A push-rod-free automatic feeding and discharging device and method for a freeze dryer

Abstract

The application discloses a push-rod-free automatic feeding and discharging device and method for a freeze dryer, which comprises a first conveying mechanism and a second conveying mechanism arranged at the discharging end of the first conveying mechanism, the second conveying mechanism is connected with a lifting mechanism, a limiting mechanism is arranged at the second conveying mechanism, a guide rail is arranged between the second conveying mechanism and a freeze dryer plate layer, a carrying trolley is arranged on the guide rail, and a liquid conveying mechanism is arranged at the second conveying mechanism. Compared with the prior art, the application has the advantages of simple overall structure and ingenious design, the lifting of a tray assembly and the lifting of the second conveying mechanism are matched with each other, the conveying of a material tray between the two conveying mechanisms and the conveying of the material tray between the conveying mechanism and the carrying trolley are jointly completed, the automatic loading and unloading of the material tray by the carrying trolley are realized, and the feeding and discharging efficiency of the material tray is improved. In addition, the guide rail conveying mode is adopted, the push-rod-free automatic feeding and discharging are realized, and the application has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient cleaning and small sterile risk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical equipment technology, and in particular to a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device and method for a freeze dryer. Background Technology

[0002] The working process of a freeze dryer includes a feeding process and a discharging process: the feeding process refers to adding liquid medicine to the raw material tray (hereinafter referred to as the tray) and then transferring the tray to the freeze dryer shelf (hereinafter referred to as the shelf); the discharging process refers to transferring the tray out of the freeze dryer after the freeze drying is completed. Patent CN112320314A discloses an automatic feeding and discharging device and method for freeze-drying trays on a freeze dryer. In this method, the freeze-drying tray is conveyed through the feed inlet into the conveyor box. The operator's hand is inserted into a glove corresponding to the lifting platform to lift the freeze-drying tray into the lifting bracket. The control system controls the lifting cylinder to move the lifting bracket, causing the freeze-drying tray to move downwards, placing the edge of the tray on a telescopic trolley. The lifting bracket moves downwards until it is detached from the freeze-drying tray. The control system then controls the telescopic component on the telescopic trolley to move the freeze-drying tray to the shelf. Finally, the lifting component lowers the freeze-drying tray and places it on the shelf. The technical solution involves manually loading and unloading the freeze-drying trays, and uses two sets of electric push rods for extension and retraction. The installation process is quite complicated and maintenance is inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device and method for freeze dryers, which solves the problems of the existing technology that requires manual loading and unloading of trays and uses a relatively complex electric pusher structure.

[0004] The present invention provides a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer, comprising a first conveying mechanism and a second conveying mechanism disposed at the discharge end of the first conveying mechanism. The second conveying mechanism is connected to a lifting mechanism and a limiting mechanism is provided at the second conveying mechanism. A guide rail is provided between the second conveying mechanism and the freeze dryer plates, and a transport trolley is provided on the guide rail. A liquid delivery mechanism is provided at the second conveying mechanism.

[0005] Preferably, the guide rail is divided into multiple sections. The first section of the guide rail is disposed on the freeze dryer plate inside the freeze dryer, and the end of the second section of the guide rail is located on the side of the second conveying mechanism away from the freeze dryer plate.

[0006] Preferably, the freeze dryer has multiple layers, and the freeze dryer layers move along the height direction of the freeze dryer.

[0007] Preferably, both the first and second conveying mechanisms are equipped with rollers and a first motor that drives the rollers to rotate.

[0008] Preferably, a sealing door is provided between the freeze dryer plate and the second conveying mechanism, and the guide rail further includes a third section. The third section of the guide rail is located at the sealing door, and the third section of the guide rail is connected to a flip-plate driving mechanism. The flip-plate driving mechanism is used to drive the third section of the guide rail to flip up and down so as to dock with other sections of the guide rail.

[0009] Preferably, there are multiple second conveying mechanisms, which together constitute a tray conveying mechanism. The second section of the guide rail is located at the inlet and outlet ends of the tray conveying mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the guide rail is a rack, the transport trolley is provided with a synchronous toothed belt and a second power component that drives the synchronous toothed belt to rotate, the synchronous toothed belt meshes with the rack, and the transport trolley is provided with a rechargeable energy storage device that provides power to the second power component.

