Vessel Closure Inspection via Continuous Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for checking vessel occlusions in block machines require additional mechanical elements to separate and re-compress closures, leading to inefficiencies and potential failures, especially when dealing with defective occlusions that can cause production line stoppages and material loss.
Innovation Solution
A method where vessel occlusions are guided past a control device without separation, using a conveying medium, allowing for inline checking with optoelectronic sensors and automated evaluation, eliminating the need for additional mechanical elements and enabling dynamic pressure guidance, which simplifies the process and reduces mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vessel occlusions are separated in front of the control device using additional mechanical elements, then the control device can check each occlusion individually, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes more prone to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separation function from the mechanical element domain and extracts it to the control domain. The control device now performs the separation function through controlled ejection of defective occlusions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical separation elements while maintaining inspection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical separation elements with a control-based ejection system. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically separate and position each occlusion, the system uses the control device to identify and eject only the defective occlusions, substituting mechanical complexity with intelligent control.
2Measurement precision
If additional mechanical elements are provided to separate and re-compress vessel occlusions, then individual checking is enabled, but the reliability decreases due to potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the separation function from mechanical elements and transfers it to the control system. By removing mechanical separation components, the system eliminates their associated failure points while maintaining the ability to check each occlusion individually through controlled ejection of defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying medium serves its primary function of transporting occlusions while simultaneously enabling the ejection of defective items. The system uses the existing conveying infrastructure to achieve both transport and defect removal functions, reducing the need for additional mechanical elements that could fail.
3Productivity
If vessel occlusions are guided at higher speed to compensate for separation time, then productivity is maintained, but the complexity and reliability issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous conveyance of vessel occlusions through the inspection zone without interruption for separation. The conveying medium continuously transports occlusions at optimal speed, and defective items are ejected on-the-fly, eliminating stoppages and maintaining full productivity without requiring high-speed mechanical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces high-speed mechanical separation with a control-based ejection system that operates during normal conveyance. Instead of requiring rapid mechanical actions to separate and re-compress occlusions, the system uses controlled ejection during continuous transport, maintaining productivity while reducing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention comprises a method for checking vessel closures with a control device, comprising the steps of passing the vessel closures past the control device by means of a conveying medium without singulating the vessel closures in front of the control device, and checking the vessel closures with the control device.