Synchronous Detection Device for Conveyor Container Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for bottle processing, particularly rotary carousels, are complicated by multiple sensors and brackets, leading to increased dimensions, maintenance difficulties, and higher costs due to the need for numerous detection sensors, especially in large systems.
Innovation Solution
A detection device with a single support structure fixed to a stationary point, using a single sensor that moves synchronously with the conveyor to detect container features, reducing the number of sensors and structural complexity, and allowing easier access to internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and brackets are mounted on the carousel to detect bottle spots at each plate, then the detection function is ensured, but the structure becomes more complex and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors that were previously distributed around the carousel are merged into a single sensor. This single sensor is positioned to detect bottle spots at multiple plates sequentially as they pass by, consolidating what was previously a distributed sensor network into one centralized detection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions that were previously handled by separate sensors. It detects bottle spots at different plates during different rotation positions, making it a universal detection device that replaces multiple specialized sensors.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and brackets are distributed around the carousel, then detection coverage is improved, but access to internal components for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from the distributed brackets around the carousel and concentrated at a single location. This removes the physical obstructions (brackets and sensors) from multiple positions, clearing access paths to internal components while maintaining detection capability through the single sensor positioned at one location.
3Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors are used in large carousels with many stations, then detection accuracy is maintained, but cost increases due to sensor and support structure expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The detection resources are merged from multiple expensive sensors into a single sensor. By positioning this single sensor to serve multiple plates during carousel rotation, the system achieves the same overall detection accuracy with significantly reduced hardware costs and support structure requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a device for detecting containers (2) moving along a feed path (A) of a conveyor (3), comprising a support structure (11) and at least one detection sensor (15) connected to the support structure (11) and mobile with respect to the support structure. The device (1) also comprises means (16) for synchronising the sensor (15) with respect to the container (2), to move it in such a way that the sensor (15) follows the container (2) along at least one part of the feed path (A) from an initial position to a final position. Described is also a method for detecting containers (2) moving along a feed path (A) of a conveyor (3), comprising the operating steps of providing a sensor (15) and moving it from an initial position to a final position in a way which is synchronised with the movement of a container (2).