[0011] Preferably, the transport trolley is equipped with a pallet assembly for adjusting the height of the material tray, the pallet assembly having a clearance hole, and the roller of the second conveying mechanism moves up and down along the clearance hole via a lifting mechanism.

[0012] Preferably, the end of the material tray conveying mechanism that is away from the first conveying mechanism is connected to a third conveying mechanism.

[0013] The present invention also provides a feeding and discharging method for a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0014] S1: The second conveying mechanism places the material tray onto the transport trolley;

[0015] S2: The infusion mechanism fills the tray with the medicine solution;

[0016] S3: The transport trolley lifts the tray, moves it above the freeze dryer tray, and places it on the freeze dryer tray.

[0017] S4: The transport trolley returns to the top of the second conveying mechanism, and steps S1-S3 are repeated until the freeze dryer trays are full.

[0018] S5: Connect the first section of the guide rail on the empty freeze dryer plate to the other sections of the guide rail, and repeat steps S1-S4 to fill all the freeze dryer plates with the material tray, thereby completing the material tray feeding.

[0019] S6: After the freeze dryer finishes its work, the tray is discharged in the reverse order of the feeding process.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, in this invention, a second, liftable conveying mechanism passes through the pallet assembly and connects with the first conveying mechanism. The pallet is then transferred between the second conveying mechanism and the transport trolley via a lifting mechanism. Combined with the positioning of a limiting mechanism, this enables the transport trolley to automatically load and unload the pallet, thereby improving the efficiency of pallet loading and unloading. The overall structure is simple and ingeniously designed. The lifting of the pallet assembly and the second conveying mechanism work together to complete the transport of the pallet between the two conveying mechanisms and between the conveying mechanisms and the transport trolley. Furthermore, the use of a guide rail transport method enables automatic loading and unloading without push rods, featuring a simple structure, easy cleaning, and low risk of sterility. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the material tray being conveyed to the second conveying mechanism of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is the left view of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transport vehicle of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transport trolley moving to the freeze dryer plate layer according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Another structural diagram from a different perspective;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transport trolley of the present invention, which places the material tray on the plate of the freeze dryer;

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A;

[0031] Figure 10 for Figure 8 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point B.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 1. First conveying mechanism, 2. Second conveying mechanism, 3. Lifting mechanism, 4. Limiting mechanism, 5. Guide rail, 6. Freeze dryer plate, 7. Transport trolley, 71. Tray assembly, 8. Infusion mechanism, 21. Roller, 9. Sealing door, 100. Flip-plate drive mechanism, 72. Synchronous toothed belt, 711. Clearance hole, 200. Peristaltic pump, 300. Material tray. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0035] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 4 and attached Figure 6This embodiment provides a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer, including a first conveying mechanism 1 and a second conveying mechanism 2 located at the discharge end of the first conveying mechanism 1. The second conveying mechanism 2 is connected to a lifting mechanism 3, and a limiting mechanism 4 that can move up and down is provided at the second conveying mechanism 2. The limiting mechanism 4 is used to limit the position of the material tray 300 on the second conveying mechanism 2 so that when the second conveying mechanism 2 descends, the material tray 300 on it can accurately fall onto the transport trolley 7. A guide rail 5 is provided between the second conveying mechanism 2 and the freeze dryer plate 6. The device 5 is equipped with a transport trolley 7, which has a tray assembly 71 for adjusting the height of the tray 300. A lifting mechanism 3 drives the upper end of the second conveying mechanism 2 to pass through the transport trolley 7 and connect to the first conveying mechanism 1. The tray 300 is transferred between the tray assembly 71 and the second conveying mechanism 2 via a lifting mechanism. The second conveying mechanism 2 is equipped with an infusion mechanism 8. When the tray 300 is transported from the first conveying mechanism 1 to the second conveying mechanism 2, the outlet of the infusion mechanism 8 is located above the tray 300, and the infusion mechanism 8 fills the tray 300 with liquid medicine. The lifting mechanism 3 drives the second conveying mechanism 2 to rise so that it can connect with the first conveying mechanism 1. The second conveying mechanism 2 receives the tray 300 from the first conveying mechanism 1, or transports the tray 300 from the second conveying mechanism 2 to the first conveying mechanism 1. During feeding: The second conveyor 2 rises and docks with the first conveyor 1. The tray 300 is transported from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 2. After being positioned by the limiting mechanism 4, the second conveyor 2 lowers the tray 300. The tray assembly 71 lifts the tray 300, separating it from the second conveyor 2. Then, the transport trolley 7 transports the tray 300 along the guide rail 5 to the top of the freeze dryer plate 6. The tray assembly 71 lowers the tray 300 onto the freeze dryer plate 6, completing the feeding process. During discharging: The transport trolley 7 lifts the tray 300 via the tray assembly 71 and then transports it along the guide rail 5 to the top of the second conveyor 2. The tray is then placed on the second conveyor 2. The lifting mechanism 3 raises the second conveyor 2, docking it with the first conveyor 1. The second conveyor 2 then transports the tray 300 onto the first conveyor 1, completing the discharging process. Specifically, the upper end of the tray 300 is provided with wing plates on both sides, and the tray assembly 71 lifts the tray 300 by lifting the wing plates. The second conveying mechanism 2 can pass through the tray assembly 71, but the wing plates will prevent the tray 300 from passing through the tray assembly 71.

