Motorized Throttle Unit With Position Feedback for Blow Moulding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual adjustment of throttles in blow moulding machines is time-consuming, prone to errors, and impossible during ongoing operation, making it difficult to maintain accurate settings for producing different types of hollow bodies.
Innovation Solution
A throttle unit with a position sensor and an electric motor drive that allows for automatic and precise adjustment of the throttle setting, enabling electronic control and integration into valve blocks, allowing for setting and regulation during operation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of throttles is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced and manufacturing precision deteriorates due to time-consuming adjustments and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated system comprising an electric motor, gear mechanism, and position sensor. The electric motor drives the throttle actuator through a gear mechanism, while the position sensor provides feedback for automated control, eliminating manual intervention and significantly improving adjustment speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle unit incorporates a self-regulating mechanism where the position sensor continuously monitors the actuator position and automatically adjusts the throttle opening to maintain the desired throughflow cross-section. This self-service capability allows the system to compensate for wear and aging without manual intervention, improving both productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment is performed, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates due to errors and inability to adjust during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the position sensor continuously monitors the actual position of the actuator and compares it with the desired position. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the electric motor output to achieve the target throughflow cross-section, ensuring high reliability and accuracy without requiring complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual adjustment operation is replaced by an automated electromechanical system that uses electric motors and position sensors to precisely control the throttle setting. This substitution eliminates human errors and enables adjustments to be made during ongoing operation, significantly improving reliability while the automated control interface maintains ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate throttles are used for each valve block, then the adaptability is improved for different hollow body types, but the device complexity increases and productivity decreases due to numerous manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the automated throttle unit with a standardized structure that can be used across multiple valve blocks and different hollow body types. The position sensor and electric motor assembly provides a universal solution that maintains adaptability for various throughflow requirements while eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment procedures for each throttle, significantly improving productivity.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual resetting is performed when components age, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated throttle unit with position sensor feedback provides self-service functionality that continuously maintains accurate throttle settings without requiring manual resetting even as components age. The system automatically compensates for wear and drift in the actuator position, ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained over time without incurring additional adjustment time or productivity loss.
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 efficient, accurate, and cost-effective automatic adjustment of throttle settings, reducing the defect rate and ensuring consistent container quality by automating the process, allowing for real-time adjustments based on process data.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit comprising an electric motor for changing a position of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
The position sensor directly monitors the position of the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A throttle unit, in particular of a blow moulding device, includes a throttle and a position sensor. The throttle has an actuator and a drive unit including an electric motor for changing a position of the actuator. A throughflow cross section in a throughflow channel of a fluid can be changed by changing the position of the actuator. The drive unit is arranged at a first end of the actuator. The position sensor monitors the position of the actuator directly. The throttle unit makes it possible to set and adjust the throttle automatically in an accurate but nevertheless cost-effective manner.