Rotary Machine Transfer Arm Tilting Axis to Reduce Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary machines for processing containers face challenges in performing multiple processes in parallel while minimizing space consumption and preventing liquid spillage during transfer, especially when filling containers with liquids, leading to reduced throughput and increased space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A rotary machine design featuring a main axis with first and second stations rotating around it, where first stations are dedicated to filling and second stations to subsequent processes, utilizing a transfer arm to move containers between these stations, and tilting the first station axis to mitigate centrifugal forces, allowing parallel processing and reducing spillage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If filling and closing processes are performed on the same wheel, then liquid spillage is reduced by immediate closing after filling, but the number of stations is reduced and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into two separate wheels: a first wheel dedicated to filling operations and a second wheel dedicated to closing operations. This segmentation allows each wheel to be optimized for its specific function, with multiple stations on each wheel capable of performing the respective operation simultaneously on different containers, thereby maintaining high throughput while preventing liquid spillage through immediate closing after filling.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer device acts as an intermediary between the first wheel (filling) and the second wheel (closing). This transfer device receives containers from the first wheel at the internal exit position and delivers them to the second wheel at the internal entry position, enabling seamless transition between filling and closing operations without interrupting the continuous rotation and processing flow.
2Productivity
If multiple processes are performed in parallel on different wheels, then throughput is improved, but space consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the filling and closing operations into a single integrated rotary machine structure with two co-rotating wheels sharing a common axis. This combining approach allows multiple filling stations and multiple closing stations to operate in parallel simultaneously, achieving high throughput while minimizing the overall space required compared to separate machines for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device utilizes three-dimensional space by moving containers axially between the first and second wheels while maintaining rotational motion. This dimensional approach allows the transfer to occur within the compact rotary structure without requiring additional linear space, enabling parallel processing while keeping the machine footprint minimized.
3Productivity
If containers are transferred between stations while rotating, then continuous processing is maintained, but liquid spillage occurs due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is positioned and configured in advance to receive containers from the first wheel at the internal exit position and deliver them to the second wheel at the internal entry position during the rotation cycle. This preliminary positioning ensures that containers are transferred while the system is in continuous motion, maintaining productivity while the transfer mechanism is designed to minimize liquid spillage through controlled movement and proper container orientation.
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 design enables efficient parallel processing of containers, reduces space requirements, and effectively prevents liquid spillage during transfer, maintaining high throughput and simplifying the mechanical structure of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
tilting the first station axis to mitigate centrifugal forces
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary machine includes a main axis, a plurality of first stations and a plurality of second stations. Each first station rotates around the main axis and applies a first process to a container. Each second station rotates around the main axis and applies a second process to a processed container. The machine also includes an internal exit position, at which each first station is located once the first station has completed the first process and that is arranged to release the processed container. At an internal entry position, each second station is arranged to receive the released processed container. At least one transfer arm is adapted to seize a processed container and move the processed container between a first station located at the internal exit position and a second station located at the internal entry position.