Linear Motor Container Carriages for Top and Base Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container conveying machines with linear motors cannot treat the top and base surfaces of containers like low jars due to the dimensions of the plates and jacks occupying these surfaces, limiting treatment options.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a linear motor conveyor system where carriages support and retain containers independently, allowing the top and/or base to be free for treatment, using rotating plates and synchronized carriages to orient containers before treatment units, and grippers that laterally retain containers for transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If upper and lower carriages with plates and jacks are used to support and retain containers, then containers can be securely conveyed along the path, but the top and base surfaces of low jars are occupied and cannot be treated
Solution Approach 1:
The container support system is divided into separate functional elements: side retaining elements (fingers) that hold the container laterally, and independent top/Base treatment access. This segmentation allows the top and base surfaces to be accessible for treatment while the container is securely retained during conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system transitions from a horizontal planar arrangement where plates and jacks occupy the top and base surfaces, to a vertical arrangement where retaining elements grip the container from the sides, freeing the top and base dimensions for treatment operations.
2Productivity
If plates and upper jacks are used to support containers, then containers can be conveyed through treatment stations, but the dimensions of these components occupy the top and base surfaces needed for treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into lateral retaining fingers rather than a continuous plate structure, creating gaps and reducing the occupied surface area on the top and base of containers, thereby enabling treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional plate and jack support structure is extracted and replaced with minimal lateral retaining fingers, removing the obstruction from the top and base surfaces while maintaining container retention functionality.
3Speed
If synchronized upper and lower carriages are used to transport containers, then containers can be moved along the path, but additional maneuvering space and flexibility for treatment units are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is arranged vertically with the guide extending in the vertical direction, allowing treatment units to be positioned horizontally alongside the conveyance path, thereby increasing available maneuvering space and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage system is segmented into independent lateral retaining elements that can operate with reduced spatial requirements compared to continuous plate structures, freeing up space for additional treatment units.
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 treatment of both top and base surfaces of containers, providing more maneuvering space and flexibility for additional treatment units, with independent control of carriage position, speed, and acceleration for efficient handling.
Implementation Method 1
a drive, preferably mounted on board the motor (but it could also be distanced) connected to the windings for driving the electrical current that flows therein so as to generate an electromagnetic field that moves linearly
Implementation Method 2
the rotor comprises permanent magnets mounted on one or more carriages for moving them along the feed direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine (1) for treating or conveying containers (2), comprising a guide (18) extending along a feed direction (5) for feeding the containers (2) and a plurality of carriages (19) for supporting the containers (2) slidably mounted on a same guide (18) consecutively to each other; said guide (18) and each carriage (19) together defining respective linear motors. Each support carriage (19) comprises at least a part of respective gripping means (21) and, in particular, two gripping means (21a, 21b) respectively mounted on different and consecutive carriages (19) along the same guide (18). The carriages (19) are movable towards or away from each other so as to regulate the reciprocal distance along the feed direction (5) for feeding the containers (2) and define a picking area of the gripping means (21) between them as a function of the type of container (2) to be picked or released.