Conveyor System Endless String Vial Transport Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems in clean rooms, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, face challenges with dust production due to friction between components and the risk of micro-cracks in vials, which complicates maintaining high air purity standards.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor system utilizing an endless string instead of a chain belt, with pulleys and guiding side walls to minimize friction and dust, and featuring a channel bottom with a slit to reduce contact and support blocks for stability, allowing for efficient vial transport while maintaining cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If plastic chain belts are used to transport vials, then the conveyor system can handle and transport the products, but dust is produced due to friction between chain elements and between vials and the belt surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial transport capabilityVSAvoiddust production

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical chain belt system with an air cushion-based transport system. Blowers generate air flow that creates a cushion between the vials and the conveyor surface, eliminating direct mechanical contact and friction. This substitution of mechanical contact with aerodynamic support resolves the dust generation problem while maintaining transport functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using blowers to generate air flow that lifts and transports vials through an air cushion. The air flow creates a non-contact support mechanism, replacing the solid-chain contact system. This pneumatic approach eliminates friction-based dust generation while enabling effective vial transport through the clean room environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If vials are transported on a chain belt conveyor, then the conveyor system can move products along the trajectory, but micro-cracks may occur in the glass or plastic due to friction and contact during handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial transport capabilityVSAvoidvial integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact transport with an air cushion-based system. The air flow generated by blowers creates a non-contact support that carries vials along the trajectory without physical friction or impact from chain elements. This eliminates the mechanical stresses that cause micro-cracks, preserving vial integrity while maintaining transport efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium between the conveyor system and the vials. Instead of direct contact between vials and the chain belt, the air cushion acts as a mediator that transfers the transport function without physical contact. This intermediary layer prevents friction-induced damage and micro-crack formation on the vial surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If plastic chain belts are used in clean rooms, then the conveyor system can operate within strict air quality limits, but the chain belt produces plastic particles and glass particles that contaminate the clean room environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclean room compatibilityVSAvoidparticle contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical chain belt system with an air cushion transport mechanism that operates without direct contact between moving parts and vials. This substitution eliminates the source of plastic and glass particle generation, allowing the conveyor to operate within clean room environments without compromising air quality standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the air flow, which could potentially be a source of contamination, into a beneficial air cushion that protects vials from contact-based contamination. The same air movement that could lift particles instead creates a protective barrier between the conveyor system and the vials, preventing particle generation while maintaining clean room integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Significantly reduces dust production, enhances cleanliness, and allows for easier maintenance and cost-effective replacement of components, ensuring the integrity of vials during transport in clean room environments.

Implementation Method 1

Since the vials are carried on an endless string, and not on a chain belt, as is the case in the prior art, there is a relatively important reduction of friction and thus of dust production.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3922584A1Conveyor system

Publication Date: 2021.12.15 FT SOLUTIONS

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AI summary

Conveyor system for conveying vials along a trajectory comprising an endless string, at least two pulleys configured to engage said endless string, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate at least one of said at least two pulleys so that the endless string rotates about the at least two pulleys, and guiding side walls configured to guide the vials along the trajectory of the conveyor system.