Rotating Guide Elements for Bottle Transfer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transfer stations in container treatment machines, such as bottle cleaning machines, face issues with jostling and noise due to rigid movements and inadequate guidance of bottles, leading to feeding problems and bottle instability during transfer between conveyors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of rotating guide elements that can be driven in different directions and adjusted for speed, acting on the outer casing of bottles to facilitate a sliding or rolling threading movement, reducing jostling and noise by optimizing the guidance and positioning of bottles into feed paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stationary transfer plate is used to connect conveying levels, then the transfer structure is simple, but sliding disturbances occur and bottles jostle during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the stationary transfer plate with a rotating pusher element that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. The pusher element rotates about a vertical axis and can be positioned at different angular positions to optimally guide bottles from the feed conveyor into the feed paths, eliminating the rigid cross-shaped movement and reducing jostling effects
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating pusher element acts as an intermediary between the feed conveyor and the feed paths. It receives bottles from the conveyor and gradually guides them into the feed paths through controlled rotation, rather than directly transferring bottles which causes jostling. The pusher element's curved surface and adjustable position allow it to mediate the transfer smoothly
2Device complexity
If rigid cross-shaped movements are used in transfer elements, then the mechanism is simple, but noise and jostling effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher element is designed to rotate about a vertical axis rather than move in rigid cross-shaped patterns. This rotational movement allows the pusher to gradually guide bottles into feed paths, reducing impact forces and jostling effects that generate noise. The dynamic adjustment of the pusher's angular position enables smooth bottle transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the movement parameters from rigid linear/cross-shaped trajectories to rotational motion with adjustable angular position. The pusher element can be positioned at different angles and rotate through controlled arcs, changing the kinematic parameters of bottle transfer to minimize impact and noise while maintaining transfer efficiency
3Productivity
If bottles are pushed over each other on a stationary plate, then the transfer process is continuous, but feeding problems and bottle instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating pusher element dynamically adjusts its position to maintain optimal bottle spacing and guidance during transfer. By rotating to different angular positions, the pusher can accommodate continuous bottle flow from the conveyor while simultaneously guiding each bottle accurately into its designated feed path, preventing instability and feeding problems
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher element serves as a mediating mechanism between the continuous bottle supply from the conveyor and the discrete feed paths. It receives bottles continuously and gradually directs them into individual feed paths one by one, maintaining transfer continuity while ensuring each bottle is properly positioned and stable in its destination
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 effectively reduces jostling and noise, ensuring a smooth and targeted introduction of bottles into the feed paths, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the transfer process while minimizing bottle instability and noise.
Implementation Method 1
the bottles are fed into the feed tracks with a sliding, guiding or also rolling threading movement
Implementation Method 2
rotating guide elements that can be driven in different directions and adjusted for speed, acting on the outer casing of bottles to facilitate a sliding or rolling threading movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
Transfer station has position adapters are perpendicularly aligned in inlet direction against front side of intermediate bar and can be laid against the container casing. The position adapter is implemented as rotation elements (14) arranged perpendicularly in supply direction against the front sides of the intermediate bar. INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for method for conveying a container.