Automatic Coupling Device for Robotic Reservoir Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, manually coupling reservoirs with movement devices for transferring sterilized products is challenging due to the reservoir's structure and weight, requiring specialized training and increasing operating costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An automatic coupling device with constraining means, such as quick-fit connections and locking mechanisms, enables safe and efficient kinematic coupling between a robotic arm and a reservoir, allowing for automated movement between different operating stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual coupling operations are used to connect reservoirs with movement devices, then operators can perform the coupling tasks, but the operations become particularly difficult due to reservoir structure and weight, requiring specialized training and increasing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device enables self-alignment and self-coupling through complementary geometric profiles (first profile on movement device, second profile on reservoir). The constraining means automatically engage when the profiles are aligned, eliminating the need for manual positioning and complex coupling procedures while maintaining safety through the automatic engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical coupling operations with an automated system featuring geometric profiles and constraining means. The movement device's profile automatically guides and engages with the reservoir's profile, substituting manual dexterity requirements with a self-aligning mechanical system that reduces training needs and improves safety.
2Productivity
If manual coupling procedures are used, then operators can connect movement devices and reservoirs, but the complicated succession of operations results in strong impact on operating times and increases operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The movement device is pre-equipped with a first geometric profile and the reservoir with a second geometric profile before the coupling operation. This preliminary configuration of complementary profiles ensures that when the reservoir is positioned on the movement device, the constraining means automatically engage without requiring complex sequential manual operations, thereby reducing coupling time and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If automated coupling is implemented with geometric profiles and constraining means, then coupling operations are simplified and safety is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The geometric profiles (first and second profiles) serve multiple functions: they guide the reservoir onto the movement device, establish proper alignment, and enable automatic engagement of the constraining means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate guiding, positioning, and coupling mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving full automation.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic coupling device comprising a first coupling body and a second coupling body respectively mountable on a first body, preferably a robotic arm, and on a second body, preferably a reservoir adapted to contain at least one sterile product to be transferred to a filling line, so as to form a kinematic coupling between the first body and the second body. The device further comprises constraining means activatable on respective constraining portions of the first coupling body and the second coupling body so as to reversibly constrain the first body and the second body. In particular, the first coupling body comprises locking means operatively connected to the second coupling body to prevent and/or permit a relative movement between the first coupling body and the second coupling body. Furthermore, the device comprises movement means configured to produce a relative movement between the first coupling body and the second coupling body and a control unit configured to activate and/or deactivate at least the movement means and/or the constraining means and/or locking means on the basis of at least one operating parameter of said device and/or on the basis of a preloaded logic.