Rotary Wrapping Machine Inductive Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary wrapping machines face issues with complex and costly mechanical drives, high maintenance needs, and inefficiencies in powering rotating units, particularly when dealing with film unwinding and tensioning mechanisms, which restrict the size of packets that can be processed.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping machine design that uses a power supply antenna along a closed path to transfer electric power to a receiver on the rotating dispensing unit via electrical induction, eliminating the need for mechanical connections and providing a reliable, low-maintenance power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a stationary electric motor with mechanical drive (gearwheels, belts, chains) is used to power the rotating head, then mechanical energy can be transferred to the head, but the system becomes complex, requires constant maintenance, creates large inertia, and has poor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the stationary electric motor with mechanical drive system (gearwheels, belts, chains) with a linear electric motor system. The linear motor consists of a stator fixed to the carriage and a rotor fixed to the annular rail, eliminating complex mechanical transmission components while directly providing the necessary mechanical motion and power to the rotating head.
2Use of energy by moving object
If sliding contacts are used to power the rotating unit, then electric power can be supplied, but the system suffers from considerable wear and high maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates sliding contacts entirely by using a linear electric motor system where power is supplied to the stationary stator from the machine's electrical supply, and the rotor on the moving carriage generates the necessary mechanical motion without requiring sliding electrical contacts.
3Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are mounted on the rotating unit for power supply, then the unit can operate independently, but the system increases in volume and inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces battery-powered independent power supply with a linear electric motor system connected to the machine's electrical supply, eliminating the need for heavy batteries and reducing the weight and inertia of the moving components.
4Power
If a mechanical drive system is used, then power can be transmitted to the rotating head, but the system is subject to wear and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive system (gearwheels, belts, chains) with a linear electric motor system that directly converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, eliminating mechanical transmission components that are subject to wear and malfunctions.
5Speed
If a mechanical system is used for driving the head, then rotation can be achieved, but it is not possible to manage complex unwinding mechanisms with film pre-stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a linear electric motor system that provides dynamic and flexible control of the rotating head's motion, enabling precise management of complex unwinding mechanisms, film pre-stretching, and tensioning operations that require variable speed and position control.
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 reduces the complexity and cost of the machine, allows for more flexible packaging options, and enhances the efficiency and reliability of the power supply to the rotating unit, enabling faster packaging with reduced inertia and maintenance requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply antenna is present along said closed path and is connected to an antenna power supply unit for transferring, by means of electrical induction, electric power to a corresponding receiver which is movable along the antenna together with the said dispensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary wrapping machine (30, 110) for packaging products by means of a film unwound from a reel comprises a frame (13, 113) carrying a dispensing unit (19, 119) which is electrically controlled to dispense the packaging film from a reel of film present in the dispensing unit (19, 119). The dispensing unit is supported on the frame so as to be driven rotationally along a closed path around a packaging zone (38, 138) which contains a product to be wrapped with the film. Along the closed path there is a power supply antenna (25, 125) which is connected to an antenna power supply unit (26, 126) for transferring, by means of electrical induction, electric power to a corresponding receiver (28, 128) which is movable along the antenna together with the said dispensing unit and which supplies in turn electric power to the dispensing unit.