Capsule Closing Station with Servo-Controlled Telescopic Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capsule filling machines face issues with inaccurate cap and body sensing, leading to incomplete or improperly sealed capsules, which results in wastage and economic losses. Additionally, the spring-loaded closing stations can apply excessive force, causing dented capsules and inefficient processing.
Innovation Solution
A closing station with a bottom and top closing unit, each equipped with pins aligned with through-holes in the body and cap holders, respectively. A control unit initiates vertical displacement of these units to ensure proper alignment and closure of capsule sections. Sensing mechanisms within the top closing unit provide feedback on the closure status, allowing for the segregation of good, bad, and dented capsules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spring-loaded closing station is used to close capsules, then capsule closure function is provided, but excessive force is applied causing dented capsules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the force parameter from fixed (spring-loaded) to adjustable and controllable. The closing force is controlled by a servo motor that can precisely regulate the compression force applied to the capsule, preventing excessive force that causes denting while ensuring proper closure. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between providing closure function and maintaining capsule quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where force sensors monitor the closing force in real-time and provide feedback to the control system. This allows the system to adjust the closing force dynamically, ensuring it remains within the optimal range to close capsules properly without causing damage. The feedback loop resolves the contradiction by preventing excessive force application.
2Extent of automation
If cap and body sensing station is used to check capsule presence, then sensing function is provided, but inaccurate sensing occurs leading to improper filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from force sensors and control systems to verify capsule presence and proper positioning before closing. The system continuously monitors the interaction forces between the capsule components and the closing mechanism, providing feedback that confirms accurate sensing and positioning. This feedback mechanism improves measurement precision while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary checking and verification of capsule presence and orientation before the closing operation begins. The control system verifies that both cap and body are properly positioned in the holders through pre-closing sensing and force verification. This preliminary action ensures accurate detection before the actual closing, resolving the contradiction between automated sensing and measurement precision.
3Productivity
If conventional closing station is used, then capsule closing is performed, but no segregation of good and bad capsules occurs causing wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback from force sensors that monitor the closing process and provide information about capsule quality. The control system analyzes this feedback to determine whether each capsule was closed properly or if it is defective. This feedback enables real-time quality assessment and segregation, preventing wastage of good capsules while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the capsule processing stream into good and bad capsules based on closing quality assessment. The control system separates properly closed capsules from defective ones, allowing only good capsules to proceed to the next stage. This segmentation prevents wastage by ensuring that only quality capsules are processed further, while maintaining overall productivity through continuous operation.
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 ensures efficient and complete closure of capsules, reduces wastage by segregating good and bad capsules, and maintains continuous operation by preventing interruptions due to improper filling or sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means positioned within said top pins, said biasing means being a spring configured to exert said biasing force
Implementation Method 2
said sensing means being positioned within said top closing unit and configured to sense a position of each said top pin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a closing station for a capsule filling machine comprising a bottom and a top closing unit configured to displace towards each other, such that bottom pins associated with said bottom closing unit urge into through holes of a body holder (B) to contact closed ends of each filled capsule body sections and sliding them into said open ends of each capsule cap sections, such that each capsule is partially closed against an exerting pre-compressive force of the top pins and is completely closed when force against biasing means of said top pins is exerted for providing telescoping closing of the cap and body sections of each capsule.