Pneumatic Tulip Filling Element for Consistent Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary filling machines have complex and expensive filling elements with tulips that are prone to wear, leading to inconsistent contact forces and inability to adjust filling pressure to match the filling material or container properties, resulting in operational impairments.
Innovation Solution
The tulip is integrated as part of a piston-cylinder arrangement, using a compressible pressure medium to generate and control contact pressure, with mechanisms like springs and cam systems for movement, allowing for adjustable contact pressure and reduced mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cam-controlled mechanisms are used to move the tulip between raised and lowered positions, then the tulip can be positioned and pressed against the container opening, but the construction becomes mechanically complex and wear-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the cam-controlled mechanical system with a pneumatic piston-cylinder arrangement. The tulip is moved between raised and lowered positions by pneumatic pressure acting on a piston, eliminating the need for complex cam mechanisms and rollers. This reduces mechanical complexity and wear while maintaining reliable positioning and contact force generation.
2Reliability
If cam-controlled mechanisms are used to generate contact pressure, then the tulip can be pressed against the container, but the contact forces vary between filling elements due to tolerances and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic piston-cylinder system generates contact pressure through controlled pneumatic pressure rather than mechanical cam profiles. This ensures consistent contact forces across all filling elements since pneumatic pressure can be uniformly controlled, eliminating the variability caused by mechanical tolerances and wear in cam-based systems.
3Reliability
If mechanical transmission elements are used to connect the tulip to the piston-cylinder arrangement, then the tulip can be moved, but the device becomes complex and maintenance-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the tulip directly as the piston of the piston-cylinder arrangement, eliminating the need for mechanical transmission elements such as rods, couplings, and connectors. The pneumatic pressure acts directly on the tulip to move it, simplifying the structure and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed cam profiles are used to control tulip movement, then the filling process can be executed, but the contact pressure cannot be adjusted to match different filling materials or container properties
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic piston-cylinder system allows contact pressure to be adjusted by varying the pneumatic pressure parameter. This enables adaptation to different filling materials and container properties without changing the mechanical structure, providing versatility while maintaining simple construction. The contact force can be dynamically controlled through pressure regulation.
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 design simplifies the filling element, enables optimal container contact, reduces mechanical stress, and allows for adjustable contact pressure matching the filling material and container properties, improving operational reliability and reducing wear-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
at least to the pressure of a pressure medium, preferably a compressible pressure medium, namely to the pressure of a vaporous and/or gaseous pressure medium
Implementation Method 2
the respective tulip is returned to the raised starting position and/or the tulip is held in this starting position mechanically, but at least mechanically supported, for example by at least one spring element acting as a return spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling element of a filling machine for filling cans, bottles, or similar containers (2) with a liquid fill material, having at least one dispensing opening (8) for directing the liquid fill material into each container through a container opening (2.1) forming an opening edge, having at least one container contact surface (14) for the opening edge at a tulip (13, 13a, 13b) displaceable on a filling element housing (6) between a raised starting position and a lowered position, and having means for moving the tulip between the starting position and the lowered position and for pressing the tulip against the opening edge of each container with a contact pressure.