T-Shaped Packing Machine Layout for Flexible Filling Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packing machines are inflexible and require significant modifications to adapt to different products, often have compact structures that complicate maintenance, and struggle with space constraints, especially when incorporating air filling modules.
Innovation Solution
A packing machine with a T-shaped arrangement of components, including a bag supply, filling module, and bag removal, where the filling module is positioned separately from the line, allowing for modular flexibility and easy integration of standard modules, along with a transfer device using gripper devices that can rotate and pivot to handle empty and full bags simultaneously, and a cleaning device that uses oscillating air jets for efficient bag closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the packing machine uses a compact and partially installed structure to reduce space requirements, then the space requirement is reduced, but the maintenance cost increases and accessibility for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The packing machine is divided into separate modules (bag supply module, filling module, bag removal module) that can be independently accessed and maintained. The filling module can be pulled out from the line to provide maintenance personnel with easy access to all components, while maintaining a compact overall footprint when in operating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling module is arranged in a T-shaped configuration, pulled out from the linear arrangement of bag supply and bag removal modules. This perpendicular arrangement allows maintenance personnel to access the filling module from the side without interfering with the linear flow of bags, providing easy maintenance access while keeping the machine compact.
2Area of stationary object
If the packing machine uses a very compact structure to minimize space requirements, then the space requirement is minimized, but the machine cannot be flexibly adapted to different products and maintenance becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The packing machine is segmented into independent modules that can be individually configured and adapted to different products. The filling module can be pulled out and reconfigured for different filling requirements, while the bag supply and removal modules remain in a fixed linear position, providing both compactness and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling module is designed to be movable, capable of being pulled out from the linear arrangement for maintenance and reconfiguration. This dynamic positioning allows the same compact structure to serve multiple functions: compact operation mode and expanded maintenance/adaptation mode.
3Device complexity
If the packing machine arranges all modules in a line to simplify the structure, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the filling module cannot be easily accessed for maintenance and air filling modules create space conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a symmetric linear arrangement where all modules are in a straight line, the filling module is positioned asymmetrically in a T-shaped configuration, pulled out perpendicular to the linear arrangement of bag supply and bag removal modules. This asymmetric positioning provides easy access to the filling module while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling module is moved from the one-dimensional linear arrangement into a two-dimensional T-shaped layout, allowing it to be accessed from the side without disrupting the linear flow of bags through the machine. This dimensional change simplifies the overall structure while improving maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A packing machine for filling product into bags including a bag supply, a filling module with a filling nozzle and a bag removal. In this case, the bag supply and the bag removal are arranged in a line and the filling module is arranged pulled out of the line. In a method for operating such a packing machine, a bag from the bag supply is fed out from the line to the filling module and after filling is guided back into the line and fed to the bag removal.