Capsule Filling Carriages With Switchable Dosing Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling machines are not suitable for dispensing different types of products, such as liquids, powders, granules, tablets, and delayed-action drugs, with the same precision and production speed, lacking the ability to reliably and repeatedly fill capsules with varying products.
Innovation Solution
A filling machine with a linear electric motor and transfer carriages that move intermittently or continuously through multiple dosing stations, allowing for independent control of motion and activation of dosing stations based on product type, ensuring precise and efficient filling of capsules with different products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a filling machine uses a single dosing station configuration, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot fill different types of products (liquids, powders, granules, tablets) with the same precision and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple dosing station configurations (first dosing station for intermittent motion, second dosing station for continuous motion) that can be selectively activated based on product type. This allows a single machine to handle diverse products (liquids, powders, granules, tablets) with appropriate dosing mechanisms, achieving universality without requiring entirely separate machines for each product type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic motion control where the linear electric motor can switch between intermittent motion (for the first dosing station) and continuous motion (for the second dosing station). This dynamic adaptability in motion law allows the machine to optimize filling performance for different product characteristics, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the machine uses intermittent motion for dosing, then dosing precision is improved, but production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dosing function into two distinct dosing stations: the first dosing station operates with intermittent motion for high precision dosing of certain product types, while the second dosing station operates with continuous motion for high-speed filling of other product types. This segmentation allows the machine to achieve both precision and speed by selecting the appropriate dosing station based on product requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion parameter (from intermittent to continuous) by selecting different dosing stations based on product type and production requirements. The control unit activates the appropriate dosing station and adjusts the motion law accordingly, enabling the system to optimize between precision and speed by varying the motion parameter rather than being constrained to a single motion mode.
3Productivity
If the machine uses continuous motion for dosing, then production speed is improved, but dosing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dosing system into two specialized stations: one optimized for intermittent motion with high precision (first dosing station) and another optimized for continuous motion with high speed (second dosing station). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated pathways for precision-oriented and speed-oriented operations, allowing the machine to achieve both goals in different operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the precision-speed contradiction by changing the motion parameter (intermittent vs. continuous) based on the selected dosing station and product type. The control unit dynamically adjusts the motion law to match the operational requirements, enabling high-speed continuous motion filling when precision requirements are met by the continuous dosing mechanism, and switching to intermittent motion when higher precision is required.
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
Enables high-performance, reliable, and precise filling of capsules with various products by selectively activating dosing stations and adjusting motion laws, improving productivity and reducing the number of carriages needed, resulting in a robust and efficient packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
A filling machine with a linear electric motor and transfer carriages that move intermittently or continuously through multiple dosing stations
Data Source
AI summary
A filling machine for filling capsules with at least one product includes operating stations for operating on the capsules, and a moving system for transferring the capsules through the operating stations that include first and second dosing stations that are configured to fill the capsules with respective products. The moving system includes a linear electric motor, a guide rail, which includes a stator of the motor, and transfer carriages associated with the guide rail and provided with respective seats to house bodies and caps of the capsules. The transfer carriages have respective rotors of the motor interacting independently with respective magnetic fields generated by the stator to move the respective transfer carriages along the guide rail with an intermittent motion at the first dosing station when the first dosing station is activated and/or with a continuous motion at the second dosing station when the second dosing station is activate.