Bi-Stable Holding Devices for Pharmaceutical Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding structures for medical containers suffer from material abrasion and difficulty in simultaneous insertion or removal due to friction, leading to contamination and processing delays.
Innovation Solution
The holding devices are configured to selectively assume two stable positions, allowing for frictionless insertion and removal by adjusting their distance, and are elastically biased to prevent accidental changes in position, enabling all containers to be processed concurrently without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holding devices hold containers by frictional engagement or positive locking, then containers are securely held in position, but material abrasion occurs during insertion or removal causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The holding devices are designed to dynamically change their spacing between two stable positions. In the first stable position, the holding devices are spaced apart to allow frictionless insertion and removal of containers. In the second stable position, the holding devices move closer together to securely hold containers during transport and processing. This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates material abrasion during container handling while maintaining secure holding during storage.
2Reliability
If holding devices are fixed in a closed position to hold containers securely, then containers are firmly held, but simultaneous insertion or removal of multiple containers is difficult due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The holding structure allows all holding devices to be simultaneously reconfigured from the closed holding position to the open insertion position through a single actuating action. This enables multiple containers to be inserted or removed at the same time without frictional resistance, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining secure holding when needed.
3Ease of operation
If holding devices are moved apart to allow frictionless container insertion, then container handling is improved, but containers may not be securely held during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses bi-stable holding devices that can be switched between two distinct states: an open state for frictionless container insertion and removal, and a closed state for secure container holding during transport. The ability to transition between these states ensures both ease of operation and reliability are achieved at different operational phases.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If holding devices use elastic arms with tight tolerances to hold containers with clearance, then material abrasion is reduced, but holding structure may warp or shrink due to temperature or humidity changes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on tight tolerances and elastic deformation, the invention uses a dynamic spacing mechanism where holding devices are moved between two stable positions. This eliminates the need for continuous elastic contact and tight tolerances, making the system insensitive to temperature and humidity variations that cause warping or shrinking of the holding structure.
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
This solution reduces material abrasion, prevents contamination, and facilitates faster, more economical processing of medical containers by allowing simultaneous insertion and removal without frictional forces, improving handling efficiency and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The holding devices are elastically biased into a first and/or a second stable position
Implementation Method 2
the containers are held by the holding devices in the respective opening or receptacle by frictional engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A holding structure for holding a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic purposes includes a carrier having openings or receptacles for accommodating the containers. Holding devices for holding the containers are provided at the openings or receptacles. The holding devices can selectively assume two different stable positions, namely a first stable position in which the containers can be inserted without friction into the openings or receptacles and a second stable position in which the containers are held in the respective opening or receptacle by frictional engagement or by positive locking. The containers can be reliably inserted into the openings or receptacles without material abrasion. In the open insertion position of the holding devices, a large number of containers can be inserted concurrently into the openings or receptacles without high forces acting on the holding structure.