Stepped Conveyor Wheel for Capsule X-ray Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing device for checking pharmaceutical products, particularly hard gelatin capsules, is cumbersome and risks damaging the capsules due to the need for multiple handling steps before irradiation, involving transfer from a bulk storage unit to receiving segments and then to a sensor device.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor wheel with a stationary inner ring and a rotatable outer ring, where the products are arranged in receiving areas on the conveyor wheel, allowing irradiation during the transport phase when the device is stationary, reducing handling complexity and increasing performance by eliminating the need for separate transfer steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If products are transferred from bulk storage unit to receiving segments and then to sensor device, then checking function is achieved, but handling complexity increases and product damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor wheel integrates the bulk storage unit and receiving segments into a single structure. The receiving segments are directly formed as part of the conveyor wheel's circumference, eliminating the need for separate transfer mechanisms between bulk storage and receiving areas. This merging reduces handling steps and structural complexity while maintaining the checking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor wheel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the bulk storage unit and the receiving segments, and also functions as the conveying mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity and handling steps.
2Reliability
If products are transferred multiple times before irradiation, then irradiation function is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation function is integrated directly into the conveyor wheel structure. The sensor device is positioned to irradiate products while they remain in the receiving segments on the conveyor wheel, eliminating the need for separate transfer to a dedicated sensor station. This reduces the number of processing steps and increases throughput.
3Ease of operation
If receiving segments are separate from conveyor wheel, then product loading is simplified, but handling steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving segments are formed as integral parts of the conveyor wheel's circumference rather than separate attachable components. This integration maintains the ability to load products into receiving areas while eliminating the need for separate attachment and transfer operations, reducing handling steps without compromising loading functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10; 10a;10b; 10c; 50) for checking pharmaceutical products (1), in particular hard gelatin capsules, by means of at least one radiation source (30; 60) preferably embodied as an X-ray source, and a conveying device which conveys the products (1) in a clocked manner in a radiation area (31) of the radiation source (30; 60). The radiation emitted by the radiation source (30; 60) penetrating the products (1) preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axes thereof (2), and the radiation is captured on the side of the products (1) opposite the radiation source (30) by means of at least one sensor element (35) which is coupled to an evaluation device (36). The invention is characterized in that the conveyor device is embodied as a conveyor wheel (15; 15a; 51) which can rotate in a stepped manner about an axis (12; 52), and the products (1) are arranged, while being conveyed in the radiation area (31), in receiving areas (28; 37; 56) of the conveyor wheel (15; 5a; 51).