Curved Guide Segmentation for Container Carrier Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container transportation devices are complex, do not allow continuous transportation, and have difficulties with dismantling and cleaning, particularly in sterilization processes, due to inadequate design of guides and connections between container carriers and guides.
Innovation Solution
A device with simple, curved guides that connect to linear guides, allowing continuous transportation and easy dismantling for cleaning, featuring detachable container carriers with recesses for secure holding and easy exchange, and drive wheels for smooth 180° deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex guide systems with multiple components are used to transport containers, then the containers can be securely guided and transported, but the device complexity increases and dismantling for cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is divided into separate modular components: linear guides for straight transport and curved guides for directional changes. These segments can be independently assembled and disassembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure guidance functionality at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between container carriers and guides is made detachable rather than permanent. Container carriers can be quickly connected to and disconnected from the guide system, allowing for easy dismantling and cleaning while maintaining secure guidance during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed guide systems are used to ensure precise guidance of container carriers, then guidance precision is improved, but the ease of dismantling for cleaning and sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented into removable modules that can be detached for cleaning. Each segment maintains precise guidance capabilities through its design, but can be separated from the overall system when cleaning or sterilization is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fixed to dynamic connections, where container carriers and guide components can be easily attached and detached. This allows precise guidance during operation while enabling quick dismantling for maintenance and cleaning purposes.
3Device complexity
If step-by-step transportation methods are used as in known devices, then the device structure can be simplified, but productivity decreases due to inability to transport continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is designed to enable continuous movement of container carriers through the processing stations. The combination of linear and curved guides creates a continuous path, eliminating the need to stop and reposition carriers, thus maintaining productivity while keeping the structure relatively simple.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional guide rail connections are used, then the guides can be easily assembled, but they do not allow for smooth arcing transitions during direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system separates linear transport functions from curving transition functions into distinct components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - linear guides for easy assembly and curved guides for smooth transitions - while working together as an integrated system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has container carriers (11) for accommodating containers e.g. vials. Two parallel guidances (14, 15) run forward and backward to the carriers in a transverse direction at a distance from each other. A changing device is provided to change one of the carriers from one guidance into another guidance. The carrier is arranged between the guidances and a driving wheel (39) is engaged at the carrier to transport the container. The changing device includes a curved guidance (22), which is attached at the guidances and lead into a curve from the former guidance to the latter guidance.