Lateral Capsule Weighing Receiver for High-Speed Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule weighing devices require complex and time-consuming movement sequences, limiting the cycle time of capsule filling machines, especially during one-hundred percent quality checks, and are prone to measurement inaccuracies due to mechanical and environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
A capsule weighing device with a lateral capsule measuring receiver and a continuous capsule measuring channel featuring a releasable locking mechanism, allowing capsules to be inserted and removed vertically without direction change, and an electrically shielded channel to minimize external interference, enabling precise weighing with reduced device expenditure and cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capsules are weighed using a traditional receiver that requires complex movement sequences, then weighing can be performed, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule receiver is positioned laterally next to the measuring unit rather than above it, changing the spatial arrangement from vertical to horizontal. This allows capsules to be weighed in their upright position without requiring complex movement sequences, thereby reducing cycle time while maintaining weighing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing function is extracted from the complex movement sequence and integrated into a simple lateral positioning system. The capsule remains in its upright position throughout the process, and only the receiver needs to move laterally to the measuring unit, eliminating unnecessary vertical movements and direction changes.
2Measurement precision
If capsules undergo complex movement sequences including changes in direction, then they can be positioned for weighing, but mechanical demands increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the receiver laterally and allowing capsules to move only in the horizontal direction rather than through vertical lifting and rotation, the mechanical complexity is reduced. This single-direction movement minimizes mechanical stress and the risk of malfunction, thereby improving reliability while maintaining weighing accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If traditional weighing methods are used, then capsules can be weighed, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral positioning of the receiver simplifies the device structure by eliminating the need for complex vertical lifting mechanisms and rotation systems. This straightforward horizontal movement design reduces the number of components and simplifies manufacturing, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
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 quick and precise capsule weighing with minimized mechanical and electrostatic interference, allowing for efficient tare-gross weighing operations and real-time sorting of capsules, significantly reducing cycle times and ensuring high-precision measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a capsule measuring channel (6) which is continuous in the weight force direction and receives or guides through a capsule (1)
Implementation Method 2
an electrically shielded channel to minimize external interference
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a capsule weighing device and to a capsule filling device having at least one such capsule weighing device. The capsule weighing device includes a measuring unit and a capsule measuring receiver for holding a capsule. The capsule measuring receiver is positioned at the side of the measuring unit with reference to the weight force direction and includes a capsule measuring channel which is continuous in the weight force direction and has a releasable locking mechanism for the capsule. The capsule filling device may include a receiving station for empty capsules and ejection station for filled capsules, wherein a first capsule weighing device is arranged on the input side of the receiving station for tare weighing, and wherein a second capsule weighing device is arranged on the output side of the ejection station for gross weighing.