Rotary Table Direct Drive Sealing System Dirt Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing container treatment machines with turntable direct drives face maintenance-intensive issues due to wear caused by penetrating dirt, particularly abrasive particles, which accumulate at the sealing rings and shaft, leading to increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A sealing system with a deflection surface that diverts penetrating dirt away from the contact area of the friction partners, combined with radial and axial sealing lips and a lubricant, reduces wear and tear by preventing dirt accumulation and minimizing friction, allowing for less frequent maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shaft sealing system with sealing rings is used to protect the turntable direct drive from dirt, then the direct drive is protected from contamination, but the sealing rings accumulate abrasive particles leading to increased wear and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dirtVSAvoidwear of sealing rings
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deflection surface that redirects the harmful abrasive particles (which would otherwise accumulate and cause wear) away from the sealing contact area. By deflecting the dirt flow, the system converts the harmful accumulation effect into a beneficial cleaning effect, reducing wear on sealing components while maintaining protection from contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection surface acts as an intermediary element between the dirty environment and the sealing system. It intercepts and redirects abrasive particles before they can reach the sealing rings, thereby protecting the sealing interface without compromising the protective function of the sealing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sealing rings are used to protect the direct drive, then contamination is prevented, but maintenance costs increase due to wear marks on the motor shaft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidmaintenance intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection surface transforms the harmful effect of abrasive particles into a beneficial outcome by redirecting them away from the sealing interface. This reduces wear on both the sealing rings and the motor shaft, thereby lowering maintenance requirements and costs while preserving contamination protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection surface performs a preliminary action by deflecting abrasive particles before they can reach and damage the sealing components. This preventive measure reduces wear accumulation over time, thereby extending maintenance intervals and reducing overall maintenance intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively reduces wear on the shaft and sealing lips, leading to lower maintenance requirements and cost savings by preventing dirt accumulation and minimizing friction, thus extending maintenance intervals.

Implementation Method 1

the deflection surface, which is designed to slope radially outwards from the contact area, so that penetrating dirt is discharged to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflection:

Implementation Method 2

A lubricant can be introduced between the two friction partners of the sealing system in order to reduce the friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3056777B1Machine for treating containers comprising a rotating disc direct drive
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 KRONES AG
  • EP3056777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3056777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3056777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Container treatment machine with at least one container holder comprising a rotary table (2) and a rotary table direct drive (1) for driving the rotary table (2), wherein the rotary table direct drive (1) comprises a motor (3) with a shaft (32) for transmitting the drive force of the motor (3) to the rotary table (2) and a sealing system (4, 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b) with at least two friction partners for sealing the shaft (32), characterized in that the sealing system (4, 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b) comprises a drainage surface for draining penetrating dirt from a contact area (K, K1, K2) of the two friction partners.