Hollow Shaft Spring Gripping Device for Beverage Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage container gripping devices require complex and expensive pneumatic line connections, which are prone to damage due to external obstructions during operation.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device utilizing compressed air or over/underpressure with a suspension and spring mechanism, where the springs are designed as hollow shafts or helical springs, allowing for internal fluidic line connections and reducing external pneumatic line connections, thus minimizing damage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external pneumatic line connections are used for gripping means, then the gripping device can be operated with compressed air, but the device is prone to damage from external obstructions and requires complex connections
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic line connections are nested inside the hollow shaft of the spring element. The spring serves as a protective enclosure for the pneumatic lines, allowing them to be transmitted through the moving gripping means while protected from external obstructions. This eliminates the need for external pneumatic line connections and their associated seals and fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shaft of the spring acts as an intermediary structure that carries both the mechanical function of the spring and the fluidic function of the pneumatic line. This dual-function design integrates the pneumatic connection pathway within the spring structure itself, avoiding separate external connections.
2Productivity
If multiple gripping means are used to handle multiple beverage containers, then productivity increases, but the number of external pneumatic line connections increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
Each spring element serves multiple functions: it provides the gripping force through its elastic deformation, acts as a guide for the gripping means, and simultaneously serves as the pneumatic line connection. This multi-functionality means that adding more gripping means does not proportionally increase the complexity of pneumatic connections, as each spring independently houses its own pneumatic pathway.
3Ease of manufacture
If external pneumatic line connections are used, then compressed air can be supplied to gripping means, but sealing and fixation require great effort and are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and pneumatic line connection are merged into a single integrated component. The hollow shaft of the spring is formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and fixation mechanisms that would be required for external connections. This significantly reduces manufacturing effort and cost.
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective handling of beverage containers with reduced risk of device damage from external obstructions, using a compact and clear structure that can operate with both positive and negative pressure.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element (7) is designed as a hollow shaft or hollow tube, via which hollow shaft or hollow tube the at least one gripping means (8) for receiving the beverage container can be acted upon with compressed air (vacuum or overpressure)
Implementation Method 2
at least one spring, via which the at least one gripping means (8) for receiving the beverage container is connected to the suspension (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A gripping device (1) for beverage containers is disclosed. The gripping device (1) comprises a suspension (3) and at least one gripping element (8) which can receive a beverage container by means of compressed air. The gripping device (1) further comprises at least one spring (7) via which the at least one gripping element (8) is connected to the suspension (3). It is provided that the at least one spring (7) is designed at least partially as a hollow shaft (7"), via which hollow shaft (7") the at least one gripping element (8) can be pressurized with compressed air to receive the beverage container.