[0036] As another embodiment of the present invention: the guide rail 5 is divided into multiple sections. The first section of the guide rail 5 is set on the freeze dryer plate 6 inside the freeze dryer. The end of the second section of the guide rail 5 is located on the side of the second conveying mechanism 2 away from the freeze dryer plate 6. By setting the guide rail 5 on the freeze dryer plate 6, the guide rail 5 can be used directly when the freeze dryer plate 6 is replaced, without the need to lay the guide rail 5 separately, thereby improving the feeding and discharging efficiency.

[0037] As another embodiment of the present invention: refer to the appendix Figure 5 The freeze dryer has multiple layers 6, which move along the height of the freeze dryer. After the freeze dryer layers 6 fill the material tray 300, the filled freeze dryer layers 6 move upwards, and the empty freeze dryer layers 6 move upwards to the loading tray 300 station to start loading the loading tray 300. In this way, all the freeze dryer layers 6 can be filled to the material tray 300.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention: both the first conveying mechanism 1 and the second conveying mechanism 2 are provided with a roller 21 and a first motor for driving the roller 21 to rotate, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 The limiting mechanism 4 is positioned near the tray assembly 71.

[0039] As another embodiment of the present invention: refer to the appendix Figure 3 A sealing door 9 is provided between the freeze dryer plate 6 and the second conveying mechanism 2. The guide rail 5 also includes a third section, which is located at the sealing door 9. The third section of the guide rail 5 is connected to a flip-plate drive mechanism 100, which drives the third section of the guide rail 5 to flip up and down to align with the other sections of the guide rail 5. When the sealing door 9 is opened, the flip-plate drive mechanism 100 drives the third section of the guide rail 5 to flip and align with the other sections of the guide rail 5, thus facilitating the movement of the transport trolley 7. The third section of the guide rail 5 can be disconnected from the other sections to avoid interfering with the closing of the sealing door 9.

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention: there are multiple second conveying mechanisms 2, which together constitute a tray conveying mechanism. The second section of the guide rail 5 is located at the inlet and outlet ends of the tray conveying mechanism. Each second conveying mechanism 2 carries one tray 300. For example, if each of the three second conveying mechanisms 2 carries one tray 300, then the transport trolley 7 can transport three trays 300 onto the freeze dryer plate 6 in a single trip. The automatic loading and unloading steps of the three second conveying mechanisms 2 are as follows: the first conveying mechanism 1 transports the empty tray 300 to the second conveying mechanism 2 furthest from it. After being limited by the limiting mechanism 4, the furthest second conveying mechanism 2 stops operating. Then, the limiting mechanism 4 in the middle second conveying mechanism 2 rises, and the first conveying mechanism 1 transports the empty tray 300 to the middle second conveying mechanism 2. After being limited by the limiting mechanism 4, the middle second conveying mechanism 2 stops operating. When the limiting mechanism 4 within the nearest second conveyor 2 rises, the first conveyor 1 transports the empty tray 300 to the nearest second conveyor 2. After being limited by the limiting mechanism 4, the nearest first conveyor 1 stops operating, and then the transport trolley 7 transports the tray 300 to the freeze dryer shelf 6. After the freeze dryer completes the freeze drying task, the transport trolley 7 transports the three trays 300 to the second conveyor 2, and the three second conveyor 2s start, transporting the upper trays 300 to the first conveyor 1.

