Pivotable Hook Transport Wheel for Blow Molding Preform Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow molding machines face inefficiencies in preform transport due to unnecessary ejection of suitable preforms, mechanical friction, and delays caused by conventional ejection mechanisms, which hinder high-speed processing and lead to wear and tear on guide collars.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a rotating transport wheel featuring pivotable hook elements that secure preforms in receiving recesses and an ejection unit using a longitudinally displacing plunger or compressed air for selective ejection, allowing for efficient sorting and preventing unnecessary ejection of intact preforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivoting guide collar is used to eject unsuitable preforms, then defective preforms can be sorted out, but suitable preforms are unnecessarily ejected and transport is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection function is segmented from the guide collar to independent ejector elements that can selectively eject individual preforms without affecting the transport continuity of other preforms. This allows defective preforms to be removed while maintaining high-speed transport of suitable preforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide collar is designed with dynamically adjustable ejector elements that can be activated only when needed for specific defective preforms, rather than requiring continuous pivoting motion. This dynamic activation maintains transport speed while enabling reliable defect detection and sorting.
2Reliability
If a pivoting guide collar is used for ejection, then preform sorting is possible, but mechanical friction increases and guide collar surfaces wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection function is extracted from the guide collar structure and implemented through separate ejector elements. This eliminates the need for the guide collar to pivot and contact preforms, thereby removing the source of mechanical friction and surface wear while preserving the sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pivoting system of the guide collar is replaced with a more efficient ejection mechanism that minimizes friction. The new system uses targeted ejection elements that interact with preforms only when necessary, reducing continuous mechanical contact and associated wear.
3Reliability
If the guide collar is pivoted for ejection, then defective preforms are removed, but transport time is lost and supply must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The transport wheel continues to rotate and supply preforms continuously without interruption. The ejection of defective preforms occurs through localized ejector elements that do not halt the overall transport flow, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection operation is segmented into individual, rapid actions targeting specific defective preforms, rather than requiring a continuous pivoting motion that stops transport. This segmentation allows defect sorting to occur without interrupting the supply of suitable preforms.
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 enables continuous, high-speed preform transport with reduced energy expenditure and minimized mechanical friction, preventing the unintentional ejection of suitable preforms and enhancing the overall performance of the blow molding machine by eliminating the need for pivoting guide collars.
Implementation Method 1
a hook element is arranged in each case, which is mounted on the transport wheel pivotably between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the hook element in the closed position secures a preform to be transported
Implementation Method 2
the ejection plunger in the abutting position being in the One of the recess recesses that juts out into this area
Implementation Method 3
an ejection unit for selectively ejecting an individual preform transported in one of the receiving recesses of the transport wheel, the ejection unit having an ejection plunger that can be longitudinally displaced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to devices and methods for transporting preforms (20) made of a thermoplastic material in the region of a blow-molding machine for blow-molding containers, in particular a transport device (10), having a transport wheel (12) which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis and which comprises multiple receiving recesses (18) distributed in the circumferential direction over the circumference of the transport wheel for receiving and conveying preforms (20). A hook element (14) is arranged on the transport wheel (12) in the region of each receiving recess (18), said hook element being mounted on the transport wheel (12) in a pivotal manner between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position, the hook element (14) secures a preform (20) to be transported in the respective receiving recess (18) from falling out of the receiving recess (18).