Packaging Machine Transport Chain with Dynamic Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging machines are limited in their ability to process flat material cuts, such as coated cardboard, which cannot be fed from a dispenser roll and require adaptation to use alternative, more environmentally friendly materials, while also handling endless plastic film webs efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a transport chain system featuring pivoting and displacing chain clamps, a chain opening mechanism, and adjustable components to securely transport and process both flat material cuts and endless webs without buckling or bending, allowing for efficient feeding and processing of various materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transport chain with closed chain clamps is used to convey material blanks, then the material blank is securely fixed and transported, but the material blank may be creased or bent during insertion and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The chain clamps are designed to be dynamically openable and closable. During material blank insertion, the chain clamps are opened to allow free insertion without contact pressure. During transport, the chain clamps are closed to securely fix the material blank. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between secure fixation and preventing creases.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain clamps are opened in advance before the material blank arrives at the insertion position. This preliminary opening action ensures that the material blank can be inserted without resistance or contact that would cause creasing. The chain clamps then close after insertion to provide secure transport.
2Productivity
If the packaging machine is designed to handle continuous plastic film webs, then endless webs can be processed efficiently, but the machine cannot accommodate flat material blanks such as coated cardboard
Solution Approach 1:
The transport chain with openable/closable chain clamps serves multiple functions: it can securely transport both continuous plastic film webs and discrete flat material blanks. The chain clamps can be opened to accommodate flat blanks inserted from the side, and closed to securely transport them. For continuous webs, the chain clamps remain closed to provide continuous securing. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between processing efficiency and material versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain clamps dynamically adjust their state based on the material type being processed. For flat material blanks, they open during insertion and close during transport. For continuous webs, they maintain a closed state for continuous securing. This dynamic adaptation enables the machine to efficiently handle different material types without dedicated equipment for each.
3Reliability
If chain clamps are kept closed during material blank insertion, then secure fixation is maintained, but insertion becomes difficult and may cause material deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The chain clamps are designed to be openable and closable dynamically. During the insertion phase, the chain clamps are opened to provide easy access for material blank insertion without resistance. After insertion is complete, the chain clamps close to provide secure fixation for transport. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain clamps undergo periodic opening and closing cycles synchronized with the material blank insertion and transport process. They open periodically to allow insertion, then close periodically to secure the material for transport. This periodic action pattern ensures both ease of operation during insertion and reliability during transport.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Packaging machine (1) with several workstations (3, 4), a transport chain (5) for transporting a flat material blank (9) to the workstations (3, 4), and a chain deflection (11) on which the transport chain (5) is mounted. The transport chain (5) comprises chain clamps (7), each with an upper part (17) and a lower part (19), and the upper part (17) and/or the lower part (19) is pivotable and/or slidable to open and close the chain clamps (7). The material blank (9) can be inserted into the open chain clamps (7) and is fixed in the closed chain clamps (7) so that the material blank (9) can be moved along a transport direction (T) by means of the transport chain (5).The packaging machine (1) has a chain opening mechanism (13) which is configured to be actively actuated to change from an open state (A) to a closed state (B) and vice versa in order to reversibly open at least one chain clamp (7) of a level section (H) of the transport chain (5) and/or to keep an already opened chain clamp (7) open so that the material blank (9) can be inserted into the chain clamp (7).