Twist-Lock Quick-Change Coupling for Play-Free Capping Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-change couplings for capping machines have sharp-edged undercuts and exposed springs, making cleaning difficult and the locking mechanism unreliable, with the risk of the tool holder detaching during operation, and require additional space for lateral removal.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change coupling design featuring a detachable connection between an outer and inner part that engages through telescoping and twisting, with resiliently prestressed locking pins and guide chamfers for secure torque and axial force transmission, eliminating the need for separate axial movement and reducing the risk of unintentional release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dovetail connection with exposed springs is used for quick-change coupling, then torque and axial force transmission is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult and the locking mechanism becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The springs are extracted from their exposed positions and integrated into recesses within the coupling body. This extraction eliminates the cleaning problems associated with exposed springs while maintaining the locking mechanism's reliability, as the springs remain functional but are now enclosed within the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pins are pre-loaded with spring force in a controlled manner within the recesses. This preliminary action ensures that the locking mechanism is always ready to engage reliably when the coupling components are assembled, while the enclosed springs prevent contamination and make cleaning easier.
2Ease of operation
If lateral removal space is provided for tool holder changes, then quick-change coupling functionality is enabled, but additional machine space is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring lateral movement for tool holder changes, the mechanism is inverted to use axial movement combined with rotational twisting. The tool holder is inserted axially, locked by twisting, and removed by reversing this sequence. This inversion eliminates the need for lateral access space while maintaining quick-change functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and unlocking mechanism transitions from lateral movement to a combination of axial and rotational movements. By adding the rotational dimension to the axial insertion/removal process, the design achieves secure locking without requiring lateral space, effectively using a different dimensional approach to solve the space constraint.
3Ease of operation
If separate axial movement is required between twisting and locking, then bayonet coupling mechanism is achieved, but axial play and unintentional release risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial movement and rotational locking actions are merged into a single integrated motion sequence. As the tool holder is inserted axially and twisted, the locking pins simultaneously engage with the locking surfaces. This merging eliminates the separate axial movement step, reducing the number of movement phases from two to one, thereby eliminating axial play and preventing unintentional release while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
Enables easy handling and cleaning, ensures reliable operation with unidirectional torque and axial force transmission without play, and eliminates the need for lateral access or additional space, providing a secure and stable connection.
Implementation Method 1
the outer part comprises locking pins that are resiliently prestressed inwards, and the inner part comprises first guide chamfers for the locking pins in order to press the locking pins outwards when they are pushed into one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A quick-change coupling (1, 31) for a container treatment machine (100), in particular capping machine, is described with an outer part (2) and an inner part (3) which engages in the outer part in an interlocking manner, between which parts torques (4) can be transmitted in a working direction of rotation (42) and axial forces (5) can be transmitted. Owing to the fact that outer part and inner part are connectable to each other by being pushed together and turned, the outer part comprises latching pins (6) which are prestressed resiliently inwards, and the inner part comprises first guide bevels (7) for the latching pins, in order to press the latter outwards when the parts are pushed together, and latching recesses (8, 36), into which the latching pins can latch in a non-rotatable and axially secured manner upon subsequent turning in the working direction of rotation, a simple connection/separation of the quick-change coupling is possible without a tool, as is reliable and play-free transmission of unidirectional torques and contact pressure forces.