Rotating Friction Device for Replaceable Track Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container transport systems face challenges with secure and efficient attachment of track elements due to wear and vibrations, leading to increased downtimes and difficulty in cleaning, especially with glass containers that can cause damage and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A container transport system with a friction device that is rotatable between two positions, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and a tensioning device that generates torsional tension to prevent loosening, combined with a design that includes upper and lower track element planes and a friction device with spring elements for secure fixation and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a friction device is used to attach track elements to the support element, then quick and easy assembly and disassembly is enabled, but the connection becomes weakened by wear and vibrations during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device applies preliminary clamping force to the friction device before operation begins. This pre-tensioning ensures that the friction connection is established with sufficient force to withstand subsequent vibrations and wear during container transport, preventing loosening while maintaining easy assembly capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device changes the force parameter by applying a predetermined clamping force to the friction device. This force parameter adjustment ensures optimal friction contact pressure between the track element and support element, balancing ease of assembly with operational reliability under vibration and wear conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If track elements are designed to be interchangeable for different container types, then versatility is improved, but frequent changes lead to increased wear and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The track element is designed as a separable component with a friction device that can be quickly attached and detached from the support element. This segmentation allows different track elements to be rapidly exchanged for different container types without complex fastening procedures, reducing downtime while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The friction device with clamping mechanism is designed to be manually operable without additional tools, enabling operators to quickly replace track elements themselves. This self-service capability reduces downtime by eliminating the need for specialized tools or complex assembly procedures during track element changes
3Ease of operation
If the friction device is designed for easy manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but access in confined installation spaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The friction device is designed with a compact structure that can be accessed from multiple directions. The clamping mechanism allows operation from the lateral side of the track element, providing an alternative access dimension that facilitates manual operation even in confined installation spaces where direct top-down access is limited
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 enables quick and secure attachment of track elements, reduces wear-related issues, and facilitates easy cleaning, minimizing downtime and ensuring secure operation even under vibrations, while preventing glass splinters from causing damage.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping device generates a torsional stress on the friction body of the friction device in the direction of the first position
Implementation Method 2
a friction device having a friction body, rotatably mounted on the track element about an axis of rotation
Implementation Method 3
the clamping device comprises at least one spring element for generating or maintaining torsional tension
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a container transport system comprising the following: - a track element (1) which is secured to a support element (5) in a replaceable manner for guiding containers, comprising at least one upper and one lower track element plane (2, 3), - a friction device (6) which is mounted on the track element (1) in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (Z) between at least two positions and which has friction elements (12), wherein in a first position, the lower track element plane (3) is fixed to the support element (5) in the direction of the rotational axis (Z), and in a second position, the track element (1) can be removed from the support element (5) in the direction of the rotational axis (Z), and - a clamping device (23) for clamping the friction device (6), said clamping device (23) generating and/or maintaining a torsional stress and/or a torque on at least one friction element (12) of the friction device (6) using at least one spring element.