Capsule Filling Machine Sleeve Transfer for Damage-Free Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule filling machines face challenges in securely transporting and joining capsule parts without damage, ensuring precise alignment, and efficiently sorting filled capsules.
Innovation Solution
The counter holder is positioned in a stop region spaced from the conveying region, allowing a transport sleeve to fix and transport the joined capsule, with a counter holder moving along the joining axis to ensure secure alignment and transport, and a transport device for sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the counter holder is positioned in the conveying region to join capsule parts, then the joining process can be performed, but the capsule may be damaged during transport and the joining precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the operational space into two distinct regions: a conveying region for transporting capsule parts and a stop region for performing the joining operation. This spatial segmentation allows the capsule to be securely held and joined without the risks associated with transport, thereby improving joining reliability while preventing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport sleeve acts as an intermediary device that transfers the capsule from the conveying region to the stop region. It provides a controlled transition environment where the capsule can be securely held during the joining process, isolating it from harmful transport vibrations and movements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the counter holder remains stationary in the conveying region, then the device structure is simple, but the capsule alignment precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The counter holder is designed to move along the joining axis, transitioning from a stationary position to an active joining position. This dynamic capability allows precise alignment of capsule parts during the joining process while maintaining a compact structure when not in use, balancing precision requirements with device simplicity.
3Productivity
If the closing element moves continuously without interruption, then the productivity increases, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed to move continuously along the joining axis without interruptions or stoppages during the joining process. This continuous motion eliminates idle time between operations, maximizing productivity while the control system manages the continuous motion through predefined pathways.
4Reliability
If the transport region height is increased to accommodate the full capsule, then the capsule transport security is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport sleeve utilizes radial expansion to accommodate the capsule rather than increasing the vertical height of the transport region. By expanding outward radially, the system provides sufficient clearance for the capsule while maintaining a compact vertical profile, thus improving transport security without significantly increasing overall device volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule filling machine (10) for filling a capsule, which has a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part, includes a conveying device (32), a filling station (82) and at least one station (86) for closing a filled capsule lower part with a capsule upper part and for transporting a filled capsule. The station comprises a closing element which can be moved along the joining axis and which is driven by a closing drive, and which cooperates with a lower face of the filled capsule lower part, and a counter holder which cooperates with an upper face of the capsule upper part. The counter holder can be arranged in a stop region which is spaced apart from a conveying region by the interposition of a transport region. A transport sleeve which fixes and transports the filled and fully joined capsule outside the conveying region is arranged in the transport region.