Blister Pack Transfer Suction Arm with Segmented Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring blister packs from a punching station to a conveyor or storage are inefficient, affecting the overall throughput of the packaging process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first transfer unit for moving blister packs from a punching station or buffer to a clipboard and a second transfer unit for transferring them from the clipboard to a conveyor, utilizing a suction arm with rotatable segments and a suction device to perform combined rotational movements, allowing simultaneous pickup and placement of blister packs from above, ensuring reliable and high-throughput transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single suction arm with counter-rotating segments is used to transfer blister packs, then the transfer speed is increased, but the reliability of simultaneous pickup and placement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suction arm is divided into two independently controllable segments (first segment and second segment) that can rotate about different axes. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function (positioning and orientation) independently, ensuring reliable simultaneous pickup and placement while maintaining high transfer speed
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism uses combined rotational movements about two perpendicular axes (first axis and second axis) instead of a single linear or simple rotational movement. This multi-dimensional movement approach enables precise control over both the position and orientation of the suction arm, achieving reliable simultaneous pickup and placement at high speed
2Manufacturing precision
If the suction arm uses combined rotational movements about two perpendicular axes, then the precision of blister pack placement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex movement is broken down into two separate rotational segments, each controlled independently. The first segment handles positioning while the second segment handles orientation, making the overall complex movement more controllable and precise without requiring an overly complex single-mechanism system
Solution Approach 2:
The suction arm employs dynamic, multi-axis rotational movements rather than fixed or simple mechanical linkages. This dynamic approach allows precise placement by coordinating rotations about two perpendicular axes, achieving high precision while keeping the mechanism adaptable and relatively simple through independent segment control
3Productivity
If blister packs are transferred one at a time, then the device complexity is reduced, but the throughput of the packaging machine decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction arm combines multiple functions (pickup, transport, rotation, and placement) into a single integrated mechanism. By merging positioning and orientation control into one multi-segment arm system, the device achieves high throughput through coordinated multi-axis movement without requiring multiple separate transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism uses combined rotational movements about two perpendicular axes to achieve high-speed, high-precision transfer of multiple blister packs. This multi-dimensional movement approach allows the single suction arm to handle multiple packs efficiently, increasing throughput without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 solution enables efficient, precise, and quick transfer of blister packs to a multi-lane conveyor or storage, improving the packaging process throughput by ensuring blister packs are transferred with the same side up and rotated 180°, facilitating easy handling and packaging.
Implementation Method 1
A suction device for sucking up and holding the blister packs is arranged on the second segment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
In the device (2) and the method for transferring blister packs (4, 6) from a punching station (10) to an intermediate storage location (12) and from the intermediate storage location (12) to a conveying device (16), several blister packs (4, 6) are first transferred from the punching station (10) to the intermediate storage location (12), the blister packs (4, 6) being placed side by side in a row on the intermediate storage location (12) in several intermediate storage positions (22). Subsequently, the several blister packs (4, 6) in the several intermediate storage positions (22) are simultaneously picked up from above, moved, and placed from above in several final storage positions (26) on the conveying device (16). The blister packs (4, 6) are arranged side by side in the final storage positions (26) in a row parallel to the row of blister packs (4, 6) in the intermediate storage positions (22).Furthermore, in the final storage positions (26) compared to the intermediate storage positions (22), the blister packs (4, 6) are placed with the same side facing upwards, but rotated 180° around their centers.