Stationary Spiral Buffer for Oriented Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transporting and storing oriented screw caps or closures, particularly in high-speed production lines, face challenges in maintaining continuous supply and orientation during intermediate storage, which is crucial for uninterrupted processing and high-speed operations.
Innovation Solution
A buffer system with a rotatable turntable and a stationary Archimedean spiral storage path, where the spiral is non-contact and adjustable, combined with a directed gas flow to ensure smooth and continuous transport of oriented objects, preventing shocks and abrasion, and maintaining object orientation and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a rotating buffer storage device with a spirally shaped barrier is used, then intermediate storage capacity is improved, but the oriented movement and guidance of objects is worsened due to rotation-induced shocks and orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into a rotating turntable for providing storage capacity and a stationary spiral for maintaining orientation stability. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary spiral acts as an intermediary element between the rotating turntable and the objects to be stored. It guides the objects along a fixed path, mediating the interaction between the rotating storage mechanism and the oriented objects, thereby preventing rotation-induced orientation changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If a stationary vibrating spiral track is used, then object separation is improved, but continuous intermediate storage with maintained orientation is worsened due to vibration and lack of continuous flow
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical vibration system is replaced with a stationary spiral guidance system combined with a rotating turntable. This substitution eliminates vibration while maintaining object separation through the stationary spiral's geometric design and enables continuous storage through the rotating turntable's continuous motion.
3Ease of operation
If the spiral storage path contacts the rotating turntable, then object guidance is improved, but abrasion and braking effects worsen, reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary spiral serves as an intermediary guidance structure that does not contact the rotating turntable. It provides object guidance through its geometric shape while maintaining a gap that prevents direct contact, thereby eliminating abrasion and braking effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact function is extracted from the rotating turntable and assigned to the stationary spiral. This separation allows the turntable to rotate freely without contact-induced wear and braking, while the stationary spiral provides the necessary guidance through its fixed geometric structure.
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
This solution ensures continuous and efficient supply of oriented screw caps to processing machines, maintaining high processing speeds by minimizing orientation changes and ensuring uninterrupted flow even when the buffer is nearly empty, while avoiding shocks and abrasion, thus preventing damage and maintaining product quality.
Implementation Method 1
Because of the lack of contact with the turntable, there is no abrasion on the spiral or the turntable
Implementation Method 2
The spiral storage path allows for optimal utilization of a circular area for the intermediate storage of objects
Implementation Method 3
The directed gas flow provides a second propulsion means for the objects, which, together with the rotating turntable, ensures sufficient object pressure at the object outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a temporary store (1) for separated and oriented objects (2), comprising an object inlet (3), a rotatable turntable (4), a spiral storage path (5), and an object outlet (6), wherein the object inlet (3) is arranged at the spiral origin (7) and the object outlet (6) is arranged at the spiral end (8), characterized in that the spiral storage path (5) has a spiral (9), which is arranged fixedly above the turntable (4) and without contact with the turntable.