Label Magazine Clamping Mechanism for Ergonomic Side Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label magazines in cold glue units require manual vertical lifting and lowering, which is laborious and ergonomically unfavorable, especially when multiple magazines are stacked, due to limited space and the risk of stud bolts jamming if not moved vertically.
Innovation Solution
The label magazine is equipped with clamping elements featuring through openings and clamping levers with eccentrics, allowing for engagement and disengagement with stud bolts through a pivoting or rectilinear movement, enabling side insertion and removal without the need for vertical lifting, and maintaining a fixed relative position during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If label magazines are placed vertically on stud bolts and fully received by fastening elements, then the label magazine can be securely fastened, but the operator must perform laborious vertical lifting and lowering movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the engagement direction from vertical to horizontal by providing clamping elements that can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud bolts. The clamps with through openings allow the label magazine to be engaged by moving it horizontally toward the stud bolts, eliminating the need for vertical lifting while maintaining secure fastening through the clamping mechanism.
2Quantity of substance
If stud bolts are made long to accommodate multiple stacked label magazines, then multiple magazines can be arranged vertically, but the vertical lifting path becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple label magazines to be arranged in space without requiring excessive vertical stacking by allowing horizontal engagement. The clamps with through openings permit side insertion, so magazines can be positioned at different heights without requiring long vertical lifting paths, as the engagement occurs horizontally at each magazine's respective level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the fastening function into multiple independent clamping elements, each capable of engaging with stud bolts independently. This segmentation allows different label magazines to be engaged separately at different positions, eliminating the need for a single long vertical engagement path that would be required if all magazines were stacked and engaged together.
3Reliability
If the label magazine is moved vertically for removal, then secure engagement is maintained, but stud bolts may jam in the fastening elements if the magazine is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the removal movement from vertical to horizontal by allowing clamping elements to be moved in a plane perpendicular to the stud bolt axis. This horizontal movement direction prevents tilting during engagement and disengagement, eliminating the risk of stud bolts jamming in the fastening elements while maintaining secure engagement through the clamping action.
4Ease of operation
If clamps with through openings are used to enable horizontal engagement, then vertical lifting is eliminated, but the clamping mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable clamping elements that can move between engaged and disengaged states. The clamps with through openings are designed to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the stud bolt axis, allowing simple horizontal insertion and removal. The eccentric mechanism provides automatic clamping force when engaged, reducing the need for complex locking systems while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 solution reduces the ergonomic strain on operators by allowing side access and removal of label magazines, preventing stud bolt jamming, and accommodating multiple magazines without the need for excessive vertical lifting, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two clamping elements each comprise a clamping piece and a clamping lever, the clamping lever further comprising an eccentric which is designed to, when the clamping lever is locked, i.e. in the locking position, to press on the clamping piece
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a label magazine (1) for a labeling unit (2) and a labeling machine, wherein the label magazine is equipped with at least two clamping elements (6), each clamping element comprises a clamp collar (9) with a passage opening (10) over an entire height of the clamp collar (9), wherein the clamping collar (9) is configured to penetrate through the passage opening of the clamping collar so as to be installed and embedded into a stud by using the stud (3) of the labeling unit and through movements of the label magazine in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stud, or moving the stud by the passage hole of the clamping collar so as to cancel the embedded connection with the stud. Further, the invention also relates to a labeling machine with at least one labeling unit and at least one above label magazine. The label magazine can be laterally installed into or taken out of the labeling unit, thereby avoiding un-ergonomic promotion of the label magazine.