Capsule Mixing Machine with Cam and Ball Joint Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing apparatus for cosmetic compositions requires a significant drive motor to ensure effective mixing of capsules, leading to increased costs, volume, and weight, as well as complex and noisy operation, making it difficult to achieve a compact, simple, and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A mixing machine with a support for deformable capsules, featuring an actuation system that includes a cam and ball joint mechanism, allowing for a compact and efficient back-and-forth motion without generating noise, and a drive motor that rotates in one direction, reducing the need for a large motor and improving material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a significant drive motor is used to transmit pressure forces to deformable compartments, then effective mixing of formulations is achieved, but the apparatus volume and weight increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into multiple bearing elements (first bearing element with first bearing surface, second bearing element with second bearing surface) that work in sequence rather than one large motor. Each bearing element applies pressure to one capsule at a time, dividing the mixing function into discrete segments that reduce overall motor size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor operates in cyclic periods, alternating between activating the first bearing element and the second bearing element. The motor cycles between inactive and active positions, applying pressure forces periodically to each capsule in turn. This periodic action allows a smaller motor to achieve effective mixing over time without requiring the continuous high power of a larger motor.
2Reliability
If a significant drive motor is used to transmit pressure forces to deformable compartments, then effective mixing of formulations is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into multiple bearing elements (first bearing element with first bearing surface, second bearing element with second bearing surface) that work in sequence rather than one large motor. Each bearing element applies pressure to one capsule at a time, dividing the mixing function into discrete segments that reduce overall motor size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor operates in cyclic periods, alternating between activating the first bearing element and the second bearing element. The motor cycles between inactive and active positions, applying pressure forces periodically to each capsule in turn. This periodic action allows a smaller motor to achieve effective mixing over time without requiring the continuous high power of a larger motor.
3Ease of operation
If complex kinematic chains are used to transmit motion from motor to actuation system, then motion transmission is achieved, but the system becomes more fragile and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism extracts the complex multi-stage kinematic chain and replaces it with a direct single-stage transmission. The cam's profile directly converts rotational motor motion into the required back-and-forth linear motion of the bearing elements, eliminating intermediate transmission stages that would generate noise and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element between the motor and the bearing elements. Instead of using a complex chain of gears and linkages, the cam profile serves as the mediating mechanism that directly translates rotational motion into the precise back-and-forth motion needed for capsule compression, reducing noise and mechanical 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 results in a compact, easy-to-use, and cost-effective manufacturing apparatus that efficiently mixes cosmetic compositions without noise, addressing the issues of size, weight, and complexity, while ensuring reliable operation and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cam movable in rotation along a cam axis of rotation not parallel to the actuation axis of rotation, the cam comprising a drive finger, in which the actuation system comprises a drive groove configured to receive said drive finger, so that the rotation of the cam causes a back-and-forth motion of the actuation system
Implementation Method 2
the link between the drive finger and the drive groove comprises a ball joint
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing machine, configured to receive a receiving device in order to form a manufacturing apparatus, the mixing machine comprising:a support defining a receiving housing, able to receive a first capsule and a second capsule both deformable and intended to be fluidly linked to each other, the first and second capsules containing respectively a first formulation and a second formulation,an actuation system, movable in rotation back-and-forth about a pivot axis,a cam movable in rotation along a cam axis of rotation not parallel to the actuation axis of rotation, the cam comprising a drive finger,wherein the actuation system comprises a drive groove configured to receive said drive finger, so that the rotation of the cam causes a back-and-forth motion of the actuation system, wherein the link between the drive finger and the drive groove comprises a ball joint.