Rotary Carousel Conveyor Microwave Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting capsules containing granular or powder materials are slow and lack flexibility, leading to reduced productivity and risk of damage due to intermittent feeding and fixed tray arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a rotary carousel conveyor with swiveling supports and a microwave detector allows for continuous motion inspection of capsules, enabling contactless measurement and flexible positioning, reducing the risk of damage and increasing productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capsules are fed intermittently through check weighers for weighing inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based check weigher system with a microwave-based electromagnetic measurement system. The microwave detector measures capsule properties contactlessly while capsules move continuously through the inspection zone, eliminating the need to stop or slow down production for intermittent weighing inspections.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system enables continuous motion of capsules through the inspection zone rather than requiring intermittent stopping. The microwave detection occurs continuously as capsules pass through the measurement zone, maintaining production flow without interruption while still achieving inspection goals.
2Productivity
If capsule feeding speed is increased to overcome slow inspection, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to capsule damage from high accelerations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical handling and acceleration-based transport with a microwave electromagnetic field-based measurement system. This allows capsules to be inspected while moving at higher speeds without the mechanical stresses and vibrations that cause damage, as the measurement occurs through electromagnetic interaction rather than physical contact.
3Ease of operation
If support trays with fixed housing distribution are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, fixed-position support trays to a dynamic system where capsules are held in movable receptacles on the rotary carousel. The receptacles can be positioned at different angular locations and orientations, allowing flexible positioning and arrangement of capsules during inspection while maintaining ease of loading and handling through the rotary mechanism.
4Productivity
If contactless microwave measurement is implemented, then productivity is improved through continuous motion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microwave detection system that uses electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical contact for measurement. While this adds electromagnetic measurement components, it eliminates complex mechanical positioning, stopping, and positioning mechanisms required by traditional weighers, and enables continuous production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses microwave electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary to measure capsule properties without direct physical contact. The microwave detector sends electromagnetic waves through or around the capsules and analyzes the reflected or transmitted signals to determine properties such as weight, volume, or composition, enabling non-contact measurement.
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 enables continuous operation and increased productivity by allowing continuous motion inspection and flexible container handling, reducing the risk of damage and improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave detector provided with a measuring zone (410) through which said containers (100) pass in succession
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
An inspection device for inspecting containers (100) comprises a rotary conveyor (2), provided with a plurality of receiving cavities (5), and a measuring station (400) configured to inspect each container (100) while the container (100) is being supported and moved by the conveyor (2), wherein the conveyor (2) has continuous motion and the measuring station (400) comprises a microwave detector provided with a measuring zone (410) through which each container (100) passes in order to generate an information item relating to at least one of the following: weight of the container (100) as a whole or of the dose of product contained therein, type of product inside the container (100), presence of foreign bodies in the container (100).