Servo-Driven Cam Disk for High-Speed Product Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed packaging machines face challenges in detecting and ejecting defective products within a work cycle without disrupting the flow of preceding or following products, especially at speeds exceeding 1,600 cycles per minute.
Innovation Solution
A product holding device with a control device that utilizes a cam disk driven by a servomotor to control the opening and closing of clamping jaws, combined with centrifugal force and additional mechanical or pneumatic forces, allows for precise and rapid ejection of products within a tenth of a second by integrating a feeler roller and control roller mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed packaging operations are maintained (1600+ cycles per minute), then productivity is improved, but the ability to detect and eject defective products within a work cycle deteriorates due to insufficient time availability
Solution Approach 1:
The control cam is pre-positioned on the cam disk at a location that will be reached by the feeler roller at a predetermined moment during the work cycle. When a defective product is detected, the control cam is already in position to immediately initiate the ejection sequence, eliminating delays in response time
Solution Approach 2:
The cam disk is made rotatable relative to the cam follower (feeler roller) through a servo mechanism, allowing the control cam to be dynamically repositioned into the feeler roller's path of movement. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to respond to defective products at high speeds while maintaining precise control over the ejection timing
2Loss of time
If product ejection is performed within a fraction of a second, then defective product removal is improved, but the complexity of the control mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam disk rotation is synchronized with the periodic work cycle of the packaging machine, creating a predictable and repeating pattern of control cam engagement. This periodic action allows the complex control function to be achieved through simple, repeating mechanical cycles rather than complex continuous control
Solution Approach 2:
The cam disk serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates the detection signal into mechanical ejection action. Rather than directly controlling the ejection mechanism, the system uses the cam disk and control cam as intermediate elements to bridge the detection and ejection functions, simplifying the overall control architecture
3Measurement precision
If a control cam is brought into the path of movement of a feeler roller for product ejection, then ejection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam disk structure serves multiple functions: it holds the control cam for ejection, maintains synchronization with the work cycle, and provides the mechanical linkage for actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, offsetting the complexity of the cam mechanism itself
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
Enables the sorting out of individual products in a pulsed manner within a fraction of a second, ensuring high product quality and preventing defective products from entering subsequent packaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cam disk (10) driven by a servomotor (15)
Implementation Method 2
a product is ejected from a continuous product stream using the centrifugal force of a revolving rotary head
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for product holding devices, in particular for a packaging machine for packaging small products, such as small confectionery, with a rotating head (1) with a plurality of clamping units (3) rotating with it, wherein each clamping unit (3) has a pair of clamping jaws (4) and at least one control roller (7) in contact with a first control cam (9) for an opening and closing movement of the pair of clamping jaws (4), wherein a further device (13, 16, 18) is provided for initiating an arbitrary opening movement of the pair of clamping jaws (4).