Loose-Article Rotation With Toothed Guide Rods During Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines require complex and expensive designs to rotate individual articles within a loose article group, necessitating separate control of grippers or guide elements and often requiring interruptions in the production chain, which increases costs and reduces output.
Innovation Solution
A device that simultaneously rotates at least two articles of a loose article group during conveying by intermittently contacting them with guide rods, converting translatory motion into rotary motion using toothed pulleys and gears, allowing continuous rotation without separate control of elements and without stopping the conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate grippers or guide elements are used to rotate individual articles, then articles can be rotated individually, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple guide elements into a single rotating guide assembly that can simultaneously rotate multiple articles. Instead of using separate grippers for each article, one rotating guide structure performs the rotation function for all articles in the group, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining individual article rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating guide assembly serves multiple functions: it guides articles during conveying, rotates individual articles to different orientations, and can be adjusted to accommodate different article configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated rotation mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If separately controlled grippers are used for article rotation, then individual article orientation is achieved, but production interruptions occur due to conveyor stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are positioned and configured in advance during the conveying process to automatically guide articles into the desired orientation as they move along the conveyor. The rotation action is performed continuously during conveying rather than requiring the conveyor to stop, maintaining production continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating guide assembly operates continuously during the article conveying process, enabling orientation changes without interrupting the production flow. Articles are rotated in their natural conveying sequence without requiring conveyor stopping or batch processing
3Manufacturing precision
If complex separately controlled elements are used for rotation, then precise article orientation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is divided into multiple adjustable guide elements that can be independently positioned to achieve precise article orientation. Each guide element can be adjusted to specific angles and positions, allowing precise control of article orientation while using simpler, more economical components than a fully controlled multi-gripper system
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements incorporate adjustable parameters such as angle, position, and spacing that can be modified to accommodate different article types and orientation requirements. This adjustability provides precise orientation control without requiring custom-designed complex mechanisms for each application
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 simple, efficient, and continuous rotation of articles relative to each other, improving packaging preparation and visual appearance, while adapting to conveying speed without manual adjustments, thus reducing production costs and enhancing output.
Implementation Method 1
converting translatory motion into rotary motion using toothed pulleys and gears
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for rotating articles (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of a loose article group (12) including at least two articles (12A, 12B; 12C, 12D) during a conveying movement on a conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, a conveyor table, or the like, wherein the device (1) has a rotating device (4), which is embodied to at least intermittently contact the articles (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of the loose article group (12) during the conveying movement of the article group (12) and during the contact, to simultaneously rotate each article (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of the at least two articles (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of the loose article group (12) respectively around a corresponding first rotation axis extending orthogonal to the conveying direction between a respective first orientation and a respective second orientation relative to another article (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of the at least two articles (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of the loose article group (12).