Magnetic Container Feeding With Continuous Gravity Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stationary loading process of containers during transport slows down the overall process, leading to inefficiencies in container handling and transport speed.
Innovation Solution
A device and system utilizing a linear magnetic transport system with a track and movers, combined with a feed wheel and inspection system, allowing for continuous and fast transport of containers by magnetic interaction, enabling independent control of movers and synchronized feeding, and incorporating optical sensors for quality inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mover is made stationary during the loading process to ensure accurate and safe loading, then the loading accuracy and safety are improved, but the transport speed of containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-positioned in the feed wheel at the correct orientation and location before the mover arrives. When the mover passes underneath, the container is already ready to be transferred by gravity, eliminating the need for the mover to stop and perform positioning operations during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed wheel acts as an intermediary device that holds and orients containers before transfer. Instead of the mover directly picking up containers (which would require stopping), the feed wheel prepares containers and allows gravity to do the transfer work, enabling continuous mover operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the holder of the mover is moved underneath the feed wheel with respect to the direction of gravity, then the transfer of container can be realized with simple means, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed wheel and holder are positioned at the same gravitational level, allowing containers to transfer via gravity without requiring additional lifting mechanisms. The holder moves underneath the feed wheel so that containers can drop directly into it, utilizing the gravitational field rather than opposing it.
3Productivity
If the transport system is designed to allow continuous transfer of containers from feed wheel to mover holder, then the throughput is increased, but the synchronization control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect the position of the holder and the presence of containers in the feed wheel. This feedback information is used to control the timing of holder passage and feed wheel rotation, ensuring synchronized operation without requiring complex predictive control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed wheel is designed to automatically present containers to the holder as it passes underneath. The gravitational transfer mechanism self-regulates to some extent, with containers naturally dropping into the holder when positioned correctly, reducing the need for active control during the transfer moment.
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 continuous and fast transport of containers with increased throughput, allowing for real-time inspection and sorting of good and bad containers, thereby enhancing flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The mover is designed to move along the track by magnetic interactions. For this the mover can have at least one (permanent) magnet and the track at least one (electric) magnet that interact with each other.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for continuous feeding of containers (12) with features according to claim 1, a system for continuous feeding of containers (12) with features according to claim 10 and a method for continuous feeding of containers (12) with features according to claim 12.