Sealing Platen Control Using Multiple Servo Motors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for making medical pouches from laminate film face issues with cost, complexity, and the risk of fracturing due to unbalanced force application, as they rely on force feedback and a single servo motor, which does not account for material properties or prevent excessive force.

Innovation Solution

A machine with multiple servo motors to control the sealing platen, incorporating a calibration routine and position feedback to prevent fracturing, without relying on force feedback, allowing for precise control of the sealing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a single servo motor with force feedback is used to control the sealing platen, then force control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to add-on force transducer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce control capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the force feedback component from the control system. Instead of using force feedback with a single servo motor, the invention uses position feedback from the servo motor to control platen position, eliminating the need for add-on force transducers and reducing system complexity while maintaining sealing control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical force feedback system with an electronic position feedback system. By using the servo motor's built-in position feedback capability instead of mechanical force sensing, the system achieves control without additional mechanical sensors, reducing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a single servo motor is used to drive the sealing platen, then device simplicity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to unbalanced platen force distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidsealing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single servo motor system into multiple servo motors (at least two) that independently control different portions of the sealing platen. This segmentation allows each motor to be controlled separately based on position feedback, ensuring uniform force distribution across the platen and improving sealing precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different control strategies for different portions of the sealing platen by using multiple servo motors. Each motor can be independently controlled to apply the appropriate force at its specific location, ensuring uniform sealing quality across the entire platen surface rather than relying on a single centralized control point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If force feedback control is used to account for material variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial variation compensationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses position feedback from the servo motor to control platen position and sealing force. By relying on the servo motor's built-in position feedback capability rather than external force sensors, the system maintains adaptability to material variations while avoiding the complexity and cost of add-on force transducers and force feedback control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If excessive force is applied to ensure adequate sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but harmful effects increase due to laminate film fracturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidfilm fracturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical force application control with electronic position-based control. By using servo motors with position feedback to control platen position and movement, the system applies only the necessary force for adequate sealing without excessive force that could cause film fracturing, eliminating the need for mechanical force sensing and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10245813B2Method and apparatus for making sealed pouches

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 CMD CORP

AI summary

A method and apparatus for making pouches is disclosed. It includes using one or more of the following features: using two servo motors to drive a platen, providing a calibration routine is run at start-up and/or after the machine has been operating; controlling in response to feed back from the servo motor(s) such as feedback indicative of the distance the platen travels; the feedback is not of force exerted by the platen; and/or the platen is controlled to prevent unacceptable fracturing of the film laminate.