Aseptic Robotic Arm Self-Service Joint Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging apparatuses for pourable products in aseptic environments require frequent human intervention, which compromises sterility and necessitates complex and time-consuming sterilization cycles, limiting operational efficiency and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A robotic arm with a unique joint mechanism that allows for simplified assembly and disassembly within the aseptic environment, minimizing the risk of contamination and streamlining maintenance processes by using a bayonet-style movement and sealing elements to maintain sterility during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human operators access the inner environment for maintenance and repairs, then operations can be performed, but sterility is compromised and sterilization cycles are required
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm enables the system to perform its own maintenance and repair operations within the sterile environment, eliminating the need for human operators to breach sterility. The robot can service the treatment machine, replace components, and perform quality control operations while maintaining the sealed sterile barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the sterile inner environment and the non-sterile outer environment. It transfers tools, components, and performs operations without human hands directly entering the sterile zone, thus maintaining sterility while enabling maintenance activities.
2Reliability
If frequent sterilization cycles are executed to maintain sterility, then sterility is maintained, but operational time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm enables the system to maintain itself within the sterile environment, performing maintenance and repairs without breaching sterility conditions. This eliminates the need for interrupting operations to perform sterilization cycles, thereby maintaining both sterility and continuous productivity.
3Ease of repair
If multiple access operations are performed, then maintenance needs are met, but the frequency of sterilization cycles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm enables the system to perform its own maintenance and repair operations within the sterile environment, eliminating the need for human operators to breach sterility. The robot can service the treatment machine, replace components, and perform quality control operations while maintaining the sealed sterile barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the sterile inner environment and the non-sterile outer environment. It transfers tools, components, and performs operations without human hands directly entering the sterile zone, thus maintaining sterility while enabling maintenance activities.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic arm comprising a first arm portion, a second arm portion, the second arm portion moveable between a first axial position, in which the first arm portion and the second arm portion are mutually spaced from each other along said axis, and a second axial position, in which a first end of first arm portion and a second end of the second arm portion are in contact to define a housing, a head rotatable with respect to the first arm portion and around said axis; and a robotic joint. The joint is configured for adopting an operative condition, to make the second arm portion integral with the head. The robotic arm is configured so that said operative condition corresponds to said second axial position and said second angular position and the robotic arm is configured so that, in said operative condition, the joint is located within said housing.