Pharmaceutical Container Rotator With Radially Movable Grippers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating devices for pharmaceutical containers face interference issues during 180° rotation due to the use of a large number of gripping arms, leading to reduced production capacity when processing longer syringes.
Innovation Solution
A rotating device with a configuration that includes a rotation group and a plurality of gripping groups, where some gripping groups are movable between two operating positions, allowing for 180° rotation without interference, and optimized angular sectors for smooth container transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of gripping arms are provided to ensure high production capacity, then productivity is improved, but mutual interference between containers during 180° rotation occurs, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping arms are made movable between a first position (proximal to rotation group) and a second position (distal from rotation group). During the 180° rotation operation, gripping arms move to the second position to eliminate interference, then return to the first position for container transfer. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between having many gripping arms for high productivity and avoiding mutual interference during rotation.
2Reliability
If the number of gripping arms is reduced to avoid mutual interference, then reliability is improved, but production capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the number of gripping arms, the system dynamically repositions them during operation. The gripping arms move radially outward during rotation to prevent interference, allowing a high number of gripping arms to maintain both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping arms are moved from a fixed radial position to a variable radial position (first position proximal to rotation group, second position distal from rotation group). This adds a radial movement dimension, allowing gripping arms to be spaced apart during rotation without reducing the total number of gripping arms, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Area of stationary object
If gripping arms are positioned close to the rotation group to minimize plan dimensions, then area is reduced, but interference during rotation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping arms dynamically change their radial position based on operational requirements. During container transfer, they are in the first position (proximal to rotation group) to minimize plan dimensions. During 180° rotation, they move to the second position (distal from rotation group) to prevent interference. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between compact footprint and interference-free operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating device for moving containers for pharmaceutical use includes a rotation group configured to be controlled in rotation about a vertical rotation axis and a plurality of gripping groups associated with the rotation group and arranged about the vertical rotation axis. Each gripping group is configured to support at least one of the containers and is rotatable about a respective horizontal rotation axis. At least some first gripping groups are movable between a first operating position in which each first gripping group is in a position proximal to the rotation group and a second operating position in which said first gripping group is in a distal position from the rotation group.