Mechanical Pusher Ejection for Conveyor Sorting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sorting and supplying closure elements, such as plugging elements and preforms, face issues with energy consumption, noise, pollution, and jamming problems, particularly in high-rate environments, due to pneumatic ejection systems and fixed oblique strips.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical ejection method using a pusher that moves transversely across the conveyor belt to push elements towards the exit zone, avoiding interference with transverse stops and allowing for efficient orientation and positioning of elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pneumatic ejection is used to eject sealing elements from the conveyor belt, then ejection efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and contamination risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic ejection system with a mechanical pusher system. The pusher consists of a pusher element that mechanically contacts the sealing elements on the conveyor belt and pushes them off at the discharge zone, eliminating the need for compressed air while maintaining ejection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the use of pneumatic systems entirely by switching to a purely mechanical pusher mechanism, thereby removing the associated energy consumption and contamination risks while achieving the same ejection function.
2Ease of operation
If fixed oblique strips are used to create wedge effect for evacuating blockages, then element movement is achieved, but serious jamming problems occur at high production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static fixed oblique strip with a dynamic pusher system that moves synchronously with the conveyor belt. The pusher element is positioned and moved in coordination with the conveyor's motion, allowing it to effectively push elements without causing jamming even at high production rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher system is positioned in advance at the discharge zone to prepare for element ejection. By anticipating the arrival of elements at the discharge point, the pusher is already in position to immediately push them off, preventing jamming before it can occur.
3Ease of operation
If discharge zone opening is made very long to accommodate fixed oblique strip mechanism, then element evacuation is possible, but jamming in this area becomes likely at high production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher system dynamically adapts to the conveyor belt's motion and element flow rate. The pusher element's position and movement are synchronized with the conveyor, allowing effective element evacuation through a compact discharge zone opening without the need for an excessively long opening that would create jamming risks.
4Ease of operation
If pneumatic flow ejection is used, then sealing elements are ejected from conveyor belt, but contamination of sealing elements by dust and particles occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic ejection system with a mechanical pusher system that physically contacts and pushes sealing elements off the conveyor belt. This mechanical approach eliminates the use of air flow, thereby preventing dust and particle contamination of the sealing elements during the ejection process.
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 enables safe, rapid, and energy-efficient ejection of elements, reducing jamming and pollution while maintaining high hygiene standards, even in high-rate environments.
Implementation Method 1
a pusher (7) capable of moving at least transversely to the conveying direction (4) to push the elements (2) towards the exit zone (8)
Implementation Method 2
the misoriented clogging elements are ejected, preferably simply by making them fall back from the conveyor belt towards the hopper by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
The invention relates to a sorting device (1) for elements (2) of the cap or stopper type, used to close a bottle or vial, or of the plastic preform type, said device comprising a continuous conveyor means (3) arranged to travel in a conveying direction (4) and equipped with successive transverse stop members (5) between which the elements (2) can rest in transverse alignment. The sorting device (1) is characterised in that it comprises an ejector means (6) for ejecting the elements (2) from the conveyor means (3) by moving the elements essentially along the length of the transverse stop members (5), said ejector means comprising at least one push member (7) which can move at least transversely to the conveying direction (4) so as to push the elements (2) towards the exit zone (8). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.