Pivotable Gripper Transfer for Container Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container coating devices, particularly those using plasma treatment, are expensive to operate due to the need for numerous rotating plasma stations and lack efficiency in transferring and handling containers of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a transfer unit having pivotable grippers attached to a main support frame, allowing for flexible movement and handling of containers between a conveyor and treatment stations, with features like adjustable gripper distance and independent operation of infeed and outfeed conveyor parts, enabling efficient and precise transfer of containers of different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple rotating plasma stations are used for container coating, then coating capacity is improved, but device complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple plasma coating stations into a single treatment chamber where multiple containers can be coated simultaneously. The gripper unit transfers containers to the treatment chamber, and multiple containers are processed in parallel within the same chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate rotating plasma stations while maintaining high coating capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber is designed as a universal processing space that can accommodate and treat multiple containers of different sizes. The chamber serves multiple functions: holding multiple containers, providing plasma treatment to all containers simultaneously, and working配合 with the gripper unit for continuous loading and unloading operations.
2Reliability
If containers are transferred using a fixed gripper mechanism, then transfer stability is improved, but adaptability to containers of varying sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper unit incorporates adjustable gripping positions and flexible gripping mechanisms that can adapt to different container sizes. The gripper can be positioned at different locations along the container and can adjust its gripping force, providing stable transfer for various container types while maintaining adaptability to size variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of gripper parameters such as gripping position, gripping force, and transfer trajectory to accommodate different container sizes. By changing these parameters dynamically, the gripper maintains reliable and stable transfer for both small and large containers without compromising transfer stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper unit is mounted on a movable slide, then flexibility in movement path is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper mounting system is segmented into modular components: the gripper unit itself, the slide mechanism for linear movement, and the pivot mechanism for angular movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, providing flexible movement paths while keeping the overall system manageable and maintainable through modular design.
4Productivity
If infeed and outfeed conveyors operate independently, then transfer efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infeed and outfeed conveyors are controlled independently to allow preliminary preparation of containers before treatment. The infeed conveyor can continue supplying containers to the treatment chamber while the outfeed conveyor is prepared to receive treated containers, enabling continuous operation and improving transfer efficiency through coordinated but independent control of each conveyor section.
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
This solution enhances throughput, reduces operational costs, and allows for the handling of containers of varying sizes without modifying the conveyor or treatment stations, improving accessibility for maintenance and flexibility in handling curved or non-linear treatment positions.
Implementation Method 1
the container (2) is conveyed through the coating device (1) in a horizontal position on an air bearing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for coating containers (17) by means of a coating process with a main supporting frame, wherein the following devices are present within the main supporting frame: a conveying device (13) for the containers (17), a treatment station for coating the containers (17), a transfer device (1), which moves the containers (17) between the conveying device (13) and the treatment station, wherein the transfer device (1) has a gripper unit (2), which is mounted pivotably along a pivot axis (5) aligned parallel to the conveying device (13) on a gripper frame (7), which is arranged fixed in place in relation to the main supporting frame during the operation of the device, wherein the gripper unit (2) is mounted on a carriage (8) connected to the gripper frame (7) and the carriage (8) can perform linear movements in three mutually perpendicular directions; wherein the gripper unit (2) is movable between a first position, in which it can grip the containers (17) in the region of the conveying device (13), and a second position, in which it can insert the containers (17) into the treatment station and fetch them from it. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating such a device.