Movement Adjustment Apparatus for Independent Motion Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machinery for packaging and processing requires complex motor drive systems to manage specific motion rules for each element, leading to high production costs and limited reconfiguration capabilities, as well as reduced productivity due to the need for continuous operation of all elements following a common motion rule.

Innovation Solution

A movement assembly comprising a supporting frame with a driving element and a movement adjustment apparatus, including a contoured guide, levers, and linkages, allows for independent movement of elements according to predefined rules of motion without requiring individual controlled motor drive units, enabling variable acceleration and deceleration while maintaining constant speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If controlled motor drive units are used for each movable element, then each element can move independently according to specific rules of motion, but production costs increase considerably and complex control systems are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent movement controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the motion control function by separating the driving element (common motor) from the movable elements (packages), allowing independent motion control through mechanical linkages rather than individual motor drives for each element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the linkage system with guides and levers) between the single driving element and multiple movable elements, enabling independent motion control without requiring individual motor drives for each element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If controlled motor drive units are used for each movable element, then specific rules of motion can be complied with perfectly, but production costs increase due to purchase costs of individual units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion parameter complianceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single driving element serves multiple functions by controlling multiple movable elements through the shared linkage system, eliminating the need for separate motor drives for each element and reducing overall production costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If all elements follow a common rule of motion on a single conveyance element, then production costs are reduced, but productivity decreases due to continuous operation requirement and stopped elements affecting all

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidmachine speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the motion control so that while elements share a common driving element, their individual motion is independently controlled through linkages, allowing selective stopping and acceleration of specific elements without affecting others, thus maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If individually controlled motor drive units are used, then reconfiguration possibility is available, but in many cases the reconfiguration capability is not utilized fully and validly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidutilization of reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage system provides dynamic reconfiguration capability through movable joints and adjustable linkages that can be modified during operation, allowing the system to adapt to different motion requirements without requiring complete system replacement, thereby fully utilizing reconfiguration potential

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 reduces production costs, eliminates the need for complex control systems, and enhances productivity by allowing high-speed operation of machinery with specific and complex motion rules, while being simple to implement and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first lever (6), which has a first end (7) that can slide within the guide (5) and a portion (8) that is pivoted to at least one second lever (9), which in turn is rigidly coupled to the driving element (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The apparatus (4) is in turn constituted by a contoured guide (5), which is arranged substantially parallel to the driving element (2), by at least one first lever (6), which has a first end (7) that can slide within the guide (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

The at least one first lever (6) has a second end (10), which is opposite the one that can slide (end 7) in the guide (2), articulated to a linkage (11), which in turn is pivoted to a portion (12) of a respective movable element (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinkage mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP3490913B1Assembly for movement according to predefined rules of motion
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 ILAPAK ITAL
  • EP3490913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490913B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3490913B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An assembly (1) for movement according to predefined rules of motion, comprising a supporting frame forming a working path that accommodates a driving element (2) with which at least one movable element (3) is associated which is adapted to move an item to be subjected to a process; the assembly (1) comprises, interposed between the driving element (2) and each respective movable element (3), at least one movement adjustment apparatus (4) which comprises a contoured guide (5), which is arranged substantially parallel to the driving element (2), at least one first lever (6) that has a first end (7) that can slide within the guide (5), and a portion (8) that is pivoted to at least one second lever (9), which in turn is coupled rigidly to the driving elements (2); the first lever (6) has a second end (10), which is opposite the one that can slide in the guide (5), which is articulated to a linkage (11), which in turn is pivoted on a portion (12) of a respective movable element (3).