Width-Variable Packaging Machine Actuator
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging machines face challenges in efficiently adjusting the width of longitudinal sealing devices to accommodate packaged goods of varying widths, leading to excessive film overhang and inefficient use of space, especially when trying to package items narrower than the conveyor belt width.
Innovation Solution
The packaging machine employs a common actuating device with an endless element guided over a deflection element, where the position of the deflection element is coupled to the height position of the longitudinal welding device, allowing simultaneous adjustment of the guide and longitudinal sealing device widths using spindles and L-shaped levers, ensuring proper tension and alignment without increasing the machine's overall length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the longitudinal sealing device width is adjusted to accommodate narrower packaged goods, then the packaging machine can process goods of varying widths, but the machine's overall length increases due to the need for additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the width adjustment mechanisms of both the guide (32) and the longitudinal sealing device (34) into a single integrated actuating device (40). The actuating device uses a common drive shaft (42) and endless element (38) to simultaneously adjust both components, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and thereby preventing an increase in the machine's overall length while maintaining versatility for different goods widths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate adjustment mechanisms are used for the guide and longitudinal sealing device, then each component can be independently adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions by providing a single actuating device (40) that simultaneously controls both the guide (32) and the longitudinal sealing device (34). The common drive shaft (42) and endless element (38) coordinate both adjustments through mechanical coupling, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust both components independently when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device (40) serves multiple functions: it adjusts the guide width, adjusts the longitudinal sealing device width, and coordinates both adjustments through the common drive shaft (42). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If the machine is designed with fixed width positioning, then the structure is simpler, but the packaging machine cannot adapt to different packaged goods widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability by providing movable guide (32) and adjustable longitudinal sealing device (34) controlled by the actuating device (40). The drive shaft (42) and endless element (38) enable the system to transition from fixed to adjustable width positioning, allowing the packaging machine to adapt to different goods widths while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of straightforward mechanical linkages.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine has a longitudinal welding device whose width position is adjustable to set width of an upper film web and a lower film web. Guide bars guide packaged goods. The width position of the welding device and a width position of the guide bars are adjustable by an actuator (40). The actuator has an endless element (38) that is guided by a deflection element (54), where a position of the deflection element is coupled with a height position (H) of the welding device. The endless element connects two spindles (32, 34).