Capsule Filling Segment Drive for Synchronized Two-Part Capsule Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capsule filling machines have complex designs and require multiple drive units for synchronizing segment movements, making them difficult to operate and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A capsule filling machine with a single main drive unit that operates both the machine and drives the relative movement of upper and lower segments, eliminating the need for additional drive units and ensuring synchronized segment movements through a pivoting and translational motion mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drive units are used to operate the machine and drive segment movements, then the machine can perform complex operations, but the machine design becomes complex and difficult to synchronize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine operation capabilityVSAvoidmachine design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single main drive unit that operates both the machine overall and drives the relative movement of upper and lower segments. This merging of drive functions eliminates the need for additional drive units, thereby reducing machine design complexity while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single main drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the machine operation and simultaneously drives the relative movement of the capsule segments. This multi-functionality allows one drive unit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate drive units, simplifying the overall machine design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drive units are used to operate the machine and drive segment movements, then the machine can perform complex operations, but the synchronization of segment movements becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine operation capabilityVSAvoidsegment movement synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the drive functions into a single main drive unit, the patent ensures that all segment movements are driven by the same timing source. This inherent synchronization is achieved through the shared drive mechanism, eliminating the synchronization difficulties that arise when multiple independent drive units are used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional drive units are used to move the segments, then the segments can be moved independently, but the machine design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegment movement capabilityVSAvoidmachine design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the segment movement drive function with the main machine drive unit, eliminating the need for separate drive units for segment movement. This is achieved by designing the main drive unit to simultaneously control both machine operation and segment relative movement, thereby reducing overall machine complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4151196B1Capsule filling machine for filling two-part capsules
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HARRO HOFLIGER VERPACKUNGSMASCHEN
  • EP4151196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151196B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4151196B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a capsule filling machine for filling two-part capsules, each consisting of a capsule top and a capsule bottom. The capsule filling machine comprises a main drive unit (4) for operating the capsule filling machine (1) and at least one capsule segment (5) for conveying the capsules. The capsule segment (5) comprises a segment bottom (6) for receiving the capsule bottom and a segment top (7) for receiving the capsule top. The segment bottom (6) and the segment top (7) are designed to be movable relative to each other. The capsule segment (5) is operatively connected to the main drive unit (4) such that the relative movement of the segment bottom (6) and segment top (7) relative to each other is effected by the main drive unit (4).