Packaging Plant Control Unit Energy Saving Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packaging systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption, particularly in varying operational modes and handling disruptions, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A control unit manages energy-saving modes by assigning programs based on operating states, production speed, and operational interruptions, allowing for automatic adaptation and optimization of energy usage through self-learning capabilities and manual or automatic selection of programs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organs are operated continuously at full capacity to maintain readiness, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem readinessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of organs between operating mode and energy-saving mode based on real-time monitoring of operational disruptions. The control unit receives signals about disruptions and automatically transitions organs to appropriate states, making the system adaptable rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors for operational disruptions and receives signals from organs. Based on this feedback, the control unit determines whether to maintain organs in operating mode or transition them to energy-saving mode, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If organs are switched to energy-saving mode during operational disruptions, then energy consumption is reduced, but system response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for potential disruptions by having pre-programmed responses in the control unit. When a disruption is detected, the control unit can immediately execute predetermined actions to transition organs between modes, reducing the time penalty associated with mode switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses time-based criteria to determine when to transition organs between modes. The control unit evaluates the duration and nature of disruptions periodically and switches organs to energy-saving mode only when appropriate conditions are met, balancing energy savings with response time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating modes are implemented for different products, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors operational disruptions, receives signals from various organs, determines appropriate responses, and controls transitions between operating modes. This multi-functional approach consolidates control complexity into a single unit rather than requiring separate control systems for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines and executes the appropriate operating mode based on the type of disruption detected and the specific organ affected. The control unit self-manages the complexity of mode selection without requiring manual intervention, making the system adaptable while keeping operational complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2578499B1System for operating a packaging plant
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP2578499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578499B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578499B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for operating a packaging plant (10) for products, in particular tobacco products, wherein several components of the packaging plant (10), in particular packaging machines or assemblies thereof, follow one another within a packaging process. The invention is characterized in that, in order to improve the energy efficiency of the packaging plant (10), components are at least partially switched to an energy-saving mode at least temporarily by means of at least one control unit (27), in which the corresponding components require less energy than in an operating mode.