Containment Means With Tub-Shaped Base Space For Automated Pharma Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containment systems for automated production of pharmaceutical or biotechnical articles suffer from increased error rates due to undesired particle development from abrasion and disturbance of laminar airflow, necessitating a design that reduces particle generation and minimizes airflow disruption while allowing modular adaptation for specific production requirements.
Innovation Solution
The design features a containment means with a tub-shaped base space and a process space above it, where robots with pivotable manipulating elements can move within a defined range, incorporating transfer regions, process units, and modular exchange modules to handle article parts efficiently, while the base space's inclined bottom face aids in airflow removal and the system is configured to maintain clean-room classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conveyor belts and carousel conveyors are installed in the containment means for transporting article parts, then productivity is improved through automated transport, but particle generation from abrasion increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes conveyor belts and carousel conveyors from the containment means, extracting the particle-generating transport mechanism entirely. Instead, article parts are transported through the containment means on robot arms or in containers held by robots, eliminating the source of abrasion particles while maintaining automated transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical conveyor belt system is replaced with a robotic manipulation system. Robots with manipulating elements grasp and transport article parts directly, substituting the continuous mechanical contact of conveyor belts with discrete robotic handling, thereby eliminating abrasion-induced particle generation.
2Ease of manufacture
If process units and transport means are installed in the containment means, then manufacturing capability is improved, but laminar airflow is disturbed and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment means is divided into a base space and a process space. The base space houses robots and process units, while the process space maintains laminar airflow for clean-room operations. This spatial segmentation allows manufacturing equipment to coexist with clean-room requirements by separating particle-generating activities from the sterile environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer region serves as an intermediary zone between the base space (with robots) and the process space (with laminar airflow). Article parts are transferred to and from this intermediate region, allowing robotic manipulation without directly disrupting the laminar airflow in the main process space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple process units are installed in the containment means for comprehensive article production, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot with manipulating elements performs multiple functions: gripping article parts, transporting them between process units, positioning them for processing, and inspecting them. This universal robot system replaces multiple specialized mechanisms, achieving production flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm with pivotable manipulating elements provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the same robot to service multiple process units at different locations and heights. This dynamic adaptability enables comprehensive article production with a single reconfigurable system rather than multiple fixed installations.
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
This configuration reduces error rates by minimizing particle generation and airflow disruption, enhancing the modular adaptability of the system for various production needs, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of pharmaceutical or biotechnical article production.
Implementation Method 1
the laminar airflow guided through the work chamber is disturbed to a lesser extent
Data Source
AI summary
A containment system and assembly for the automated production of pharmaceutical or biotechnical articles is provided. The containment system has a housing within which there is an inner chamber having at least one through opening. One or more robots are installed in the chamber, which have a manipulating element on the pivotable arms, which can move within a pivot range. One or more process units are installed in the chamber for the production of the articles. The chamber includes a process space for the production of the articles and a tub-shaped base space for anchoring the feet of the robots to the side surfaces inside the base space. The manipulating element functions as a gripping and transportation device for inspecting the articles or article parts and/or for the production of the articles.