Rotary Filling Machine Load Cell Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling machines are not suitable for accurately determining the quantity of filling material by weight and do not facilitate quick and problem-free changeovers between filling and CIP cleaning/disinfection, nor do they support format changes between different container types and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A rotary filling machine with load cells integrated into container carriers on a support ring, allowing weight-dependent control of the filling process and enabling quick format changes by synchronously rotating and adjusting the carrier relative to the rotor, ensuring precise volume control and efficient CIP operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotary filling machine is used for high-speed filling operations, then productivity is improved, but the ability to accurately determine filling quantity by weight is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A load cell is introduced as an intermediary component between the container carrier and the support ring to enable weight-based filling quantity measurement. The load cell acts as a mediator that converts mechanical weight into an electrical signal, allowing precise measurement of filling quantity while maintaining high-speed rotary operation capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple container supports are assigned to each filling position for format flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple container supports for different formats are merged onto a single rotatable support ring structure. The support ring can be rotated to bring different container supports into alignment with the filling position, allowing format changes without requiring multiple fixed support structures. This combining approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability
3Ease of operation
If the support ring is made adjustable for CIP cleaning and format changes, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is designed with multi-functionality to serve both filling operations and CIP cleaning/disinfection processes. By integrating container supports, CIP caps, and rinsing capabilities into a single rotatable assembly, the system achieves ease of operation for different modes while maintaining reliability through a unified, well-sealed structure that minimizes leakage 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
The machine achieves high operational reliability and accuracy in filling quantities, enabling quick changeovers and format changes, with precise weight measurement and efficient CIP cleaning/disinfection processes, even with diverse container types and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
each container carrier (8) is assigned a sensor unit, in this case a load cell (11), which detects the weight of the container (2) and/or the filling material
Data Source
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AI summary
A filling machine for filling containers (2) with a filling material, having a plurality of filling positions (4) formed on a rotating transport element, for example on the circumference of a rotor (3) that can be driven in rotation about a vertical machine axis, said filling positions (4) each having a filling element (7), and also a functional element which is designed as a container carrier (8) and which, together with at least one further functional element assigned to the respective filling position (4), is arranged on a carrier (12) common to all the filling positions (4), for example in the form of a carrier ring. The container carrier (8) is equipped with a weighing cell (11) secured on the common carrier (12) and permitting quantity-controlled filling of the containers (2).