Preform Singulation via Pneumatic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separating devices for preforms in the beverage industry face challenges in aligning and sorting preforms, especially when they are inclined or in large numbers, leading to accumulation and misalignment issues within the conveyor lane.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of fluid nozzles arranged below the conveyor lane, which apply a continuous air stream aligned obliquely to the conveying direction, pushing preforms upwards and accelerating them to facilitate alignment and separation within the conveyor lane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical impact aligning is used for tilted preforms, then preform alignment is improved, but device complexity increases due to rotating bodies with star-shaped cross-sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical impact aligning mechanisms (rotating bodies with star-shaped cross-sections) with a pneumatic system. Fluid nozzles directed at the preforms use fluid pressure and flow to align tilted preforms, substituting mechanical contact with non-contact fluid dynamics control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fluid nozzles that direct pressurized fluid at the preforms to achieve alignment. The fluid pressure and flow patterns manipulate the preforms' positions and orientations without mechanical contact, simplifying the overall system while maintaining alignment effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If more conveyor rollers are used to handle large numbers of preforms, then preform transport capacity is improved, but accumulation problems worsen due to limited conveyor lane width
Solution Approach 1:
Fluid nozzles are positioned to direct pressurized fluid at accumulations of preforms in the conveyor lane. The fluid pressure breaks up dense groupings and redistributes preforms uniformly across the lane width, preventing accumulation issues even when handling large quantities of preforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable fluid pressure and flow rates from the nozzles to dynamically respond to different accumulation conditions. By adjusting fluid parameters, the system effectively manages varying numbers of preforms while maintaining uniform distribution in the conveyor lane.
3Productivity
If preforms are fed in large quantities into a small area, then production throughput is improved, but misalignment and accumulation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Fluid nozzles positioned along the conveyor lane direct pressurized fluid at preforms to maintain proper spacing and alignment. The continuous fluid action prevents accumulation and ensures accurate positioning even during high-rate feeding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid nozzles operate continuously along the conveyor lane, providing ongoing alignment and spacing control as preforms move through the system. This continuous action ensures that positioning accuracy is maintained throughout the entire feeding process, not just at discrete points.
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 effectively aligns and separates preforms, even in dense arrangements, by using the fluid flow to lift and accelerate them, preventing accumulation and ensuring smooth transport and sorting within the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
fluid nozzles (13a, 13b, 13c) which are designed to subject the preforms (1) to a fluid flow (40)
Implementation Method 2
apply a continuous air stream aligned obliquely to the conveying direction, pushing preforms upwards and accelerating them
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a singulation device for singulating preforms (1) with a conveying lane (7) arranged along a conveying direction (F), wherein, to form at least one conveying section (8, 9), two counter-rotating conveying rollers (6, 10) with axes of rotation (D) arranged parallel to the conveying direction (F) are spaced apart from each other. According to the invention, one or more fluid nozzles (13a, 13b, 13c) are arranged below the conveying lane (7) for supplying the preforms (1) with a fluid.