Preform Conveying Apparatus with Orienting Feed Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting preforms to blow molding machines have limited throughput, making it difficult to meet the demands of high-performance machines, and are inefficient in aligning preforms for smooth transfer.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a conveyor, feed, and sorting system where preforms are aligned in the feed device to match the conveying direction, utilizing a chute to maintain kinetic energy and adjust speed, and deflection devices to prevent jumping, allowing for continuous and efficient transfer to the sorting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If deflection devices guide preforms in the opposite direction to transport direction, then preform alignment is improved, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feed device performs preliminary alignment of preforms in the transport direction before they enter the sorting device. By pre-aligning preforms while they are still in motion and guiding them in the same direction as transport rather than against it, the system maintains throughput while achieving proper alignment for the sorting device
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of guiding preforms in the opposite direction to transport direction (as in prior art), the invention guides them in the same direction. This inversion of the guiding approach allows preforms to maintain their kinetic energy and momentum, enabling high throughput while still achieving alignment through the feed device's geometry
2Manufacturing precision
If preforms are decelerated to align them, then alignment is improved, but kinetic energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment is performed preliminarily in the feed device before preforms enter the sorting device. The feed device's geometry and deflection surfaces align preforms while they are still moving at high speed, eliminating the need for subsequent deceleration and preserving kinetic energy throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the feed device (deflection angles, surface orientations) to align preforms in the transport direction without changing their speed parameter. This allows alignment to be achieved through spatial reorientation rather than velocity reduction, maintaining kinetic energy
3Productivity
If throughput is increased for high-performance machines, then productivity is improved, but preform control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The feed device performs preliminary alignment and control of preforms at high speed before they reach the sorting device. This preliminary action ensures that even at increased throughput rates, preforms are properly oriented and controlled, maintaining reliability despite higher productivity demands
Solution Approach 2:
The feed device is designed to dynamically adapt to high-speed preform flow. Its deflection surfaces and geometry are optimized to maintain control over preforms moving at high velocities, ensuring that increased throughput does not compromise preform control or alignment quality
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 solution increases throughput by maintaining kinetic energy and ensuring preforms enter the sorting device aligned and at the correct speed, enhancing the efficiency of high-performance blow molding machines.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of the preforms in the feed device is aligned in the direction of the flow of the preforms in the sorting device
Implementation Method 2
the preforms from the conveyor device coming fall
Implementation Method 3
by means of which the falling speed of the preforms can be reduced and in this way the jumping of the preforms can also be reduced
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for conveying preforms, for example to a blow molding machine for producing containers from a thermoplastic material. Said apparatus comprises a conveying device which conveys preforms away from a supply of preforms, a feeding device to which preforms are supplied by the conveying device, and a sorting device in which the preforms are sorted and are conveyed in a direction of travel at a certain conveying speed. The conveying device ends above the sorting device. The inlet end of the feeding device has a holding zone which the preforms reach as they arrive from the conveying device, and the discharge end of the feeding device has a transfer zone via which the preforms reach the sorting device. The invention is characterized in that the feeding device also has an orienting zone which includes orienting means and which is designed in such a way that in the orienting zone, the flow of preforms is oriented in the direction of the flow of the preforms in the sorting device (direction of travel), and the preforms run through the transfer zone oriented in said manner.