Magnetic Drive Weighing System for Pharmaceutical Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing systems for containers lack flexibility and cleanliness, leading to inefficiencies and reduced accuracy, particularly in pharmaceutical applications, where mechanical connections and fixed routes complicate the process and increase particle emissions and wear.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic drive system with a movable and rotatable mover on a planar drive surface allows for non-contact movement and flexible routing of containers, enabling sequential process steps to be optimized, reducing particle emissions, and improving cleanability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical drive systems with fixed routes are used, then containers can be transported reliably, but the system lacks flexibility and generates particle emissions and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive systems (rollers, belts, chains) with a magnetic field-based drive system. The mover contains permanent magnets that interact with electromagnetic coils in the drive surface to generate motion through electromagnetic forces, eliminating mechanical contact and associated wear and particle emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fixed mechanical routes to dynamically programmable paths. The control unit can assign different drive patterns to movers, allowing container routing to be changed software-defined rather than hardware-constrained, enabling flexible adaptation to different process requirements
2Ease of operation
If mechanical connections between drive and container transport are used, then containers can be moved, but cleanability is reduced due to difficult-to-clean mechanical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic drive system eliminates mechanical connections between the drive mechanism and container transport. The mover interacts with the drive surface through magnetic fields only, maintaining a constant air gap with no physical contact points that would accumulate contamination or require disassembly for cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes all mechanical transmission elements (gears, belts, couplings) from the container transport path. Only the magnetic field interaction remains, creating a cleanable system with smooth surfaces and no hidden crevices where contamination could persist
3Productivity
If sequential process steps are used, then weighing can be performed, but the process is rigid and cannot be optimized for different container conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed sequential process steps with dynamic, condition-based routing. The control unit monitors container status and dynamically adjusts mover paths, allowing containers to be directed to different stations based on real-time conditions, enabling both high throughput and process flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic drive surface and movers serve multiple functions: they can transport containers to different destinations, perform weighing operations, and adapt routing based on container conditions. The same hardware infrastructure supports diverse process sequences without requiring dedicated mechanical pathways for each operation type
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
The system enhances flexibility and accuracy by allowing containers to be moved without mechanical contact, reducing wear and improving the ability to handle a higher volume of containers without output reduction, while also extending the system's lifespan and enabling precise control over container handling.
Implementation Method 1
The mover (20) is designed to be movable and/or rotatable on the drive surface (13) in at least two degrees of freedom and to be magnetically coupleable to the drive surface (13)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a device for weighing a receptacle, comprising at least one weighing mechanism (54, 56) for weighing at least one receptacle (36), at least one receptacle holder (38) for conveying the receptacle (36) relative to the weighing mechanism (54, 56), at least one driving surface (13), and at least one mover (20) that can be coupled to the driving surface (13) especially by magnetic forces; the mover (20) is arranged so as to be slidable and/or rotatable in at least two degrees of freedom on the driving surface (13), and the receptacle holder (38) is disposed on the mover (20).