Individually Actuated Pneumatic Capsule Ejectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule ejection systems often result in an undesirably high rate of rejection due to the simultaneous ejection of all capsules when an unacceptable one is identified, and there is a need for individual capsule removal with limited installation space and high operational reliability, especially when capsule receptacles are closely arranged.
Innovation Solution
A device with independently actuable pneumatic ejectors and a shared limiter element with a cyclical lifting drive allows for precise control of capsule ejection, enabling individual and reliable ejection of unacceptable capsules while maintaining the operational reliability of the system, even in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all ejectors are driven and moved jointly to eject capsules, then the device structure remains simple, but the rejection rate becomes unacceptably high when even one capsule is defective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ejector system into individually controllable segments. Each ejection station has its own ejector that can be actuated independently through separate control lines, allowing selective ejection of only defective capsules rather than forcing ejection of all capsules in the holder.
2Productivity
If individual ejectors are actuated independently to eject only defective capsules, then the rejection rate decreases, but the device complexity increases due to multiple drive units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from a centralized drive system and distributes it to individual ejectors through separate control lines. This allows independent actuation of each ejector based on defect detection, achieving selective ejection without requiring a completely new complex drive architecture.
3Area of stationary object
If capsule receptacles are arranged closely to maximize space utilization, then the installation space is optimized, but individual ejection becomes more difficult due to limited space for drive units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement of drive units beside each receptacle to vertical placement above the receptacles. The ejectors extend downward from above, allowing compact horizontal arrangement of receptacles while maintaining individual ejection capability through the vertical dimension.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple rows of capsule receptacles are arranged in the capsule holder, then the capsule holding capacity increases, but the space available for individual ejector drives decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical ejection paths from above to serve multiple rows of receptacles. A single ejector positioned above can service multiple receptacles in different rows by ejecting capsules vertically upward, thereby supporting increased capsule capacity without proportionally increasing drive unit volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for ejecting at least one capsule from a capsule holder. The capsule holder has at least two capsule receptacles for, in each case, one capsule. The device comprises: at least two ejectors, each of the ejectors being configured to eject a respective one of the capsules from the corresponding one of the receptacles; a drive unit configured to actuate the at least two ejectors independently of each other in an ejection direction and in an opposite return direction; the drive unit having a pneumatic actuating cylinder for each ejector; the pneumatic actuating cylinders being individually actuatable as a drive for respective ones of the at least two ejectors; a limiter element which is provided jointly for a plurality of the at least two ejectors and which has a cyclical lifting drive; and, each ejector being assigned a stop acting in the return direction for the limiter element.