Lid Pick and Place System With Rotating Suction Cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid application systems face challenges in quickly and easily applying lids to cups of varying sizes and shapes, particularly in aligning and grasping individual lids for efficient container formation.
Innovation Solution
A lid pick and place system comprising a primary magazine assembly with guide rods and a pick and place assembly that includes a connecting rod with suction cups, enabling linear and rotational movement to accurately position and apply lids onto cups, utilizing a removable magazine assembly for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional lid application methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the speed and efficiency of lid application is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic elements including a rotatable connecting rod that can rotate between 0-90 degrees, linear movement assemblies with cam mechanisms, and rotative movement assemblies with followers. These dynamic components enable the system to adapt to different cup positions and orientations, significantly improving lid application speed while maintaining manageable structural complexity through controlled motion rather than complex static arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs suction cups mounted on the connecting rod to grasp and hold lids during the application process. This pneumatic gripping mechanism enables rapid lid pickup and placement operations, increasing productivity without requiring complex mechanical clamping or adhesive application systems
2Manufacturing precision
If manual lid alignment methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of lid placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual alignment operations with an automated mechanical system featuring a cam plate with cam surface, follower, and rotative movement assembly. The cam mechanism automatically guides the connecting rod through precise rotational and linear movements, ensuring accurate lid alignment with cup rims without requiring manual intervention or complex vision systems
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rod with lower offset flange automatically guides the lid into proper alignment as it is being grasped by the suction cup. The geometry of the guide rod and flange creates self-aligning features that ensure precise lid positioning without additional alignment mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision
3Ease of operation
If individual lid grasping is attempted without specialized mechanisms, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in retaining lids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses suction cups mounted on the connecting rod to automatically grasp and retain individual lids. This pneumatic gripping system provides reliable lid retention during transfer operations, significantly improving ease of operation compared to manual grasping, while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of standard pneumatic components rather than complex mechanical grippers
4Productivity
If continuous lid supply is required, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases due to magazine assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a magazine assembly that pre-stores multiple lids in ready-to-use positions before the filling operation begins. This preliminary preparation of lid supply enables continuous operation without interruption for manual lid replenishment, significantly improving productivity. The magazine design, while adding some complexity, uses simple gravitational feed mechanisms and guide rods to maintain manageable structural requirements
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 system efficiently and accurately applies lids to cups of different sizes and shapes, enhancing speed, ease of use, and maintenance by ensuring proper alignment and retention, facilitating continuous operation with a removable magazine assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The pick and place assembly includes a connecting rod, a linear movement assembly and a rotative movement assembly. The connecting rod has at least one suction cup mounted thereto and positionable so as to underlie the lower surface of the base plate within the path of the elongated lid chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid pick and place system having a primary magazine assembly and a pick and place assembly. The primary magazine assembly includes a base plate and at least one guide rod extending therefrom to define an elongated lid chamber with at least one lid bore. Rotation of the at least one guide rod within the at least one guide rod bore directs at least a portion of a lower offset flange beyond a lid bore perimeter and into a path of the elongated lid chamber. The pick and place assembly includes a connecting rod with a suction cup. A linear movement assembly is structurally configured to move the connecting rod linearly closer and further from the lower surface of the base plate. A rotative movement assembly structurally configured to rotate the connecting rod relative to the lower surface of the base plate.