Variable Spring Force Compaction for Reverse Vending Jamming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compacting devices for reverse vending machines face issues with jamming when trying to compact empties of varying transverse extents or wall thicknesses, as the spring force required for smaller empties is too high, preventing the proper compaction of thicker empties.
Innovation Solution
The spring unit is designed with a dual deflection range, where the spring force increases significantly in the first deflection range for compacting thin empties and then levels off in a second range, allowing for the safe compaction of thicker empties by adjusting the pressing force based on the empty's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring unit with large spring force is used to compact thin empties, then thin empties can be reliably compacted, but thick empties may jam in the reduction gap
Solution Approach 1:
The spring unit is divided into multiple spring elements (first spring element and second spring element) that operate in sequence. The first spring element provides high spring force for thin empties, while the second spring element provides lower spring force for thick empties, segmenting the compaction process into different force levels based on empty thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant of the spring unit is changed depending on the deflection range. In the first deflection range, the spring unit has a higher spring constant for thin empties, and in the second deflection range, it has a lower spring constant for thick empties. This parameter change allows the same spring unit to adapt to different empty types without causing jamming.
2Device complexity
If a single spring force level is used, then the spring unit structure is simple, but it cannot handle both thin and thick empties effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The spring unit dynamically adjusts its spring force characteristic based on the deflection magnitude. As the counter-holder deflects further, the spring force increases at different rates depending on the deflection range, allowing the system to adapt to varying empty thicknesses automatically without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The second spring element is nested within the first spring element's operational range. The second spring element becomes active only after the first spring element reaches its maximum deflection, creating a nested arrangement where one spring element's workspace contains the other's workspace, enabling multi-range force delivery.
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 design ensures reliable compaction of empties across a wide range of sizes without jamming, providing optimal pressing force for both thin and thick empties, enabling efficient operation with minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
the spring unit is designed in such a way that when the counter-holder is deflected, starting from a zero position, the counter-holder is subjected to an increasing spring force in a first deflection range, and that after a transitional deflection has been exceeded by the counter-holder, this is subjected to a spring force during further deflection in a second deflection range
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The compacting device (1) has a spring unit (4), which is designed such that a counter-support (3) is impinged with increasing spring force during the deflection of the counter-support from a zero position in the deflection area. The counter-support is impinged with spring force during further deflection in another deflection area after exceeding a crossover deflection.