Synchronized Gripping Mechanism for Package Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current container transportation systems are limited in terms of operating speed, particularly when rotating containers are required for efficient stacking, leading to reduced packaging speed and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a first transport device and a rotating mechanism with synchronized gripping devices that rotate containers by a predetermined angle, allowing for increased transport speed by temporarily moving the gripping devices in the transport direction and perpendicular to it, ensuring precise container rotation and synchronization with the transport speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating device is used to rotate containers during transport, then container rotation capability is improved, but transport speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer rotation capabilityVSAvoidtransport speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device is made dynamically movable in the transport direction during the rotation process. The gripping device can move forward in the transport direction while rotating the container, rather than being fixed in position. This dynamic movement capability allows the rotation operation to occur without stopping the overall transport flow, thereby maintaining high transport speed while achieving container rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping device is given movement capability in multiple dimensions: it can move in the transport direction (horizontal dimension) while also performing rotation (rotational dimension). This multi-dimensional movement freedom allows the device to rotate containers without sacrificing transport speed, as the rotation occurs simultaneously with forward movement rather than requiring a separate stationary rotation step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rotating devices are used, then container rotation is achieved, but packaging speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer rotation functionVSAvoidpackaging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device maintains continuous useful action by moving forward in the transport direction while simultaneously rotating the container. This continuous forward movement ensures that the packaging process does not experience interruptions or speed reductions, as the rotation operation is integrated into the continuous transport flow rather than being a separate batch operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping device's dynamic movement capability allows it to perform rotation operations while maintaining the overall packaging speed. The device can adjust its movement in the transport direction to match the packaging line speed, ensuring that rotation operations do not become bottlenecks that reduce overall packaging productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If gripping devices move in transport direction during rotation, then transport speed is increased, but synchronization control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport speedVSAvoidsynchronization control system
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses feedback from sensors that detect the position and movement of the gripping device to automatically adjust and synchronize its speed with the transport device. This closed-loop feedback control ensures that the gripping device moves at the correct speed in the transport direction while rotating, maintaining synchronization without requiring overly complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping device's movement in the transport direction is automatically synchronized with the transport device through the control system, which manages the speed coordination without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates the synchronization, reducing the operational complexity despite the increased speed capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2185448B1Apparatus for conveying packages
Publication Date: 2013.11.27 KRONES AG
  • EP2185448B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2185448B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus (1) for conveying packages (10), comprising a first conveying device (4) that conveys the packages (10) in a predefined direction of travel (r) and a rotating device (6) which rotates at least some of the packages (10) by a predefined angle of rotation relative to a predefined axis of rotation. The rotating device (6) is equipped with at least one gripping mechanism (12) that grips the packages (10) for the rotating process. According to the invention, the conveying speed of the first conveying device (4) is synchronized with a moving speed of the gripping mechanism (12).