Packaging Machine Automatic Mould Alignment and Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing packaging machines require complex, time-consuming, and labor-intensive manual adjustments for precise alignment and replacement of moulds and cutting mechanisms, necessitating professional personnel and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an electrical control device and blade displacement driving device for automatic alignment of forming, sealing, and cutting mechanisms, along with an automatic mould replacing device using a mould elevating mechanism and numerical control indexing driving mechanism, enables precise positioning and automatic mould replacement, reducing manual intervention and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual mould replacement and alignment adjustment is performed, then the packaging machine can be operated, but the process is complex, time-consuming and requires professional personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemould replacement operationVSAvoidmould replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic mould replacement and alignment through the control unit coordinating the positioning mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention and professional personnel in the mould changing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical adjustment operations are replaced by an automated control system that coordinates positioning mechanisms through electrical signals, substituting human mechanical operations with an automated control-mechanism system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mould replacement is performed frequently for different materials, then the machine can handle various packaging needs, but the adjustment work must be repeated and consumes high energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial change capabilityVSAvoidadjustment energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-positions moulds and mechanisms to required locations before actual packaging operations begin, storing multiple moulds in predetermined positions and automatically selecting them based on material type, thereby avoiding repeated adjustment cycles and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment between forming mechanism, sealing mechanism and cutting mechanism is achieved manually, then accurate positioning is obtained, but the process requires professional personnel and complex adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism alignment precisionVSAvoidalignment adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Position sensors detect the actual locations of mechanisms and moulds, providing feedback signals to the control unit, which then automatically calculates and adjusts positioning to achieve precise alignment between forming, sealing, and cutting mechanisms without manual measurement or adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual measurement and alignment procedures are replaced by an automated feedback control system using position sensors and electronic control to achieve precise mechanism alignment, eliminating the need for professional alignment personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If the mould is made heavy for durability, then the structure is stable, but the replacement requires strong personnel and is difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemould structural strengthVSAvoidmould replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy mould is automatically handled and positioned by motorized positioning mechanisms under control unit coordination, eliminating the need for strong personnel to manually handle the mould during replacement operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mould handling operations are replaced by automated positioning mechanisms that use motors and control systems to move and position the heavy mould, substituting human physical strength with mechanical automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10562657B2Packaging machine

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 HUSOBAI

AI summary

A packaging machine, including a base film entering mechanism, a forming mechanism, a sealing mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a clip chain, a clip chain driving device, an electrical control device and a blade displacement driving device. The cutting mechanism is provided with the blade displacement driving device. The electrical control device is connected to the forming mechanism, the sealing mechanism, the cutting mechanism and the blade displacement driving device. One of the three mechanisms i.e. the forming mechanism, the sealing mechanism or the cutting mechanism is fixed, and its working reference line is determined. The electrical control device adjusts the other two mechanisms to a position with the working reference lines at an integer multiple of the mould width away from the working reference line of the position-determined mechanism and fix them accordingly. The forming mechanism and the sealing mechanism both use automatic mould replacing devices.