Packing Box Machine Transverse Head Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for making packing boxes are complex and costly due to the use of multiple electric motors and servo-mechanisms for positioning longitudinal working heads, making them inefficient and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a first working head and a second working head, where the second working heads are positioned using a slider and a transmission belt driven by a single motor, allowing for precise and automatic transverse movement without the need for multiple electric motors, and enabling both automatic and manual positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple electric motors and servo-mechanisms are used to position each longitudinal working head autonomously, then positioning precision and automation are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function of multiple working heads into a single transverse positioning mechanism. Instead of each working head having its own motor and servo-mechanism, all working heads are positioned simultaneously through one motor that moves a common transverse guide, reducing the number of components while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single transverse positioning mechanism serves multiple working heads simultaneously. The transverse guide and positioning means are universal components that can position any working head in the group, making the system more efficient and less complex while achieving the same positioning function.

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

2Extent of automation

If multiple electric motors are used to command different longitudinal working heads, then automatic positioning capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic positioning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motor functions into a single motor that drives the transverse positioning of all working heads. This reduction from multiple motors to one significantly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the automatic positioning capability through the centralized control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of replicating complete motor-servo-mechanism assemblies for each working head, the patent uses a single motor and transverse guide that can position all working heads. The positioning function is copied across multiple heads through the common transverse guide rather than through separate motor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If each longitudinal working head has independent motor and servo-mechanism, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the machine becomes very complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the independent positioning systems of multiple working heads into a single coordinated system. The transverse guide and positioning means work together to position all working heads simultaneously, reducing machine complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through the unified transverse positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The machine simplifies the process of making packing boxes by reducing the number of electric motors required, making it more cost-effective and allowing for precise automatic positioning of working heads, while also enabling manual adjustment, thus reducing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission belt (30) commanded by a motor (35) and having at least a rectilinear segment substantially parallel to the transverse direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2566688B1Machine and method for making packing boxes
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 PANOTEC SRL
  • EP2566688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2566688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2566688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Machine for making packing boxes, by means of cutting and/or pre-creasing operations on a sheet (F) of sufficiently rigid material, comprising feed rolls (15, 16), able to move the sheet (F) forward in a first longitudinal direction (L). A first working head (21) is mobile in a transverse direction (T), substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), in order to make transverse cuts and/or pre-creasings on the sheet (F). A group of second working heads (41) can be positioned along the transverse direction (T), in order to make longitudinal cuts and/or pre-creasings. A positioning device (75) is disposed on the first working head (21), able to cooperate with each second working head (41) in order to selectively position it in the transverse direction (T).