Pallet Clamp Bushing for Tool-Free Labeling Machine Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallets for pallet carousels in cold glue labeling units are cumbersome to exchange and require extensive maintenance, especially when a permanently mounted upper bearing plate is involved, making it difficult to attach or detach pallets from pallet shafts without tools.
Innovation Solution
A pallet design featuring a bushing with a foldable clamp and toggle fastener mechanism that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the pallet from the shaft, enabling manual operation without tools, along with a pin and vacuum channel system for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional bushings with flanges are used for mounting pallets on shafts, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the exchange and maintenance require extensive work and tool assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is divided into two separable parts: a base body that remains on the shaft and a clamp that attaches to the pallet. This segmentation allows the pallet to be easily attached and detached by simply removing the clamp, while the base body remains permanently mounted on the shaft, eliminating the need for extensive maintenance work.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to be movable between an open position (for easy attachment/detachment of the pallet) and a closed position (for secure mounting). This dynamic design allows the mounting mechanism to transition between ease of operation and secure fixation, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanently mounted upper bearing plates are used for pallet shafts, then the structural stability is improved, but the pallet exchange becomes impossible or requires extensive maintenance work
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a permanently mounted base body (providing structural stability) and a removable clamp assembly (enabling easy pallet exchange). This allows the bearing plate to remain permanently fixed for stability while the pallet shaft can be quickly replaced by removing the clamp, eliminating the need for extensive maintenance work.
3Ease of operation
If manual tool-free operation is implemented for clamping mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the clamping force and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manual clamping mechanism replaces complex tool-assisted fastening systems with a simple lever-based mechanical advantage system. The clamping lever provides sufficient clamping force through mechanical advantage while remaining operable by hand, achieving both ease of operation and reliable clamping connection without requiring tools.
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
Facilitates simple, reliable, and reproducible mounting of pallets on pallet shafts, reducing maintenance complexity and enabling easy assembly and disassembly, particularly in labeling machines where labels are sprayed with glue.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum channel (15) is formed in the base body (2), which connects a vacuum connection (16), which is preferably formed on the front side at the pin (13), to a suction area (17) for labels opposite the base body (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D~3E
AI summary
A pallet (1) for a pallet carousel (34) for labeling containers (32), wherein the pallet (1) comprises a bushing (5) for receiving a shaft (6) supporting the pallet and a clamping mechanism for locking the shaft in the bushing. Furthermore, the bushing (5) comprises at least one cross-sectional segment configured as a clamping bracket (3) that can be opened at a hinge joint (4) for inserting the shaft (6) into the bushing, and the clamping mechanism comprises a locking device (7) for the clamping bracket, which presses the shaft against a base body of the pallet (1) by means of the closed clamping bracket (3). The pallet can therefore be easily attached to a pallet shaft of a pallet carousel.