Pantograph Bottle Loading Mechanism for Lyophilization Chambers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing translation means in lyophilization and sterilization machines are bulky, mechanically and electronically complex, require frequent maintenance, and pose dust and fume emission issues, particularly in pharmaceutical environments.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising limited feed means and pantograph mechanisms to efficiently move bottles from an arrival plane to a deposit plane within the treatment chamber, using pneumatic or mechanical pistons and motor-driven worm screws to facilitate compact, low-maintenance, and dust-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional translation means (pistons, motion feed cables, auxiliary translators) are used to move bottles from arrival plane to deposit plane, then the bottles can be translated into the treatment chamber, but the device becomes bulky, mechanically and electronically complex, requiring frequent maintenance and producing dust emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical translation means (pistons, cables, auxiliary translators) with a robotic arm system that uses motorized joints and control electronics to perform bottle translation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages and motion feed cables, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining translation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it can translate bottles from the arrival plane to the deposit plane, extract bottles from the treatment chamber, and potentially handle different bottle configurations. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate translation means, auxiliary thrust means, and extraction mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If conventional translation means are used to translate rows of bottles onto the deposit plane, then the bottles can be loaded into the treatment chamber, but the device requires frequent maintenance and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm with motorized joints replaces mechanical components like pistons and motion feed cables that require frequent maintenance. The motorized system with enclosed joints and lack of external mechanical linkages reduces wear and tear, minimizing maintenance requirements while maintaining continuous bottle loading capability.
3Productivity
If conventional translation means are used to move bottles into the treatment chamber, then the bottles can be positioned on the deposit plane, but the device emits dust and fumes which is problematic in pharmaceutical environments
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm system replaces mechanical translation means that generate dust through friction and wear. The motorized joints and controlled movement of the robotic arm eliminate the dust-generating mechanical interactions, while the lack of pneumatic systems eliminates fume emissions, making the system suitable for pharmaceutical environments.
4Productivity
If auxiliary thrust means are added to enable complete translation of bottle rows onto the deposit plane, then all bottles can be loaded into the treatment chamber, but the device becomes even more bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is designed with sufficient stroke length and positioning capability to perform the complete translation of bottle rows from the arrival plane to the deposit plane in a single operation. This eliminates the need for auxiliary thrust means that would add bulk, while the motorized system maintains control precision throughout the full range of motion.
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 solution simplifies the bottle translation process, reducing maintenance needs and dust emission, while ensuring efficient loading and unloading of bottles into the treatment chamber, enhancing operational reliability in pharmaceutical settings.
Implementation Method 1
The limited feed means can be pneumatic pistons or oil pressure pistons or mechanical feed pistons
Implementation Method 2
motor-driven worm screws to facilitate compact, low-maintenance, and dust-free operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device to introduce bottles (20) into a lyophilization chamber (15) of a lyophilization machine (14) provided at least with an arrival plane (22) of the bottles (20) and with a deposit plane (16) inside the lyophilization chamber (15) comprises at least limited feed means (12, 13) cooperating with a thruster bar (11) to move it along an approach travel in the direction from the arrival plane (22) to said deposit plane (16). The introduction device also comprises pantograph means (23) connected to the limited feed means (12, 13) and to the thruster bar (11) and configured to extend with respect to the limited feed means (12, 13) and toward the deposit plane (16), at least by the defined amount necessary to introduce the bottles (20) completely into the lyophilization chamber (15).