Switchable Gripper Mechanism for Bottle Carrier Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing article carrier apparatus requires a large number of man-hours to switch carrier paths, especially when transitioning between different types of plastic bottles in a beverage production line, as it lacks efficient mechanisms for switching between multiple carrier paths without interfering with grippers.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a switching mechanism for grippers on supply wheels to alternate between use and retracted states, allowing for synchronized rotation of wheels and gripper states to prevent interference during transfers, enabling efficient switching between carrier paths for different types of plastic bottles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate carrier path is provided for transferring articles from the supply wheel to the receiving wheel, then the article transfer function is improved, but the time required to switch carrier paths increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is made dynamically adjustable between two positions: extended to engage with the article on the supply wheel and retracted to avoid interference. This dynamic positioning enables the same carrier path to serve multiple functions by switching the gripper state, eliminating the need for separate carrier paths and reducing switching time.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier path is designed to be universal by incorporating a switchable gripper that can operate in different modes. The same physical path can transfer articles from the supply wheel when the gripper is extended, or allow passage from the receiving wheel when the gripper is retracted, making the system more versatile and reducing the need for dedicated separate paths.
2Productivity
If the gripper is extended to transfer the article from the supply wheel, then the article transfer function is improved, but the gripper interferes with the article held by the receiving wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper position is dynamically changed based on the operational requirement. When transferring an article from the supply wheel, the gripper is extended to engage the article. When the receiving wheel needs to pass its article through, the gripper is retracted to avoid interference. This dynamic adjustment resolves the conflict between transfer efficiency and interference prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper is retracted in advance before the receiving wheel's article approaches the transfer position. This preliminary action prevents potential interference before it occurs, ensuring smooth operation when the receiving wheel needs to pass its article through the carrier path.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the gripper is retracted to avoid interfering with the article from the second supply wheel, then the interference problem is solved, but the article transfer function from the first supply wheel is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper position is dynamically adjusted based on which supply wheel is actively transferring an article. When the first supply wheel is transferring, the gripper is extended to engage the article. When the second supply wheel is transferring, the gripper is retracted to avoid interference. This dynamic control enables both transfer functions to operate simultaneously without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that one supply wheel can always transfer its article while the other supply wheel prepares its article for transfer. The gripper switches between extended and retracted states to enable this continuous operation, preventing idle time and maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An article carrier includes a first supply wheel adjacent to a receiving wheel and a second supply wheel provided on the upstream side in the rotating direction of the receiving wheel from the first supply wheel. A switching device for switching a gripper of the first supply wheel between a use state so as to transfer a plastic bottle to a gripper of the receiving wheel and a retracted state so as not to interfere with the plastic bottle held by the gripper of the receiving wheel is also provided. When a first carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the use state, and when a second carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the retracted state.