Synchronization Device for Packer Chain Infeed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines require synchronous supply of products to maintain high production capacity, but asynchronous supply from furnaces leads to irregularities in pitch and speed, causing damage to fragile products and inefficiencies, especially when integrating with existing machinery that is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization system comprising a transport device and a synchronization device that adjusts the pitch and speed of product groups to match the packaging machine's requirements, using a conveyor chain and conveyer members to orient and synchronize products without modifying the existing machinery, reducing product damage and increasing production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a buffer is used to collect and synchronize asynchronous product supply from furnaces to meet the synchronous requirements of existing packaging machines, then the production capacity and synchronous supply requirement are met, but the system becomes large in size, inflexible, and causes significant product damage especially to fragile biscuits or cookies
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization device divides the product flow into multiple parallel tracks, with each track handling a portion of the products independently. This segmentation allows asynchronous products from different furnace tracks to be processed and synchronized separately, reducing the need for large buffer collections and minimizing product handling and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a time dimension to the synchronization process by using adjustable pitch between conveyer members. Instead of spatial buffering, the system synchronizes products by controlling the timing and spacing of conveyer member movement, transforming the synchronization approach from spatial accumulation to temporal coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing packaging machines are modified or replaced to handle asynchronous supply, then flexibility and product damage are reduced, but the high cost and complexity of modifying or replacing costly and complex machinery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization function is extracted from the packaging machine itself and placed in a separate synchronization device positioned between the furnace and packaging machine. This extraction allows the existing packaging machine to remain unchanged, avoiding modification costs and complexity while still providing asynchronous supply handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronization device is introduced as an intermediary component between the furnace and packaging machine. This mediator handles the asynchronous supply conversion to synchronous supply, allowing both the furnace and packaging machine to operate at their optimal speeds without requiring modifications to either system.
3Reliability
If the pitch and speed of product groups are adjusted to match the packaging machine's constant speed and pitch, then synchronous supply is achieved, but additional synchronization equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer members are designed with adjustable pitch capability, allowing dynamic modification of the spacing between members. This dynamic adjustment enables the synchronization device to adapt to different product speeds and pitches from the furnace, achieving synchronous supply without requiring complex mechanical transmission systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pitch parameter of the conveyer members to synchronize asynchronous product supply with the constant pitch requirement of the packaging machine. By controlling the pitch between conveyer members, the system achieves speed and position synchronization without complex additional equipment.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The present invention provides a system for infeed in a packer chain of an existing packaging machine of groups of products for the manufacturing of rolls or boxes of cookies, each of the group consisting of a predetermined amount of individual products, such as biscuits or cookies, as well as a synchronizing device and a transport device of such a system. The system is arranged to correct fluctuations in speed of supply of dough products and to synchronize the asynchronous supply with the continues speed of the packer chain of a packaging machine. To this end the system comprises a transport device which supplies products in a transverse direction in groups and a synchronization device, arranged to be positioned between the transport device and the packaging machine, and comprising a plurality of conveyer members for taking over the groups of products between pairs of the plurality of conveyer members in a direction perpendicular to the conveyer chain in a longitudinal direction in respect to the conveying direction of the conveying members, wherein the synchronization device is further arranged to synchronize the groups of products at predetermined mutually equal pitch, and transfer speed with the constant pitch and conveying speed of the synchronous packer chain for accordingly take over by the packer chain of the groups of products by, during the time of taking over a group of products from the conveyer chain and the moment of taking over by the packer chain, increasing and/or decreasing the pitch between the pairs of conveyer members.