Three-Part Switch Device for Star Wheel Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical switch devices for transfer points between rotatable star wheels have high inertia, limiting throughput due to the need for large object distances and low rotational speeds, making them inefficient and costly, especially in environments where vacuum switches cannot be used due to contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A three-part switch device with two-walled first and second switch elements that are displaceable between positions, allowing for sequential transfer of objects between star wheels, enabling higher rotational speeds and smaller object distances by coordinating the movement of switch elements to reduce the time between object transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece pivoting guide element is used to prevent object tilting, then object guidance reliability is improved, but the switch function has high inertia and requires large object distances, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is divided into multiple separate guide sections (first, second, third guide sections) instead of using a single one-piece pivoting element. Each guide section can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the system to maintain reliable object guidance while reducing the overall length and inertia of the switching mechanism, thereby enabling higher throughput
2Reliability
If a long guide element is used to ensure adequate object guidance, then object tilting is prevented, but the minimum distance between objects increases, reducing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is segmented into multiple independent guide sections that can be positioned closer together. This segmentation allows adequate guidance stability to be maintained over a shorter total length, enabling smaller object distances and higher system efficiency
3Reliability
If vacuum switches are used for reliable switching, then switching reliability is improved, but contamination risk increases in clean room environments
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum-based switching system is replaced with a purely mechanical switching mechanism consisting of guide sections that physically redirect objects. This mechanical system eliminates the need for vacuum pumps, hoses, and valves, thereby maintaining switching reliability while eliminating contamination risks in clean room environments
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a diverter device for a transition point (C) which is located between a first and a second rotatable star wheel (20, 30) and at which objects (B1 – B8) can be passed on selectively from the first star wheel (20) to the second star wheel (30), comprising a two-walled first diverter element (52), of which the first and second walls (52a, 52b) extend around the transition point (C) to form a through-passage for the objects (B1 – B8) between them; wherein the first diverter element (52) is retained in a displaceable manner between a first position and a second position, wherein objects (B1 – B8) coming into the through-passage of the first diverter element (52) in the first position remain on the first star wheel (20) and objects (B1 – B8) which are incoming in the second position are passed on to the second star wheel (30); a second and a third diverter element (54, 56), which are arranged and retained such that, in the first position and the second position of the first diverter element (52), they each form extensions of the first and second walls (52a, 52b), respectively, of the first diverter element (52) and, for this purpose, can likewise each be displaced between a respective first and second position; and a transfer device, which is designed to perform the transfer of the first to third diverter elements (52 - 56), the transfer from the respective first position into the respective second position being achieved such that first of all transfer of the first and third diverter elements (52, 56) is initiated and then transfer of the second diverter element (54) is initiated; and the transfer from the respective second position into the respective first position being achieved such that first of all transfer of the first and second diverter elements (52, 54) is initiated and then transfer of the third diverter element (56) is initiated.