Linear Motor Actuation for Aseptic Bottling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottling apparatuses for aseptic conditions of thermoplastic containers face structural complexity and laborious maintenance due to the use of magnetic units for moving mobile organs, which complicates the prevention of microbiological contamination and requires careful alignment of forces.
Innovation Solution
A bottling apparatus utilizing a linear motor with a cylindrical stator and a magnetic shaft, where the rotor is slidably mounted within the stator, and supports with grooves or channels allow sanitizing fluid to flow, simplifying the actuation of mobile organs and reducing structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic units are used to move the stretching rod from outside the isolator, then the stretching rod can be actuated without breaking aseptic conditions, but the device becomes structurally complex and maintenance becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic coupling mechanism with a linear motor system. The linear motor uses electromagnetic fields to directly drive the stretching rod, eliminating the need for external magnetic units and their associated complex sealing and alignment requirements. This substitution maintains aseptic conditions while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the actuation mechanism from the external environment and places it inside the isolator. By positioning the linear motor within the contamination-controlled environment, the system eliminates the need for complex external magnetic coupling mechanisms, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining aseptic integrity
2Ease of operation
If magnetic units are used for actuation, then the stretching rod can be moved, but the moments generated by forces require careful alignment of various axes
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor system replaces the magnetic coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for precise alignment of magnetic axes. The linear motor directly generates linear motion through electromagnetic forces, removing the complex moment alignment requirements associated with external magnetic units
3Volume of moving object
If the first magnetic unit is arranged parallel to the stretching rod to prevent excessive bulk, then compactness is achieved, but careful management of moments and force alignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor replaces the parallel magnetic unit arrangement, eliminating the need to manage moments and force alignment. The linear motor inherently produces linear motion without requiring complex force management, achieving compactness without the associated complexity
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 enables accurate and quick movement of mobile organs within contamination-controlled environments, enhancing precision and reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining aseptic conditions, and allows for efficient sanitization of the actuation system.
Implementation Method 1
The movement of the rotor is obtained thanks to the coupling of two magnetic units: a first magnetic unit, external to the casing and activatable for example through a pneumatic cylinder or an electric motor, and a second magnetic unit, integrally connected to the stretching rod.
Implementation Method 2
In each of the supports at least one passage is obtained to allow a sanitising fluid to flow through the separation volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A bottling apparatus (200) in aseptic conditions of containers (100) made of a thermoplastic material, comprising: a stretching rod (5) partially located in a contamination-controlled environment (3) isolated from an external environment (4); a linear motor (6) comprising a cylindrical stator (7) and a rotor (8) integrally connected to the stretching rod (5); a first support (107) and a second support (207) for the rotor (8), arranged at opposite ends of the cylindrical stator (7) and integrally connected thereto, in each of the supports (107, 207) at least one passage (707, 807; 107a, 207a) being obtained to allow a sanitising fluid to pass through a separation volume (30) defined between the cylindrical stator (7) and the rotor (8).