Pick Wheel Asynchronous Control for Capping Carousel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capping systems in beverage bottling plants face inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs due to the need for additional devices to manage cap feeding, particularly when there are gaps in container sequences, leading to cap accumulation and potential jamming or waste, and existing solutions are prone to failure under aggressive environments.
Innovation Solution
A system where the pick wheel, responsible for feeding caps to a capping head, can be rotated independently and controlled asynchronously with the capping carousel, allowing for immediate interruption of cap supply by creating gaps or empty pockets at the transfer position, eliminating the need for additional stopper assemblies and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pick wheel with pockets is used to feed closures to capping heads, then closures can be spaced and transferred correctly, but additional devices (stoppers) are required to prevent cap accumulation when containers are missing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the function of the pick wheel with the stopping function. The pick wheel is designed with selectively removable pockets, allowing it to perform both the transport function and the stopping function (by having no pocket available at the transfer position). This eliminates the need for separate stopper devices and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pick wheel is given multiple functions: it transports closures to capping heads and also serves as the stopping mechanism when pockets are removed. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system and simplifies the overall device architecture.
2Reliability
If stoppers with controlled fingers are used to prevent cap feeding, then cap accumulation is prevented, but these devices are prone to failure under aggressive operating environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stopping function from separate stopper devices and integrates it into the pick wheel structure itself. By making the pockets selectively removable rather than using separate stoppers with controlled fingers, the system eliminates components that are prone to failure in aggressive environments, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pockets on the pick wheel are designed to be selectively removable rather than part of a complex stopper mechanism. This simpler, more robust design is less susceptible to failure under aggressive operating conditions and reduces maintenance requirements.
3Reliability
If stoppers are used to interrupt cap feed, then cap accumulation is prevented, but maintenance and cleaning become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the cap accumulation prevention function into the pick wheel's pocket structure. By having pockets selectively removed rather than using separate stopper assemblies, the system reduces the number of parts that require maintenance and cleaning, thereby improving ease of repair and sanitation.
4Loss of time
If the pick wheel rotates asynchronously to interrupt cap supply, then immediate interruption is achieved, but synchronization with capping carousel must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic control of the pick wheel rotation, allowing it to operate synchronously with the capping carousel during normal operation and asynchronously when interruption is needed. This dynamic adaptability enables immediate response to missing containers while maintaining precise control over the pick wheel's rotational position through a controller that manages pocket presence at the transfer position.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (10) has pick wheel (2) having pocket (22) to take away a closure of driving position to transfer position for transferring the closure to capping carousel. The pick wheel forms device for the interruption of the closure feed to the capping carousel. An independent claim is included for method for supplying closure.