Freeze-Drying Transfer Device with Laminar Flow and Detachable Carriage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current freeze-drying systems require inflexible rail-guided transfer cars, leading to longer loading times and difficulties in adapting to system expansions, while maintaining clean room conditions is challenging, especially when maintaining or modifying the transfer device.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device with a detachable lifting carriage and steering system that allows for flexible movement without a fixed rail system, equipped with a laminar flow device for clean room conditions, and navigation and energy supply systems for precise positioning and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rail-guided transfer car is used, then the transfer path is predetermined and stable, but the system lacks flexibility when expanding or supplementing the freeze-drying system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in system expansionVSAvoidrail system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer device is divided into a detachable lifting carriage and a support frame. The lifting carriage can be separated from the support frame, allowing independent maintenance, cleaning, and sterilization of components without disrupting the entire system. This segmentation enables flexible system expansion and modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device replaces the fixed rail system with a mobile lifting carriage that can be freely positioned and maneuvered. The lifting carriage can be driven to different locations and lifted to adjust heights, providing dynamic adaptability for system expansion and reconfiguration without requiring permanent rail infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the transfer car moves on a fixed rail route, then the path is predetermined, but loading times are extended and system adaptability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading timeVSAvoidtime for maintenance and cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting carriage and support frame are detachable, allowing the lifting carriage to be separated for rapid maintenance, cleaning, and sterilization. This reduces downtime and allows these activities to occur independently without moving the entire transfer device or disrupting freeze-drying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detachable coupling device connects the lifting carriage to the support frame, enabling quick attachment and detachment. This intermediary mechanism facilitates rapid reconfiguration and maintenance operations, minimizing time losses while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the laminar flow device operates continuously to maintain clean room conditions, then contamination is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclean room condition maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption of laminar flow device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable coupling device allows the laminar flow device to be quickly disconnected from the support frame. This enables the laminar flow device to be moved to a separate area for maintenance, cleaning, or sterilization without transporting the entire support frame, reducing energy consumption during these operations while maintaining clean room conditions during active use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables shorter loading times and increased flexibility in route definition, allowing for continuous clean room conditions and independent maintenance of components without disrupting operations, enhancing the adaptability of the freeze-drying system.

Implementation Method 1

the transfer car contains a laminar flow device arranged above the loading area for generating a laminar air flow in the loading area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentEP2166297B1Transfer device for a freeze drying plant
Publication Date: 2015.08.26 GEA LYOPHIL
  • EP2166297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2166297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2166297B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to enable short loading times with a flexible transfer device (10) for a freeze-drying system with at least one freeze-drying station (12) and at least one loading station (14, 16), wherein the transfer device (10) includes at least one support frame (18) with a loading area (22) and an electrically operated laminar flow device (28) for generating a laminar airflow (30) in the loading area (22), the transfer device (10) has a lifting trolley (16) which can be mechanically connected to the support frame for lifting and moving the support frame (18) and which has a drive motor and a steering device.