Tilting Device Locking Mechanism for Strapping Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tilting devices in strapping machines suffer from inefficient tension release, slippage between the control lever and locking gear, and slow response to user commands, often requiring double-toothed crowns which are inefficient and prone to degradation.
Innovation Solution
A control mechanism for the tilting device that eliminates the need for double-toothed crowns by using a locking device with a torsional spring and a control device with a transmission gear to ensure precise locking and unlocking of the external crown, reducing slippage and enhancing response speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lever system with toothed wheel and control lever is used for locking, then the tilting device can be controlled, but slippage occurs between the control lever and toothed wheel leading to irregular consumption and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lever-toothed wheel interaction with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets are embedded in the control lever that magnetically couple with ferromagnetic material in the toothed wheel, eliminating physical contact and slippage while maintaining locking functionality. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing reliable locking without the degradation issues of mechanical friction and slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interaction mechanism from mechanical friction-based contact to magnetic field-based coupling. By altering the fundamental parameter of interaction from physical contact to magnetic attraction, the system achieves both reliable locking and elimination of slippage, resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and operational smoothness.
2Reliability
If double-toothed crowns are used for locking the external crown, then locking can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex double-toothed crown structure by replacing it with a simpler magnetic locking mechanism. The internal and external toothing on the external crown are removed, leaving only the essential locking function achieved through magnetic coupling between the control lever and toothed wheel, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical double-toothed crown system is replaced with a magnetic coupling system. This substitution eliminates the need for intricate gear toothing while preserving the locking function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable locking and structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then locking can be achieved, but the response speed to user commands is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-component mechanical locking mechanism with a magnetic coupling system that responds instantaneously to user input. The magnetic field engagement eliminates mechanical play and friction delays, achieving both reliable locking and rapid response to user commands simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the locking function into independent magnetic coupling elements distributed around the toothed wheel. This segmentation allows for more precise and faster engagement compared to a single-point mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between reliable locking and fast response.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves the efficiency of tension release, reduces slippage, and increases the speed of the tilting device's response to user commands, while allowing for easier maintenance and integration with existing strapping machine components.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (6) configured to interact with the control device (5) and the external crown (22), the locking device (6) comprising a torsional spring (61)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
It is provided a control mechanism (1) for a tilting device (10) of strapping machine (100), comprising a epicyclic transmission (2) defining a main axis (2a) and comprising an internal crown (20), a plurality of intermediate gears (21) and an external crown (22), a pulling mechanism (3) operatively connected to the intermediate gears (21) to a tensioning roller (11) of the tilting device (10) in such a way as to transmit the movement of the internal gears (21) around to the main axis (2a) to the tensioning roller (11), a tensioning wheel (4) centered with respect to the main axis (2a) integrally constrained to the inner crown (20) and operatively connected to a tensioning assembly (101) of the strapping machine (100) in such a way as to transmit the movement of the tensioning wheel (4) imposed by the tensioning assembly (101) and by the internal crown (20), a locking device (6) operatively connected to the external crown (22) and with figured to achieve at least: a locking condition in which the locking device (6) and the external crown (22) are coupled in such a way as to create an integral constraint, an unlocking condition in which at least part of the locking device (6 ) and the external crown (22) are decoupled in such a way as to be movable independently, a control device (5) configured to interact with an actuation lever (102) of the strapping machine (100), operatively connected to the locking device (6) in such a way as to transmit at least part of the movement of the actuation lever (102) to the locking device (6), and defining at least one rest position and a first operating position in which the control device (5) has performed a first predetermined movement imposed by the operating lever (102), in which the locking device (6) includes: a ring (60) centered with respect to the main axis (2a) and integral with the external crown (22), and a torsional spring (61) constrained between a fixed point of the tilting device (10) and of the control device (5), centered with respect to the main axis (2a) and configured to tighten around the ring (60) to realize the lock condition or widen around the ring (60) in such a way as to realize the unlock condition.