Vibration Tray Channel Segmentation for Filling Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container filling machines are inefficient due to limited speed of vibration trays, which hampers the overall efficiency of placing discrete articles into containers.
Innovation Solution
The container filling machine incorporates vibration trays with divided channels and independently controlled vibration frequencies to enhance the movement and distribution of discrete articles, utilizing sloped paths and a processing unit to adjust vibration based on filling rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vibration trays are used to move discrete articles, then articles are spaced and transported towards containers, but the speed is limited and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration tray is divided into multiple channels with dividing walls, creating separate paths for discrete articles. This segmentation allows articles to be distributed across multiple parallel channels, effectively increasing the overall throughput and filling speed without requiring the entire tray to move faster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sloped paths that lead articles from the drop-off end towards containers, adding a dimensional element to the transport mechanism. This allows articles to be guided efficiently into containers using gravity-assisted inclined planes, complementing the horizontal vibration tray movement.
2Productivity
If multiple containers are filled simultaneously, then productivity increases, but maintaining uniform filling rates across all containers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the presence and number of articles in each container, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor filling rates across multiple containers and make adjustments to maintain uniformity, ensuring precise control over the filling process for each container individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration frequency and amplitude of each channel can be independently adjusted dynamically based on real-time monitoring of container filling status. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize the flow of articles into each container, maintaining uniform filling rates even as containers are filled at different stages.
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 significantly increases the speed and efficiency of filling containers by optimizing the vibration of trays and adjusting frequencies to match filling rates, ensuring uniform distribution and filling rates across multiple containers.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray; the plurality of sloped paths leading the discrete articles towards the at least one container
Data Source
AI summary
A container-filling machine for placing discrete articles within at least one container. The container filling machine comprises at least one vibration tray comprising a discrete article receiving end, a discrete article drop-off end and a plurality of channels extending from the discrete article receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end. Each channel includes two discrete article receiving paths at the discrete article receiving end. The two discrete article receiving paths combine into a single discrete article-depositing path in proximity to the discrete article drop-off end. The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels. The container filling machine further comprises a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray. The plurality of sloped paths leading the discrete articles towards the at least one container.