Spoked Wheel Container Rotation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for rotating containers on conveyors are complex, difficult to clean, and require a drive mechanism, limiting their service life and efficiency, especially for containers with a rectangular base area that need rotation about their vertical axis.
Innovation Solution
A non-driven open spoked wheel with a rotary mount that converts translational movement into rotational movement, utilizing ramp sections and rolling elements to lift and rotate containers, allowing for easy cleaning and high-pressure washing without an electric drive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driven spoked wheel with electric motor is used to rotate containers, then the rotation function is reliable, but the device complexity increases and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electric drive mechanism from the spoked wheel, extracting the complicating factor (motor, gears, controls) while retaining the essential rotation function. The spoked wheel becomes a passive element that rotates solely under container impact, eliminating maintenance and cleaning issues associated with electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The container itself serves as the drive mechanism by impacting the spoked wheel arms. The system uses the container's own motion and weight to initiate and sustain rotation, eliminating the need for external power sources and complex control systems.
2Device complexity
If a non-driven spoked wheel is used to rotate containers, then the device is simple and easy to clean, but the rotation reliability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container's own translational motion on the conveyor serves as the driving force. As containers move along the conveyor, they automatically impact the spoked wheel arms, converting their linear motion into rotational motion without requiring external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoked wheel transitions from a static structure to a dynamic rotating element through the intermittent impact forces from containers. The system adapts its motion state based on container arrival, automatically rotating when needed and remaining stationary when no containers are present.
3Device complexity
If the spoked wheel rotates at constant height, then the structure is simple, but the container rotation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spoked wheel's height is made dynamic through the ramp mechanism. As the wheel rotates, ramps sequentially lift it to different elevations, creating a varying height profile that enhances container engagement and rotation efficiency without adding complex actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoked wheel undergoes periodic height variations during each rotation cycle. The ramps create a rhythmic lift-and-release pattern that synchronizes with container arrival, optimizing the rotation process through repeated cyclic motion.
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 enables simple, efficient, and durable rotation of containers with a long service life, as the spoked wheel is easy to clean and operates without a drive, facilitating the rotation of multiple containers by converting conveyor impulse into rotational movement.
Implementation Method 1
the spoked wheel has rolling elements that can be set up on the ramp sections in its hub area
Implementation Method 2
The rolling elements provided, in particular wheels, reduce the effects of friction
Implementation Method 3
A conveyed container strikes and moves an arm of the spoked wheel. This movement translates into a rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a device for rotating containers (6, 6', 6'', 6''`) standing on a conveyor (2) about a vertical axis, comprising support elements that can be attached to at least one container, the support elements are arms (9, 9') of an open spoked wheel (8) that is associated with the conveyor on a vertical axis and has a rotating mount that increases its height incrementally as the spoked wheel rotates. This device enables the containers to be rotated in a simple structural manner, has a long service life, and is easy to clean.