Labeling Machine Pallet Surface for Contour-Matched Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container labeling machines face challenges in efficiently and reliably picking up and transporting labels with complex contours due to mismatched suction areas, leading to reduced suction performance and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A pallet system with a detachable elastic surface element featuring grouped suction openings and passive areas, adapted to the label contour, ensures complete coverage by the suction area, minimizing ambient air intake and enhancing process control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction area covers the entire contour of the surface element, then the suction performance is maximized for labels matching the contour, but ambient air is drawn through uncovered holes for complexly shaped labels, reducing suction performance and control
Solution Approach 1:
The suction area is segmented into multiple individually controllable suction zones corresponding to different groups of holes. This allows selective activation of only those suction zones needed for the current label format, preventing ambient air intake from uncovered areas while maintaining reliable suction for the label being processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction system dynamically adapts its active suction area to match the contour of the label being processed. By selectively activating or deactivating individual suction zones based on the label's position and shape, the system maintains optimal suction performance without drawing in ambient air through uncovered holes.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the suction area is reduced to match complex label contours, then ambient air intake is minimized, but the suction performance is insufficient for labels that do not cover all holes
Solution Approach 1:
The suction area is divided into multiple independently controllable zones, each corresponding to a group of holes. This segmentation enables the system to activate only the necessary suction zones for the current label format, ensuring sufficient suction performance while preventing ambient air intake from areas not needed for the specific label contour.
3Device complexity
If the pallet design uses a fixed suction area covering the entire surface element, then the design is simple, but it requires high suction capacities and increases operating costs for complexly shaped labels
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones, allowing selective activation of only those zones needed for the current label format. This reduces the total suction capacity required compared to activating the entire surface area, thereby lowering operating costs while maintaining a relatively simple pallet design structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters by selectively activating or deactivating individual suction zones based on the label format being processed. This parameter adjustment optimizes energy consumption by matching the active suction area to the actual needs of the label contour, reducing operating costs without significantly increasing design complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the pallet uses a rigid support body with fixed suction holes, then the structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to different label formats and contours
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones on the rigid support body. This allows the stable rigid structure to maintain its compositional stability while adapting to different label formats by selectively activating specific suction zones, thereby achieving both structural stability and format adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
While the rigid support body maintains its stable structure, the suction system dynamically adapts to different label formats by selectively activating or deactivating individual suction zones. This dynamic control enables the fixed rigid structure to effectively adapt to various label contours and formats without compromising structural stability.
5Strength
If the surface element is permanently attached to the pallet, then the connection is secure, but replacement of worn surface elements requires tool-based removal and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the surface element and pallet transitions from permanently fixed to dynamically adjustable. The detachable connection mechanism allows the surface element to be securely attached during operation (maintaining connection strength) while enabling tool-free removal and installation when replacement is needed (improving ease of repair).
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
Enables quick and cost-effective format changes, maintaining reliable label pickup and transport with reduced operational effort and costs, even for labels with varying contours.
Implementation Method 1
suction openings formed on the contact side for drawing in the labels
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Described are a pallet (1) for a pallet carousel (22) of a container labeling machine (21), an associated surface element (3) with an elastic contact side (4), and a method for format adjustment of pallets of a container labeling machine. The pallet comprises a rigid support body (2) and a detachably attached surface element (3) with an elastic contact side (4) for labels (5, 5') and suction openings (6, 16) formed on the contact side for suctioning the labels. By including at least one suction area (7, 17) in which the suction openings are grouped, and at least one passive area (8, 18) without suction openings, in order to limit the suction area to a suction contour that deviates from the overall contour of the contact side and is, in particular, format-specific, the intake of ambient air through suction openings not covered by the labels can be reliably prevented.Furthermore, the surface element, as an interchangeable component with different suction areas, enables quick and cost-effective adaptation of the pallets to different label formats.