Screw Conveyor Container Orientation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for orienting containers between vertical and horizontal orientations are inefficient and costly, leading to slowdowns in the assembly line process and suboptimal transportation of containers prone to tipping.
Innovation Solution
A screw conveyor system with a helix around a shaft, accompanied by guide bars and rails, is used to rotate containers from horizontal to vertical and back to horizontal orientations, ensuring stable transition and efficient flow through filling and sealing stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are transported in horizontal orientation, then transportation efficiency is improved, but filling operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes container orientation from horizontal during transportation to vertical during filling operations. Screw conveyors in the infeed section rotate containers 90 degrees to vertical orientation before they enter the filling station, ensuring the opening faces upward for efficient filling. After filling, outfeed screw conveyors rotate them back to horizontal orientation for stable transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is divided into distinct functional sections: infeed screw conveyors for horizontal-to-vertical rotation, filling station for vertical processing, and outfeed screw conveyors for vertical-to-horizontal rotation. Each section handles a specific orientation requirement, allowing both efficient transportation and easy filling operations.
2Ease of operation
If containers are transported in vertical orientation, then filling operation is simplified, but containers are prone to tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains container stability by dynamically switching orientation based on operational phase. During transportation phases, containers are kept horizontal for stability. During filling phase, they are rotated to vertical orientation where the opening faces upward, eliminating tipping risk while simplifying the filling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Screw conveyors act as intermediary devices that safely transition containers between horizontal and vertical orientations. The inclined surfaces and guide mechanisms of the screw conveyors control the rotation process, ensuring containers remain stable throughout the transition and in both orientation states.
3Device complexity
If conventional orientation systems are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but assembly line speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyors serve multiple functions: they transport containers horizontally, rotate them to vertical orientation, position them for filling, and later rotate them back to horizontal for outfeed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate orientation mechanisms, maintaining equipment simplicity while significantly improving assembly line speed and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges transportation and orientation functions into a single integrated screw conveyor mechanism. Rather than using separate conveyors for horizontal transport and separate mechanisms for vertical rotation, the screw conveyors perform both functions simultaneously, simplifying the overall equipment while enhancing productivity.
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 system enables efficient and stable orientation of containers, improving the assembly line process by preventing tipping and reducing equipment costs, while maintaining smooth downstream flow and effective filling and sealing operations.
Implementation Method 1
A screw or auger-shaped conveyor, having a helix around a shaft... is used to engage the containers and urge them in the downstream flow direction and into rotation around the axis of the screw conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
An improved container transportation and filling system and method is provided. The system can deliver cartridges and other containers, such as tubes, in a horizontal orientation. The containers can have a closed bottom end and an open top end. A screw conveyor(s) is used to engage the containers and urge them forward and into rotation around the axis of the screw conveyor, from horizontal to vertical. A guide engages an end of the containers. The guide acts as a camming surface and guides the end of the container downward as it is advanced by the screw conveyor, to orient the container vertically for filling, capping and sealing. A second mirror image downstream screw conveyor and guide can reorient the container from vertical to horizontal.