Rotary Machine Housing Shielding for Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container treatment systems lack effective and adjustable shielding solutions to prevent interference and container detachment, posing risks to safety and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A rotary container treatment system with multi-part shielding elements that can be pivoted and connected to treatment modules, featuring articulated cladding elements and connecting elements for adjustable coverage and easy access during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shielding elements are arranged between treatment modules to prevent interference and container detachment, then safety is improved, but access for maintenance and service becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccess for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding elements are designed as pivotable and foldable structures that can dynamically change their position between a closed state during operation (providing safety) and an open state during maintenance (providing access). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to serve opposing functions at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding elements are divided into multiple segments or panels that can be independently pivoted or folded. This segmentation allows partial access to treatment modules while maintaining shielding in other areas, resolving the contradiction between complete safety coverage and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If fixed shielding elements are used to ensure complete coverage, then safety is improved, but adaptability to varying gap dimensions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding coverageVSAvoidadjustability to gap dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding elements incorporate adjustable and reconfigurable features that allow them to adapt to different gap dimensions between treatment modules. The pivotable and foldable design enables the shielding structure to be reconfigured for varying spatial requirements while maintaining complete coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding elements are designed as multi-functional components that can serve different configurations for different gap sizes and maintenance requirements. The same shielding structure can provide complete coverage for safety or be reconfigured to accommodate different module arrangements, achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If complex locking mechanisms are added to maintain shielding position, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding position stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable and foldable shielding elements utilize gravity, spring forces, or simple mechanical stops to maintain their positions automatically without requiring complex locking mechanisms. The design allows the shielding structure to self-stabilize in both closed and open positions, achieving reliability while minimizing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical locking systems are replaced with simpler mechanisms such as gravity-based positioning, spring-loaded latches, or friction-based holding. These simplified mechanisms provide sufficient positional stability while significantly reducing the overall complexity of the shielding system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3036168B1Housing of rotary machines with peripheral modules
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 KHS GMBH
  • EP3036168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3036168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3036168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container processing installation includes a carousel with processing modules disposed around a periphery thereof, each pair of adjacent processing modules being separated a screened gap. The screen that screens this gap is a multi-part panel arrangement having a first panel mounted to a processing module such that it can swivel and a second panel having a connector mounted thereon. This connector interacts with a counter-connector that is either on an adjacent second processing module or on the container-processing installation.