Bottle Cleaning Plant With Single-Motor Cam Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottle cleaning plants require multiple motors for transport and cleaning, leading to high component and power consumption costs, and complex control systems for synchronization.

Innovation Solution

A bottle cleaning plant design utilizing a single motor to rotate a frame with integrated handling and cleaning mechanisms, synchronized by cams, minimizing components and power consumption while ensuring efficient bottle movement and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple motors are used for transport and cleaning movements, then each movement can be independently actuated, but the number of components and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent actuation of movementsVSAvoidnumber of motors and components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motors into a single motor that actuates a common drive shaft, which then drives multiple movement mechanisms (conveyor belt, bottle rotation, cleaning device) through mechanical linkages and cams. This merging reduces the number of motors from multiple to one, significantly lowering component count and power consumption while maintaining independent control of each movement through mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions by driving different mechanisms through the common drive shaft. The same motor power is transmitted to the conveyor belt, bottle rotation mechanisms, and cleaning device operation, making the motor a universal power source for all movements in the system.

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

2Ease of operation

If multiple motors are used for transport and cleaning movements, then each movement can be independently actuated, but the power supply requirements and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent actuation of movementsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple motors into a single motor that actuates a common drive shaft, which then drives multiple movement mechanisms (conveyor belt, bottle rotation, cleaning device) through mechanical linkages and cams. This merging reduces the number of motors from multiple to one, significantly lowering component count and power consumption while maintaining independent control of each movement through mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple motors are used for transport and cleaning movements, then each movement can be independently actuated, but complex control systems are required for synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent actuation of movementsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic control systems with mechanical synchronization mechanisms. Cams and mechanical linkages are used to automatically coordinate the timing and positioning of different movements (conveyor belt movement, bottle rotation, cleaning device activation) based on the rotation of the drive shaft, eliminating the need for complex electronic controllers and sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical linkages and cams act as intermediaries between the single motor and the various movement mechanisms. These mechanical intermediaries translate the rotational motion into coordinated movements of the conveyor belt, bottle rotation, and cleaning device, ensuring proper synchronization without electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a single motor is used to reduce components and power consumption, then component count and power usage are minimized, but movement synchronization becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of motorsVSAvoidmovement synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic control systems with mechanical synchronization mechanisms. Cams and mechanical linkages are used to automatically coordinate the timing and positioning of different movements (conveyor belt movement, bottle rotation, cleaning device activation) based on the rotation of the drive shaft, eliminating the need for complex electronic controllers and sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical linkages and cams act as intermediaries between the single motor and the various movement mechanisms. These mechanical intermediaries translate the rotational motion into coordinated movements of the conveyor belt, bottle rotation, and cleaning device, ensuring proper synchronization without electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 plant achieves efficient and quick bottle cleaning with reduced components and power usage, eliminating the need for complex control systems.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning device (5) is configured to blow air parallel to said central axis (3a) in a direction opposite to said base (2), i.e. upwards when the plant (1) is resting on the ground or floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir blowing:

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning device (5) is also configured to suction air in an opposite direction to the blowing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4644010A1Bottle cleaning plant
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 VIBROTECH SRL
  • EP4644010A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4644010A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4644010A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A bottle cleaning plant (1) is provided comprising a base (2) developing predominantly along a main plane (2a) and adapted to rest on a ground or floor; movement means (3) designed to move at least one bottle (10) along a predetermined path developing around a central axis (3a), to unload the bottle (10) onto an external conveyor (11), and including an annular frame (30) rotating with respect to the base (2), at least one handling assembly (31) integral with the frame (30) and comprising at least one grasping apparatus (4) including an arm (40) developing along a secondary axis (4a) radial to the central axis (3a) and loosely constrained to the frame (30), and a gripping portion (41) integral with the arm (40); at least one cleaning device (5) integral with the frame (30), placed at the handling assembly(31) and configured to blow air; wherein the base (2) comprises a first cam (20) interacting with the cleaning means (5) and configured to determine along a circular path (2b) at least a first section (20a) in which the cleaning means (5) are in the rest position and a second section (20b) in which the cleaning means (5) are in the use position; a second cam (21) interacting with the arm (40) and configured to determine at least a first area (21a) in which the arm (40) is in the retracted position, and a second area (21b) at least partially overlapping the second section (20b) in which the arm (40) is in the extracted position; and wherein the plant (1) comprises a single motor (6) configured to rotate the frame (30) to determine the totality of the positions.