Rod Object Distributor Gravity Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for distributing objects in the form of rods, such as cigarettes or filters, face issues like tilting and random arrangement during transfer, leading to jamming and increased costs due to complex mechanisms and high maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a conveyor belt with transverse separators and a hopper with a one-to-one distributor, where objects are engaged by gravity, eliminating the need for pusher mechanisms and ensuring objects are centered during transfer, using a semi-cylindrical support and guide casing and a flexible vertical partition to maintain object alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pusher mechanisms are used to load rod-shaped objects into the receptacle, then the objects can be transferred, but the objects tilt and arrange randomly causing jamming and increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pusher mechanism from the system. Instead of using a complex pusher to force objects into the receptacle, the design allows objects to be transferred naturally through gravity and geometric constraints, removing the source of complexity while maintaining transfer functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The rod-shaped objects self-align and self-center during transfer through the geometric design of the receptacle and guide elements. The objects automatically position themselves parallel to each other without requiring active control mechanisms, achieving self-service alignment during the transfer process
2Productivity
If pusher mechanisms are used to load rod-shaped objects, then transfer can occur, but adjustment and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the pusher mechanism entirely, the invention eliminates the components that would require adjustment and maintenance. The simplified transfer system has fewer moving parts and control elements, making it inherently easier to maintain and repair
3Productivity
If conventional transfer mechanisms are used, then objects can be moved, but the objects tilt and arrange randomly during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces guide elements and a specifically designed receptacle geometry as intermediaries between the conveyor and the final position. These elements mediate the transfer process by providing geometric constraints that guide the rod-shaped objects into parallel alignment, preventing random arrangement during transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The design creates a gravitational field configuration where the natural fall and movement of objects leads to their self-alignment. By positioning the receptacle and guide elements appropriately, the system uses gravity to ensure objects settle into parallel positions without requiring additional alignment mechanisms
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 simplifies adjustments, reduces production and maintenance costs, and ensures controlled, centered transfer of objects, minimizing jamming and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a one-to-one distributor arranged in the bottom of the hopper and in which the rod-shaped objects are engaged by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device (1) has a semi-cylindrical guiding and supporting case (8) with radius equal to sum of radius of a downstream pulley (4') and height of transversal separators (5). The case is co-axial to the pulley and oriented in a manner to maintain stick shaped objects (7) e.g. cigerattes, inside compartments (6) during passing of an endless conveyor belt (3) on the pulley. A flexible vertical partition (11) separates an inner space of a hopper (9) into two sub-parts (12, 12') communicating together, where a partition's vertical axis and a case's inner end are arranged in a co-axial manner.