Rotating Distributor Chamber for Clean Routing of Pharma Solids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distribution devices for substances, particularly pharmaceutical particulate solids, are structurally complex, expensive, difficult to use, and require manual disassembly for cleaning, leading to residue issues and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A distribution device with a process space and a rotating distributor element that allows for selective guidance of substances between inlet and outlet openings, enabling automatic cleaning without disassembly, using a combination of gravimetric and pneumatic transport and an inflatable seal for efficient sealing and rotation, along with a cleaning device for residue-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multi-way ball valve is used for distributing substances, then the distribution function is achieved, but the device must be removed for cleaning and considerable force is required to adjust it
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device is segmented into a process chamber and a separately accessible cleaning unit with nozzles. This allows the cleaning function to be applied to specific areas (inlet opening, outlet openings, internal surfaces) without requiring removal of the entire device or complex disassembly, thereby reducing cleaning complexity while maintaining distribution functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning unit with nozzles is introduced as an intermediary component that can be attached to or integrated with the process chamber. This intermediary cleaning system enables thorough cleaning of the distribution device without requiring removal of the main distribution components, thus improving ease of operation for cleaning while maintaining the distribution function.
2Productivity
If known distribution devices are used, then substance distribution is achieved, but material residue is carried into other chambers and crevices in sealing areas become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit with nozzles is extracted as a separate functional component that can be positioned to access all critical surfaces including sealing areas and crevices. This extracted cleaning system specifically targets and removes material residue that would otherwise be carried into other chambers or accumulate in hard-to-reach areas, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining distribution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning nozzles are positioned and configured to perform preliminary cleaning action on all surfaces including sealing areas and crevices before material distribution begins. This preliminary cleaning prevents material residue from being carried into other chambers or accumulating in contamination-prone areas, thus preventing contamination while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If distribution devices are designed for thorough cleaning, then residue-free cleaning is possible, but the devices must be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is merged with the process chamber to form an integrated distribution device. The nozzles are positioned to access all internal surfaces, inlet openings, and outlet openings directly. This merged design enables residue-free cleaning completeness while eliminating the need for disassembly, thereby improving ease of operation for cleaning while maintaining thorough cleaning capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating distributor element is used for selective guidance, then flexible substance routing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating distributor element serves multiple functions: it selectively guides substances to different outlet openings for flexible routing, and it also facilitates cleaning by allowing access to all surfaces. This multi-functional design achieves routing flexibility while minimizing the increase in structural complexity by using a single rotating component for both distribution and cleaning access.
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 provides a compact, cost-effective, and efficient means to guide and clean substances without manual intervention, preventing residue accumulation and contamination, while allowing for complex routing and residue-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
The distributor element is arranged to rotate around a rotational axis. Rotation around this axis allows the various outlet openings, or outlet and inlet openings, to be accessed, thus enabling selective flow of the substances.
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning unit can automatically introduce a cleaning agent into the process chamber and the distribution element, thus eliminating the need for manual cleaning
Implementation Method 3
The substances are preferably transported gravimetrically or pneumatically
Implementation Method 4
The substances are preferably transported gravimetrically or pneumatically. A combination of gravimetric and pneumatic transport is also possible.
Implementation Method 5
The seal is inflatable and designed to create a material-tight seal between the distributor element and the outlet opening by pressurizing it with compressed air
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a distributor device, to a method for guiding materials, and to a method for cleaning a distributor device. The distributor device for guiding materials, in particular particulate pharmaceutical solids, comprises: a process chamber (2) having at least one inlet opening (3) and having at least two outlet openings (4), a distributor element (5) for distributing the materials, wherein the distributor element (5) extends through the process chamber (2) in order to connect the inlet opening (3) to one of the outlet openings (4), wherein the distributor element (5) is arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation (6), and a cleaning apparatus (7) which is configured to clean the process chamber (2) and the distributor element (5).