein a change between single-row transport of the preforms (1) and double-row transport is made possible by pivoting the pivoting arm (43).