Sterilizer Interval-Adjusting Mechanism for Dose Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron beam sterilizers face challenges in efficiently sterilizing articles with different processing capacities without increasing the output energy, leading to higher running costs and inconsistent absorbed doses due to varying container sizes and production capacities.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizer with an interval-altering mechanism and a controller that switches between drive modes to adjust the conveyance interval of articles, allowing for the same gripper interval to be used for both high and low-capacity containers, thereby maintaining a consistent absorbed dose without increasing electron beam output energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport speed of the rotating wheel is increased to match high production capacity articles, then productivity is improved, but the absorbed dose per article decreases leading to insufficient sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gripper interval adjustable rather than fixed. The interval-altering means dynamically changes the spacing between grippers based on the article type being processed, allowing the system to adapt transport characteristics to maintain optimal sterilization conditions across different production capacities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of gripper interval to resolve the contradiction. By altering the interval between grippers according to article type, the system adjusts the effective transport speed and exposure time in the irradiation area, ensuring consistent absorbed dose while accommodating different production capacities
2Reliability
If the output energy of the electron beam is increased to maintain absorbed dose at high transport speeds, then sterilization effectiveness is maintained, but running cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transport parameter (gripper interval) rather than the energy parameter (electron beam output). By adjusting the interval between grippers, the system maintains optimal exposure time and absorbed dose without needing to increase electron beam energy, thereby avoiding increased running costs
3Device complexity
If the gripper interval is set for large containers to prevent interference, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases when processing small containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static gripper interval configuration into a dynamic, adjustable system. The interval-altering means enables the gripper spacing to be modified based on container size, allowing optimal spacing for small containers when needed while maintaining a simple base configuration for large containers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal gripper interval system that can handle both large and small containers effectively. By incorporating the interval-altering means, a single gripper configuration can serve multiple functions across different container types, eliminating the need for separate fixed configurations
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
This solution enables efficient sterilization of articles with different processing capacities by adjusting the conveyance interval, reducing the time spent in the irradiation area and suppressing the output energy of the electron beam, while maintaining effective sterilization even at high processing capacities.
Implementation Method 1
an radiation emission unit having an irradiation window for emitting radiation to the an article
Data Source
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AI summary
A sterilizer, comprising an article-transporting means for holding articles by article-holding members and transporting the articles; a sterilizing chamber housing the article-transporting means; a radiation emission unit having an irradiation window for emitting radiation to the article; an interval-altering means for altering a conveyance interval of the articles delivered to the article-transporting means, and the interval-altering means is provided on the upstream side of the article-transporting means; and a controller for controlling the operation of the sterilizer; wherein the controller can switch drive mode between a first-sterilizing drive mode and a second-sterilizing drive mode; in the first-sterilizing drive mode, the interval-altering means delivers the articles to the article transport means at an interval that is an integral multiple of the interval of the article holding members; and in the second-sterilizing drive mode, the interval-altering means delivers the articles to the article transport means at an interval that is equal to the interval of the article-holding members.