Iris Support Plate for Precise Multi-Format Container Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support plate devices for bottling machines are limited to a single container format, requiring significant downtime and resources for format changes, reducing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A support plate device with an iris-shaped diaphragm featuring adjustable movable blades that allow for varying the size of the central opening to accommodate different container sizes without replacing components, facilitated by a rotational-translation motion mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed centering ring with a specific diameter is used, then the container positioning precision is improved, but the adaptability to different container formats is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The centering ring is transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The ring can be rotated around its own axis and scaled in size through the action of movable blades that slide along radial guides, allowing the same component to adapt to different container diameters while maintaining precise positioning through the centering mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The diameter parameter of the centering ring is made variable rather than fixed. By changing the radial position of movable blades along guide slots, the effective diameter of the centering ring can be adjusted to match different container formats, enabling a single device to handle multiple container sizes with high positioning precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed centering rings for different container formats are provided, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and time for format changes are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A single centering ring structure is designed to perform multiple functions by adjusting its diameter. Instead of requiring separate fixed centering rings for different container formats, one adjustable centering ring can accommodate various formats by changing the position of movable blades, thereby reducing component variety and simplifying the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering ring incorporates movable blades that can be dynamically repositioned along radial guides to change the ring's effective diameter. This dynamic adjustment mechanism eliminates the need for multiple static centering ring components, reducing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different container formats.
3Ease of operation
If replaceable centering rings with quick-release fixing means are used, then the ease of operation for format changes is improved, but the loss of time during format change operations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The centering ring uses a dynamic adjustable mechanism with movable blades that can be quickly repositioned along radial guides rather than requiring complete replacement. This allows operators to change container formats by simply adjusting the blade positions, eliminating the time-consuming process of removing and replacing entire centering ring components while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blades are pre-positioned along radial guides at multiple potential locations corresponding to different container formats. When a format change is needed, the blades can be quickly moved to the appropriate pre-planned position, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurement and adjustment procedures while enabling rapid format changes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Support plate device (1) adapted to be mechanically fixed to an operating machine (100) to support containers, which is provided with a support surface (11) adapted to receive the bottom of said containers and an iris-shaped diaphragm (2), which comprises a plurality of movable blades (3) provided with a sliding edge (31) and a centering edge (32) defining, together with the centering edges (32) of the other said movable blades (3), an internal centering surface (21) which delimits a central opening (22). The internal centering surface (21) defines, together with the support surface (11), a centering seat (23) within which the lower end of the container is susceptible of being placed. Each movable blade (3) is actuatable to be moved with its own sliding edge (31) slidably associated with the centering edge (32) of the contiguous movable blade (3) in order to adjust the dimensions of said central opening (22) in order to house, in the centering seat (23), containers with size different from each other.