Screw Conveyor Device for Safe Container Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screw conveyor devices for cylindrical containers, especially small and tall ones, risk damage during transfer due to inadequate support, leading to costly and space-intensive solutions with multiple rotating formats.

Innovation Solution

A screw conveyor device with two inlet screws, each with distinct flight areas and a transfer area, ensures safe and damage-free conveyance by immersing containers deeply within the screw flights, reducing the risk of falling, and featuring a compact design with interchangeable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single discharge screw is used after a turntable, then the device structure is simple, but containers can be damaged during transfer or fall over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor device structureVSAvoidcontainer safety during transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single discharge screw is divided into two separate inlet screws (first and second inlet screws) with distinct flight areas. This segmentation allows containers to be handled more gently during transfer, reducing damage risk while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of two coordinated screws rather than a complex multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transfer area is introduced as an intermediary zone between the two inlet screws. This transfer area serves as a mediator that facilitates smooth container transfer from one screw to the other, preventing direct impact and reducing the risk of containers falling over during the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a large number of rotating format systems are provided to prevent container damage, then container safety is improved, but the conveyor device becomes very expensive and requires a large amount of space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer safety during transferVSAvoidconveyor device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functions of multiple rotating format systems are merged into a single integrated conveyor device with two inlet screws and a transfer area. This combination achieves the same container protection function as multiple separate systems but with a much simpler, more compact structure that reduces both cost and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor device with two inlet screws and a transfer area performs multiple functions: it conveys containers, protects them from damage, and facilitates smooth transfer all within a single device structure. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized rotating format systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If flight depth is increased to completely immerse containers in screw flights, then container stability is improved, but the screw conveyor device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stability during conveyanceVSAvoidscrew conveyor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different flight depths are applied locally to different inlet screws and flight areas based on specific needs. The first and second inlet screws can have different flight depth configurations optimized for their respective functions, allowing container stability to be improved without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for safe and efficient conveyance of small or tall containers without damage, occupying minimal space and being cost-effective, while maintaining flexibility for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

The screw conveyor device comprises a first and a second inlet screw... A transfer area is also provided, at which the containers conveyed by the second infeed screw are transferred to the first infeed screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The first inlet screw has a first and a second flight area, with a first flight being formed in the first and second flight area... The second inlet screw has a third and a fourth flight area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Data Source

PatentEP2462039B1Screw conveyor device
Publication Date: 2013.06.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2462039B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2462039B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2462039B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a screw feeder device for delivering containers (9), comprising a first inlet screw (2) having a first channel region (3) and a second channel region (4), wherein a first channel (30) is implemented in the first channel region (3) and the first channel (30) and a second channel (40) are implemented in the second channel region (4), a second inlet screw (5) having a third channel region (6) and a fourth channel region (7), wherein a third channel (60) is implemented in the third channel region (6) and a fourth channel (70) is implemented in the fourth channel region (7), and a transition region (8), at which the containers (9) are transferred from the second inlet screw (5) to the second channel (4) of the first inlet screw (2), so that the first inlet screw (2) delivers all the containers from the first and second inlet screw in the second channel region (4).