Lid Destacking Groove and Support Layout for Fast Format Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can seamer systems face challenges in efficiently and quickly adapting to different lid sizes and formats, leading to lengthy tool change times and complex format adjustments, which disrupt the separation and feeding process.
Innovation Solution
A stacking device with a separate support element and groove system allows for quick format adjustments by changing the distance between the support surface and the separating element, enabling the stacking device to adapt to various lid sizes without replacing the entire device, and a feed device with a lid guide that ensures parallel movement to prevent lid misalignment and facilitate easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire stacking device is replaced to adapt to different lid formats, then the adaptability to various lid sizes is improved, but the tool change time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking device is divided into separate functional elements: a stationary stacking element with groove and a movable support element. This segmentation allows the support element to be adjusted or replaced independently to adapt to different lid formats without replacing the entire stacking device, thereby reducing tool change time while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to be movable relative to the stacking element, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between the support surface and the separating element. This dynamic configuration enables quick adaptation to different lid sizes and formats without requiring complete device replacement, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and tool change time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the support surface and the separating element is adjusted for different lid sizes, then the adaptability to various lid formats is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a stationary stacking element and a movable support element. This segmentation allows the complex adjustment function to be isolated to the support element only, keeping the overall device structure simple while enabling adaptability to various lid sizes through localized adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking element with groove is designed as a universal component that can work with different lid formats. The movable support element provides the necessary adjustment capability, allowing the same stacking element to serve multiple lid sizes and formats without requiring multiple specialized components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If a lid guide is added to ensure parallel movement of lids, then the lid separation and feeding efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lid guide is designed as a separate, modular component that can be easily attached and detached. This segmentation allows the lid guide to be added only when needed for parallel movement, improving lid separation efficiency without permanently increasing the base device complexity. The modular design also facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance.
4Device complexity
If the stacking device is designed with fixed configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different lid formats deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with movable capability relative to the stacking element, introducing dynamic adjustment capability into an otherwise simple fixed structure. This minimal dynamic element allows the device to adapt to different lid formats while keeping the overall device complexity low, as only one component needs to be movable rather than the entire system.
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 tool change times, enhances the adaptability of the system to different lid formats, and improves the efficiency of lid separation and feeding processes, ensuring timely lid delivery for can closure operations while maintaining hygiene and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the stacking screw 10 is driven by a drive 40, which is designed as a servo drive. The stacking screw 10 separates and isolates the lids 101 from the stack 111 using a spiral groove 11.
Implementation Method 2
The lids 101 to be conveyed are fed into the lid feeder 41, which is located directly above the destacking screw 10. The lids 101 are conveyed downwards by gravity toward the destacking screw 10.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a destacking device (1) for separating lids (101) from a stack of lids (111), comprising a destacking element (10A), a support element (10B) for supporting the stack of lids (111), and a groove (11) for receiving and removing a separated lid (101). The groove (11) is arranged on the destacking element (10A) and the support element (10B). Furthermore, the destacking device (1) includes a singulation element (51) which is arranged at a first end of the groove (11) such that the lid (101) can be separated from the stack of lids (111) and received through the groove (11). The support element (10B) is a separate element from the stacking element (10A) and is arranged on the stacking element (10A) such that a support surface (50) of the support element (10B) is arranged to the singulation element (51) in such a way that the lid stack (111) can be supported on the support surface (50) and the lid (101) can be separated from the lid stack (111).