Inspection Machine Turntable Dynamics for Liquid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection machines face challenges in accurately identifying foreign particles within liquids in containers due to turbulence generated by high-speed rotation and axis misalignment, which hinders inspection and increases maintenance and downtime.

Innovation Solution

An inspection machine with a turntable and dragging means that allows containers to rotate idly around a vertical axis, minimizing turbulence by supporting the container at both ends and using optical means for precise inspection, including video cameras, and adjustable dragging mechanisms to accommodate different container sizes and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the container is rotated at high speed for inspection, then the inspection speed increases, but turbulence is generated within the liquid which hinders or prevents correct inspection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection speedVSAvoidturbulence in liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the support plate movable between a first position (for high-speed rotation and quick inspection) and a second position (for stable, low-speed inspection). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between inspection speed and liquid stability based on the inspection stage, resolving the contradiction between productivity and turbulence prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the container neck has axis misalignment with the rest of the container, then the container can be easily positioned, but turbulence is induced or accentuated during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer positioningVSAvoidturbulence induction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is made movable to dynamically adjust the container's rotational characteristics. By transitioning between positions, the system can accommodate initial positioning tolerances while minimizing turbulence during the critical inspection phase, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of positioning and turbulence prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single support plate is used to hold the container, then the device structure is simple, but the container may be damaged by broken glass pieces and maintenance operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structureVSAvoidcontainer protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support system into multiple independent support plates instead of using a single support plate. This segmentation allows individual plates to be positioned at different locations, providing distributed support that protects against container damage while maintaining relatively simple device structure. The modular approach also facilitates easier maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the support plate is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different container sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport mechanismVSAvoidcontainer size accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic adjustment to accommodate different container sizes and shapes. This dynamic capability provides adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3140640B1Inspection machine and inspection method
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 GF SRL
  • EP3140640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3140640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inspection machine comprising: i) a plurality of operating stations (20) comprising: - a lower support (21) of a container to be inspected, said support (21) being able to rotate idly on itself about a rotation axis (210); - means 22) of dragging the container in rotation around said axis (210), said dragging means (22) being motive means and positioned above said support (21); ii) optical inspection means (3) of the container.