Machining Device Acceleration Unit for Reduced Container Impact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining devices for metal containers, such as aerosol and beverage containers, are limited by performance due to the need to absorb kinetic energy during rotating processes, leading to reduced production speed and increased loads on containers and machinery, with known solutions either requiring external energy or being complex and costly to retrofit.

Innovation Solution

A processing device with a movement unit and a processing unit that can move relative to each other, utilizing an acceleration unit to achieve reduced relative speed and controlled acceleration, allowing for mechanical decoupling of rotating devices from the machine's movement, thereby minimizing impact forces and enabling higher speeds without external energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine speed is increased to improve productivity, then production speed increases, but the impact forces and stresses on the container increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidimpact forces on container
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-accelerating the processing unit in the transverse direction before the main impact. This preparatory movement allows the processing unit to be positioned optimally relative to the container, enabling the main impact to occur at reduced relative speed while maintaining effective machining. The acceleration unit activates the processing unit beforehand, so that when the motion unit impacts the container, the relative velocity is minimized, reducing harmful impact forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the processing unit independently movable relative to the motion unit through an acceleration unit. Instead of a fixed rigid connection, the processing unit can dynamically adjust its position and velocity independently. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize the relative speed between the processing unit and container at the moment of impact, enabling high machine speeds while controlling impact forces through active velocity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the machine speed is increased to improve productivity, then production speed increases, but the time available for rotating processes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidtime for rotating process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by decoupling the rotating process timing from the main machine cycle through independent activation. The acceleration unit can independently control when the processing unit engages with the container, allowing the rotating process to occur during a controlled, extended period rather than being constrained by the overall machine cycle time. This dynamic timing control enables sufficient process duration even at high production speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by activating the processing unit in the transverse direction before the main impact occurs. This pre-positioning allows the rotating process to be initiated and sustained for the necessary duration before the actual machining impact, ensuring that the process has adequate time to complete even when the overall machine cycle is shortened for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If an external stop is used to activate the device, then higher cycle rates are enabled, but high stresses are generated in the stop and machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle rateVSAvoidimpact stress on stop
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the activation function into two independent parts: the motion unit that provides the main linear movement, and the acceleration unit that provides independent transverse acceleration of the processing unit. This segmentation eliminates the need for a separate external stop, as the processing unit is activated by the acceleration unit itself. The impact forces are thus distributed and controlled within the system rather than concentrated on an external stop, reducing stresses while maintaining high cycle rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by replacing the static external stop with an active acceleration unit that dynamically controls the processing unit's movement. Instead of relying on a fixed stop that absorbs all impact forces, the acceleration unit actively manages the velocity and position of the processing unit, enabling controlled engagement with the container. This dynamic approach reduces peak impact stresses while maintaining high cycle rates through optimized timing and velocity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If an air damper is used to reduce impact, then damping effect increases with speed, but the activation point becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact forceVSAvoidactivation point position
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using sensors to detect the actual position and velocity of the processing unit, and using this information to adjust the acceleration unit's operation in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that the processing unit reaches the correct activation point with precise velocity, regardless of variations in machine speed or environmental conditions. The feedback mechanism compensates for any deviations, maintaining manufacturing precision while still achieving impact force reduction through controlled velocity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by replacing the passive air damper with an active acceleration unit that dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions. Instead of relying on fixed damping characteristics that become unstable at varying speeds, the acceleration unit actively controls the processing unit's velocity and position, maintaining precise activation point positioning across the full range of operating speeds. This dynamic control ensures both impact reduction and positioning accuracy.

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

This solution allows for increased production speeds and reduced wear on machinery and containers by minimizing impact forces and utilizing existing machine components, enabling efficient and precise processing without external energy, and facilitating easier retrofitting of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

Typically, the centrifugal force of the rotating forming or other working elements is sufficient to press them against the outer control cam during the forward and return strokes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3412373B1Processing device and method with tools moving relative to each other
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 MALL HERLAN GMBH
  • EP3412373B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP3412373B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3412373B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2f

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of machining equipment and methods for machining with relatively moving tools. To present a solution in which a machining equipment and the corresponding method for machining with relatively moving tools are no longer limited in performance solely by the limits associated with the relative movement of the tools, a machining equipment (10, 50) for a workpiece (52) is proposed, comprising a motion unit (12, 54), a machining unit (14, 58), and a control element (18, 64). The motion unit (12, 54) is provided with an acceleration unit (20, 60), and the control element (18, 64) and the acceleration unit (20, 60) are configured such that a relative movement of the motion unit (12, 54) with respect to the control element (18, 64) mechanically initiates a movement of at least a part of the acceleration unit (20, 60).60) is connected with at least a portion transverse to the direction of movement of the motion unit (12, 54), and wherein the acceleration unit (20, 60) is designed such that the movement of at least the part of the acceleration unit (20, 60) mechanically results in a relative acceleration of the processing unit (14, 58) relative to the motion unit (12, 54) along the direction of movement of the motion unit (12, 54).