[0041] Specifically, the guide rail 5 is a rack, the transport trolley 7 is equipped with a synchronous toothed belt 72 and a second power component that drives the synchronous toothed belt 72 to rotate. The synchronous toothed belt 72 meshes with the rack, and the transport trolley 7 is equipped with a rechargeable energy storage device that provides power to the second power component.

[0042] Specifically, the pallet assembly 71 has clearance holes 711 and is comb-shaped. The roller 21 of the second conveying mechanism 2 moves up and down along the clearance holes 711 via the lifting mechanism 3 to dock with the first conveying mechanism 1. Each clearance hole 711 corresponds to one second conveying mechanism 2, and three clearance holes 711 are distributed on the pallet assembly 71.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, the other end of the tray conveying mechanism away from the first conveying mechanism 1 is connected to a third conveying mechanism. When the transport trolley 7 transports the tray 300 from the freeze dryer plate 6 to the second conveying mechanism 2, the tray 300 on the second conveying mechanism 2 can be unloaded along the third conveying mechanism.

[0044] The present invention also provides a feeding and discharging method for the pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0045] S1: Driven by the lifting mechanism 3, the second conveying mechanism 2 rises and connects with the discharge end of the first conveying mechanism 1, which is higher than the transport trolley 7. The material tray 300 is transported from the first conveying mechanism 1 to the second conveying mechanism 2. The limiting mechanism 4 positions the material tray 300, and then the second conveying mechanism 2 drives the material tray 300 to descend.

[0046] S2: Start the peristaltic pump 200 of the infusion mechanism 8 to fill the tray 300 with medicine;

[0047] S3: Open the sealing door 9 and flip the third section of the guide rail 5 to mate with the other sections of the guide rail 5.

[0048] S4: The transport trolley 7 lifts the tray 300 from the second conveyor mechanism 2 via the tray assembly 71, and then moves it along the guide rail 5 to the freeze dryer plate 6, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 7 and attached Figure 9 The pallet assembly 71 also lifts the tray 300, the bottom of which is above the freeze dryer shelf 6, approximately at half the height of the guide rail 5. The pallet assembly 71 on the transport trolley 7 places the tray 300 onto the freeze dryer shelf 6. (See attached diagram.) Figure 8 and attached Figure 10 At this time, the bottom of the tray 300 is flush with the bottom of the guide rail 5, and the bottom of the tray 300 is attached to the freeze dryer plate 6.

[0049] S5: The transport trolley 7 returns along the guide rail 5 to the top of the second conveying mechanism 2, and repeats steps S1-S4 until the freeze dryer plate 6 is full of material tray 300.

[0050] S6: Move the freeze dryer plate 6 filled with material tray 300 upwards, and move the empty freeze dryer plate 6 upwards so that the first section of the guide rail 5 on the empty freeze dryer plate 6 aligns with the other sections of the guide rail 5. Repeat steps S1-S5 to fill all freeze dryer plates 6 with material tray 300, thereby completing the feeding of material tray 300.

[0051] S7: After the freeze dryer finishes working, the transport trolley 7 lifts the tray 300 on the freeze dryer plate 6 through the tray assembly 71, and then transports it along the guide rail 5 to the top of the second conveying mechanism 2 and lowers the tray 300 onto the freeze dryer plate 6 through the tray assembly 71. The second conveying mechanism 2 rises 2 and docks with the first conveying mechanism 1.

[0052] S8: The second conveying mechanism 2 conveys the material tray 300 to the first conveying mechanism 1;

[0053] S9: Repeat steps S7-S8 to move all the material trays 300 on the freeze dryer plate 6;

[0054] S10: Move the empty freeze dryer plate 6 down, and move the freeze dryer plate 6 filled with material tray 300 down so that the first section of the guide rail 5 on it aligns with the other sections of the guide rail 5. Repeat steps S7-S9 to complete the discharge of all freeze dryer plates 6.

