Inductive Feed System for Lyophilizer Slider Energy Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy feed systems for lyophilization machines in the pharmaceutical sector are bulky, costly, and generate dust, fumes, or magnetic forces, complicating maintenance and cleaning, and creating interference with lyophilized substances, while energy accumulation means require recharging and increase production costs.

Innovation Solution

A static energy feed system that supplies electric energy to sliders within the lyophilization chamber using insulated pathways or wireless induction coils, allowing for continuous energy transfer without mobile energy sources, reducing interference and simplifying maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If mechanical cables or electric cables are used to supply power to sliders, then energy can be transmitted to moving parts, but dust, fumes, magnetic forces, and cleaning complexity are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply to sliderVSAvoiddust, fumes, magnetic forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cable-based power transmission with a magnetic field-based inductive coupling system. Primary coils are mounted on the stationary slider support structure, while secondary coils are mounted on the movable slider. Electrical energy is transmitted wirelessly through magnetic induction between these coils, eliminating the need for physical cable connections that generate dust, fumes, and magnetic interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If energy accumulation means are installed on board the slider, then mobile energy supply is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile energy supplyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy accumulation function from the movable slider and relocates it to the stationary support structure. The primary coils mounted on the stationary structure serve as the energy source, eliminating the need for batteries or capacitors on the slider itself. This extraction simplifies the moving components while maintaining continuous energy supply through inductive coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If command and control means are interfaced with cables, then communication is established, but electromagnetic disturbances are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces cable-based communication with wireless communication using antennas mounted on the slider and corresponding receivers on the stationary structure. This substitution eliminates the electromagnetic interference that would be generated by cable connections while maintaining full communication capability for controlling slider operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution simplifies slider movement, reduces maintenance and production costs, and minimizes interference with lyophilized substances by providing a reliable and interference-free energy supply within the lyophilization chamber.

Implementation Method 1

The feed means are at least one pathway (14) of the lyophilization machine (10) along which the slider (18) is mobile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The feed means are at least one pathway (14) of the lyophilization machine (10) along which the slider (18) is mobile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3011242B1Feed system in a lyophilization machine for the pharmaceutical sector
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 IMA IND MASCH AUTOMATICHE SPA
  • EP3011242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3011242B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3011242B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Feed system provided with feed means (14, 1 14, 214) located inside a lyophilization chamber (21) and able at least to supply electric energy to a slider (18), autonomously mobile at least inside the lyophilization chamber (21), and to the possible other internal components which need the energy present in or associated to the slider (18). The feed means (14, 114, 214, 30) are positioned along the travel of the slider (18) and cooperate with energy receiver means (20, 120, 220, 31) associated to the slider (18), being static at least during the loading and unloading steps of at least a loading plane (13).