Wrapping Apparatus Planetary Gear Grip Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wrapping apparatuses cause damage to delicate products like chocolates and pastries due to excessive acceleration forces during gripping and handling, which can lead to deformation or abrasion, and there is a risk of collision with the supply line during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A wrapping apparatus with coaxial, synchronously rotating carousels that use articulated grip means with a toothed planetary gear system and eccentric pivoting, allowing for a divergent and inclined path that lifts the product gently and orientates it correctly for wrapping, reducing acceleration forces and collision risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grip means are used to pick up and transfer products from the supply line, then product handling and wrapping is enabled, but excessive acceleration forces cause surface damage and deformation to delicate products
Solution Approach 1:
The grip means are mounted on a movable support that can translate along the supply line direction, allowing the gripping system to dynamically adjust its position and speed. This dynamic configuration enables the grip means to move synchronously with the product during translation, then gradually accelerate it without subjecting the product to sudden high acceleration forces that would cause surface damage
Solution Approach 2:
The grip means are positioned to engage the product while it is still on the supply line, before the product needs to be transferred to the wrapping station. This preliminary engagement allows the grip means to begin moving with the product immediately, avoiding sudden acceleration and ensuring a smooth, damage-free transfer process
2Reliability
If clamping force is increased to prevent product slipping during acceleration, then product grip is improved, but permanent deformations occur on the product surface
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support allows the grip means to translate along with the product during the initial phase, reducing the relative motion between grip and product. This dynamic synchronization reduces the required clamping force to prevent slipping, thereby avoiding permanent deformations on the product surface while maintaining reliable grip stability
3Productivity
If product translation speed is increased to improve productivity, then wrapping throughput is improved, but acceleration forces cause product damage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support enables a gradual acceleration profile where the grip means first translate with the product at line speed, then slowly accelerate to the higher wrapping station speed. This dynamic speed transition allows high productivity to be achieved without subjecting the product to damaging acceleration forces
Solution Approach 2:
The grip means establish synchronous motion with the product before acceleration begins, preparing the product for speed increase in a controlled manner. This preliminary synchronized movement ensures that when acceleration occurs, the product is already securely positioned and experiences minimal stress
4Ease of operation
If product is transferred onto a rotating manipulation drum, then product orientation and wrapping are enabled, but product rotation causes edge collision with supply line walls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the product from the rotating drum mechanism and instead uses the movable grip means that translates linearly along the supply line. By removing the rotation element, the product is oriented through the movement of the grip means themselves, eliminating the risk of edge collision with supply line walls while maintaining orientation capability
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
The apparatus minimizes product damage by controlling acceleration forces and preventing collisions, ensuring safe and effective wrapping while maintaining a low-cost and practical design.
Implementation Method 1
said grip means being articulated to a toothed planetary gear that is accommodated in said carousel and can rotate about a fixed toothed sun gear of said carousel
Implementation Method 2
said grip means being pivoted eccentrically on each planetary gear, defining a path that has a portion that is inclined and divergent with respect to said supply line
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A wrapping apparatus (1) comprising a line (2) for supplying queued products (A) and grip means (3) for picking up one product (A) at a time from the line (2) and for transferring it to a respective station (4) for superimposing it on a covering flap and for closing such flap over the product (A); the apparatus (1) comprises a pair of mutually opposite carousels (5), which are coaxial and rotate synchronously; each carousel (5) supports at least two grip means (3), which are distributed angularly along the carousel (5) and are aligned with corresponding grip means (3) of the other carousel (5); the grip means (3) are articulated to a toothed planetary gear (6) that is accommodated in the carousel (5) and can rotate about a fixed toothed sun gear (7) of the carousel (5); the grip means (3) are pivoted eccentrically on each planetary gear (6), defining a path (8) that has a portion (9) that is inclined and divergent with respect to the line (2); the portion (9) is arranged downstream of the area for the clamping of the product (A) by the grip means (3).