Vertically Displaceable Wall Sections for Star Wheel Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical switch devices for transfer points between star wheels are inefficient due to high inertia and risk of blocking by dirt, limiting throughput and requiring large object distances, making them unsuitable for clean environments like pharmaceutical isolators.
Innovation Solution
A switch device with vertically displaceable wall sections, driven by mechanisms like servomotors, which allows for closer object spacing and reduced risk of blocking, enabling higher throughput and safe operation in contaminated environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece pivotable guide element is used to ensure sufficient guidance of objects, then object guidance reliability is improved, but the device inertia increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is divided into multiple individual guide sections (first guide section, second guide section, third guide section) that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows shorter guide elements to be used, reducing inertia and increasing throughput while maintaining reliable object guidance through coordinated activation of multiple sections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a long guide element is used to prevent object tilting during transfer, then object stability is improved, but the minimum distance between objects increases, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is segmented into multiple guide sections that can be activated independently. This allows the system to provide stability support only where and when needed during the transfer process, rather than requiring a continuously long guide element, thereby reducing the minimum object distance and increasing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide sections are made dynamically controllable through independent actuation mechanisms. This dynamic control allows the system to activate only the necessary guide sections for each object transfer, reducing the effective guide length required and allowing objects to be placed closer together while maintaining stability.
3Ease of operation
If a pivotable guide element is used for switching, then the switching function is achieved, but the risk of blocking by dirt or object fragments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is divided into multiple independently actuated guide sections. This segmentation eliminates the need for large pivotable movements, as each section can be actuated independently with smaller, more controlled movements. This reduces the risk of blocking by dirt or object fragments while maintaining the switching function.
4Reliability
If vacuum-operated switching devices are used for reliable operation with small object spacing, then switching reliability is improved, but contamination risk in cleanrooms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum-operated switching mechanism is replaced with a purely mechanical switching device that uses magnetically actuated guide sections. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum systems, hoses, and pumps that could introduce contamination, while maintaining reliable switching operation through magnetic coupling between actuator elements and guide sections.
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 increases output capacity by allowing closer object placement and reduces the risk of device blocking, ensuring reliable and efficient operation even in sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
a switch device with vertically displaceable wall sections, driven by mechanisms like servomotors
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2d~2e
AI summary
The invention relates to a switch device for a transfer point (C) between a first and a second rotatable star wheel (20, 30), wherein objects (B1 - B8) can be transferred selectively from the first star wheel (20) to the second star wheel (30) at the transfer point. The invention is characterized in that the switch device comprises: a lower base (12) at least in the region of the transfer point (C) for supporting the objects (B1 - B8) being transported by the star wheels; a first and a second wall section (40, 50), each wall section running in the region of the transfer point (C) so as to substantially follow the outer periphery of the first or second star wheel (20, 30) and being movable in the vertical direction between a first position, in which the walls extend beyond the lower base (12), and a second position, in which the walls do not extend beyond the lower base (12); at least one drive mechanism for driving the movement of the wall sections (40, 50); and a controller for actuating the at least one drive mechanism. The first and the second wall section (40, 50) can be moved vertically in an individual manner by the at least one drive mechanism.