Vacuum Chamber Lid Spring Circuit for Breakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum chamber machines with motor-driven chamber lids are unable to detect spring breakages effectively, leading to reduced safety as the lid may not come to a stop in time during protective frame activation, potentially causing injuries due to increased kinetic energy and reduced support.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a system where each spring is connected to a control via an electrical circuit, allowing for detection of spring breaks by monitoring changes in current or voltage, ensuring safe shutdown of the chamber lid movement and preventing injuries by disabling the drive if a spring break is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple springs are used to support the motorized chamber lid drive, then the weight of the chamber lid can be effectively supported, but the ability to detect spring breakages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is given dual functionality: it provides mechanical support force to counterbalance the chamber lid weight, and simultaneously serves as an electrical conductor for breakage detection. By integrating the electrical circuit function into the spring structure itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate detection mechanisms while maintaining support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that transmits both mechanical force and electrical signals. The electrical circuit uses the spring as a mediator to detect breaks, allowing the system to monitor spring integrity without adding separate sensors or detection devices that would increase complexity.
2Productivity
If the chamber lid is made very large to increase processing capacity, then productivity is improved, but the weight increases requiring more springs and reducing detectability of spring failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: supporting the increased weight of larger chamber lids and providing electrical continuity for breakage detection. This multi-functional design allows large chamber lids to be safely operated with integrated monitoring of spring integrity.
3Device complexity
If manual opening and closing of the chamber lid is used, then the structure is simple, but safety is reduced as operators cannot detect spring breaks during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated motorized drive system that includes electrical detection capabilities. The spring's electrical circuit integration provides automated breakage detection, eliminating the need for manual inspection while enhancing safety.
4Reliability
If a protective frame is provided on the chamber lid, then safety is improved by preventing injury, but the kinetic energy of the chamber lid must be reduced more quickly which requires more spring support
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides both the increased support force needed for rapid kinetic energy reduction during protective frame activation and maintains electrical continuity for breakage detection. This ensures the system can handle higher force requirements while maintaining safety monitoring capabilities.
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 enhances the safety of vacuum chamber machines by enabling the detection of spring breaks and preventing unintended lid closures, thereby ensuring operator safety and preventing potential injuries.
Implementation Method 1
each of the springs is connected to the control as part of its own circuit or a circuit common to several springs in such a way that a spring break can be detected by a change in the current or voltage
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum chamber packaging machine (1) with spring breakage detection. A first electrical line (17) is provided, which connects springs (15) to a controller (11), with an interruption in the line (17) due to a broken spring (15) being recognized by the controller via an applied voltage, see above that there are no undetected safety defects as a result.