Outer Packaging Machine Variable Spacing Conveyor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outer-packaging machines with robotized manipulators have fixed constant spacing, making it difficult to adapt to varying formats and formats variations, leading to inefficiencies and quality issues in packaging operations.
Innovation Solution
A process and machine with variable spacing capabilities, allowing for dynamic synchronization and adjustment of pallets and blanks to accommodate different formats, using pusher pins and conveyor systems to ensure precise alignment and spacing of articles and blanks for efficient packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed constant spacing is used in outer-packaging machines with robotized manipulators, then the machine structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to varying formats and leads to inefficiencies in packaging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable spacing between pusher pins on the conveyor system, allowing the distance between pins to be dynamically adjusted based on the format of articles being packaged. This enables the machine to adapt to different packaging formats without requiring complete structural redesign, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spacing parameter of pusher pins on the conveyor from fixed to variable. By allowing the spacing between consecutive pusher pins to be modified according to the article format, the system achieves versatility in handling different packaging sizes while maintaining a relatively simple conveyor structure.
2Productivity
If variable spacing is implemented to accommodate different formats, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional synchronization and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system with variable spacing pusher pins serves multiple functions: it transports articles, controls spacing between articles, and synchronizes article flow with the packaging mechanism. This multi-functionality improves packaging efficiency for various formats without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts pusher pin spacing based on the detected article format, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems. The conveyor essentially self-regulates the spacing to match packaging requirements, improving productivity while keeping control mechanisms relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If constant spacing is used, then the conveyor system is simple, but synchronization between pallets and blanks cannot be dynamically adjusted for different formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a complex mechanical synchronization system with a simpler conveyor-based spacing control using adjustable pusher pins. Instead of using complex mechanical linkages to synchronize pallets and blanks, the system uses the conveyor's pusher pin spacing to naturally regulate the positioning and timing of articles entering the packaging zone.
Data Source
AI summary
With a random incoming axial stream of pallets of articles, there is a stack of blanks, an axial stream synchronized with pallets is formed, all of the pallets are transferred from the axial stream synchronized with pallets to constitute an axial stream that is synchronized with lots, lots are separated by empty spaces having length of one or more article lengths, whereby the spacing is thus variable and adapted to lot length, blanks are unstacked upon demand based on the pallets to constitute a synchronized stream of blanks corresponding to the stream synchronized with lots. Blanks are separated by empty spaces with length of one or more article lengths, starting from the stream synchronized with lots and the stream synchronized with blanks; each lot of articles is made to work with each blank before the blank is folded around the lot of articles and made into a single unit.