[0055] In this invention, a second, lifting conveyor 2 passes through a pallet assembly 71 and connects with a first conveyor 1. The pallet 300 is then transferred between the second conveyor 2 and the transport trolley 7 via a lifting mechanism. Combined with the positioning of a limiting mechanism 4, the transport trolley 7 automatically loads and unloads the pallet 300, thereby improving the material handling efficiency of the pallet 300. The overall structure is simple and ingeniously designed. The lifting of the pallet assembly 71 and the second conveyor 2 works in tandem to complete the transport of the pallet 300 between the two conveyor mechanisms and between the conveyor mechanism and the transport trolley 7. Furthermore, the use of a guide rail 5 for transport enables automatic loading and unloading without push rods, featuring a simple structure, ease of cleaning, and low risk of sterility.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer, characterized in that, The system includes a first conveying mechanism (1) and a second conveying mechanism (2) located at the discharge end of the first conveying mechanism (1). The second conveying mechanism (2) is connected to a lifting mechanism (3). A limiting mechanism (4) is provided at the second conveying mechanism (2). A guide rail (5) is provided between the second conveying mechanism (2) and the freeze dryer plate (6). A transport trolley (7) is provided on the guide rail (5). An infusion mechanism (8) is provided at the second conveying mechanism (2). Both the first conveying mechanism (1) and the second conveying mechanism (2) are provided with a roller (21) and a first motor that drives the roller (21) to rotate. The transport trolley (7) is provided with a tray assembly (71) for adjusting the height of the material tray (300). The tray assembly (71) forms a clearance hole (711). The roller (21) of the second conveying mechanism (2) is raised and lowered along the clearance hole (711) by the lifting mechanism (3).

2. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail (5) is divided into multiple sections. The first section of the guide rail (5) is set on the freeze dryer plate (6) inside the freeze dryer. The end of the second section of the guide rail (5) is located on the side of the second conveying mechanism (2) away from the freeze dryer plate.

3. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The freeze dryer has multiple layers (6), and the freeze dryer layers (6) move along the height direction of the freeze dryer.

4. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that, A sealing door (9) is provided between the freeze dryer plate (6) and the second conveying mechanism (2). The guide rail (5) also includes a third section. The third section of the guide rail (5) is located at the sealing door (9). The third section of the guide rail (5) is connected to a flip-plate driving mechanism (100). The flip-plate driving mechanism (100) is used to drive the third section of the guide rail (5) to flip up and down so as to connect with other sections of the guide rail (5).

5. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that, There are multiple second conveying mechanisms (2), and multiple second conveying mechanisms (2) constitute a material tray conveying mechanism. The second section of the guide rail (5) is located at the inlet end and outlet end of the material tray conveying mechanism.

6. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail (5) is a rack, and the transport trolley (7) is provided with a synchronous toothed belt (72) and a second power component that drives the synchronous toothed belt (72) to rotate. The synchronous toothed belt (72) meshes with the rack, and the transport trolley (7) is provided with a rechargeable energy storage device, which provides power to the second power component.

7. The pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The other end of the material tray conveying mechanism, away from the first conveying mechanism (1), is connected to a third conveying mechanism.

8. A feeding and discharging method for a pusherless automatic feeding and discharging device for a freeze dryer as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: The second conveying mechanism (2) places the tray (300) onto the transport trolley (7); S2: Fill the tray (300) with medicine solution through the infusion mechanism (8); S3: The transport trolley (7) lifts the tray (300) and moves it above the freeze dryer plate (6) and places it on the freeze dryer plate (6); S4: The transport trolley (7) returns to the top of the second conveying mechanism (2), and steps S1-S3 are repeated until the freeze dryer plate (6) is full of material trays (300); S5: Connect the first section of the guide rail (5) on the empty freeze dryer plate (6) with the other sections of the guide rail (5), and repeat steps S1-S4 to fill all the freeze dryer plates with the material tray (300) to complete the feeding of the material tray (300). S6: After the freeze dryer finishes working, discharge the material from the tray (300) in the reverse order of feeding.

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