Linear Height Adjustment for Bottle Gripper Transport Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for containers require complex and time-consuming installations, maintenance, and adjustments due to rigidly fixed gripping and control devices, leading to increased downtimes and financial losses.

Innovation Solution

A height adjustment device with a linear drive and drive element for precise height adjustment, combined with a control device featuring a mounting section and clamping devices for easy installation and maintenance, allowing flexible adaptation to container sizes and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gripping device and control device are rigidly fixed at specific heights on the transport system, then the structural stability and reliability are improved, but the adaptability to different container sizes and shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to container sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is made height-adjustable via a linear drive mechanism, allowing the gripping device to be dynamically repositioned along the height axis. This replaces the static rigid fixation with a dynamic adjustable system, enabling adaptation to different container sizes while maintaining structural stability through controlled positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the transport device is designed with rigidly fixed gripping devices at specific heights, then the manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but the ease of adjustment and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight precisionVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated linear drive system that uses motorized actuation to adjust the support plate height. This substitution provides precise height control through automated means while simplifying operation and maintenance compared to manual adjustment of rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the control device is rigidly attached to the transport system, then the reliability of continuous actuation at predetermined locations is improved, but the ease of installation and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation reliabilityVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is segmented into a detachable mounting section that can be independently removed and reattached. This segmentation allows the control device to be separated from the main transport system for easier maintenance and repair while maintaining reliable actuation when properly mounted, as the mounting section provides secure attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the transport device uses complex rigid assemblies for control and gripping devices, then the structural stability is improved, but the installation time and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate with gripping devices is designed as a dynamically adjustable module rather than a fixed rigid assembly. This modular dynamic design allows for quicker installation and reconfiguration compared to complex rigid assemblies, reducing installation time and downtime while maintaining structural stability through the linear drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables quick and efficient height adjustment with minimal maintenance, simplifying installation and maintenance processes, reducing downtimes, and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the linear drive (12) has a spindle (16) for a ball screw drive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4640598A1Height adjustment device, drive device, and transport device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 TYROLON GMBH
  • EP4640598A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4640598A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4640598A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Transport device (60) with a control device (40) for controlling actuating elements (64) of a gripping device of the transport device (60) for transporting bottle-like containers and with a height adjustment device (10) for adjusting the height of the transport device (60) for gripping, holding, guiding and transporting, in particular, bottle-like containers, wherein the height adjustment device comprises the following: a linear drive (12), wherein the linear drive (12) is designed to adjust the transport device (60) in a linear movement along a height axis of the transport device (60), and wherein the linear drive (12) is designed to be passable through and connectable to a carrier plate (66) of the transport device (60), and a drive element (14), wherein the drive element (14) is operatively connected to the linear drive (12).