Pneumatic Sensor for Flexible Container Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve bag filling devices face challenges in reliably monitoring the positioning of flexible containers, especially when filling powdery substances, due to contamination impairing sensor functionality.

Innovation Solution

A filling device equipped with a sensor system using air nozzles connected to a compressed air supply, which detects the presence of container sections through pressure changes, ensuring accurate positioning and resistance to contamination by blowing away particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sensors are used to detect container positioning, then positioning detection is achieved, but the sensors become contaminated and impaired when filling powdery substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a pneumatic sensor system where compressed air is directed through nozzles toward the container section. The presence of the container section is detected by measuring pressure changes in the compressed air stream. This pneumatic approach eliminates direct contact between sensors and powdery material, preventing contamination while maintaining reliable positioning detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical or optical sensors with a pneumatic detection system. Instead of using sensors that directly contact or visually detect the container, the system uses compressed air flow and pressure measurements to infer the presence and position of the container section, thereby avoiding contamination issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If air nozzles are used to detect container positioning, then contamination resistance is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination resistanceVSAvoidsensor device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air supply system serves multiple functions: it provides air for the pneumatic detection system and can also be used for other process requirements. The pressure sensor monitors the same air stream that interacts with the container, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the compressed air supply function with the positioning detection function. The same compressed air stream that would normally just be supplied for process needs is also used as the detection medium, and the pressure sensor is integrated into the existing air supply line, thereby merging multiple functions into a single system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are used to monitor compressed air supply, then positioning detection accuracy is improved, but the cost of the sensor device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor device cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the compressed air supply's own pressure changes to detect container positioning. The pressure sensor monitors the natural pressure variations in the air stream caused by the container section's presence, eliminating the need for external detection systems or additional energy sources. The system essentially detects positioning using the process medium itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The system provides reliable and contamination-resistant positioning detection, ensuring correct filling and closing of flexible containers, preventing material escape and ensuring secure closure.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor device has at least one air nozzle connected to a compressed air supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air flow:

Implementation Method 2

At least one pressure sensor is arranged in the compressed air supply, which detects the pressure in the compressed air supply and enables the pressure in the compressed air supply to be monitored

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure change detection:

Implementation Method 3

When a section of the container reaches the at least one air nozzle connected to the compressed air supply, the air pressure in the compressed air supply changes, whereby the presence of the section of the container can be detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4431406A1Filling device

Publication Date: 2024.09.18 GREIF VELOX MASCHFAB GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filling device for filling a flexible container (3), which has a filling device for filling the container (3), a closing device (6) for closing the filled container (3) and at least one sensor device (10, 11) which is arranged such that it detects at least one predetermined position of a section (4) of the container (3) in the filling device, wherein the sensor device has at least one air nozzle (10, 11) which is connected to a compressed air supply (13), and wherein at least one pressure sensor (14) is arranged in the compressed air supply.