A type of traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece dispensing unit machine with abnormal feeding detection

Abstract

This invention discloses a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction piece dispensing unit machine with abnormal feeding detection, belonging to the field of TCM decoction piece dispensing technology. The dispensing unit machine includes a frame, a dispensing and receiving hopper, multiple feeding devices, multiple guiding channels, and an abnormality detection controller. The feeding devices convey materials to the guiding channels, which then guide the materials into the dispensing and receiving hopper below. Multiple guiding channels are equipped with feeding sensors. The abnormality detection controller collects feeding information from each guiding channel within a preset time using the feeding sensors. When an abnormality occurs, the abnormality detection controller shuts off the power to the feeding devices and activates an alarm unit. This application's dispensing unit machine adds an abnormal feeding detection function, greatly improving the reliability of dispensing various herbs and effectively preventing incomplete ingredient preparation due to feeding failures in individual herbs. In particular, the use of a rotary scanning detection method improves the accuracy of abnormal feeding detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece preparation technology, specifically to a traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece preparation unit machine. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dispensing methods are cumbersome, time-consuming, and susceptible to human error, resulting in low efficiency and a high error rate. The quality of TCM decoction dispensing is affected by many factors and is difficult to control. From receiving the prescription, reviewing it, dispensing, verifying, packaging, labeling, to distributing the decoction to the patient, multiple steps are involved, each requiring extremely high accuracy, precision, and timeliness from the operators. Manual dispensing of TCM is prone to errors due to fatigue or differences in skill level. Inaccurate manual dispensing can lead to misidentification of the principal and auxiliary herbs, and serious deviations in the medicinal properties. Furthermore, dispensing personnel need to constantly move around to handle and dispense the herbs, requiring them to stand, resulting in high labor intensity.

[0003] The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine achieves rapid and accurate dispensing of herbal medicines through automated equipment. It not only performs standardized operations according to preset programs, ensuring consistency and stability in dispensing, but also offers advantages such as improved dispensing efficiency, reduced error rates, and convenient supervision, meeting the needs of different levels of businesses, including large hospitals, traditional Chinese medicine stores, and health product manufacturers. The existing invention patent document with publication number CN210896634U discloses a traditional Chinese medicine preparation and sample retention device, which describes the following: the bottom of the medicine hopper is provided with a slider, and the bottom plate is provided with a sliding groove that slides with the slider to allow the medicine hopper to slide with the bottom plate. The medicine hopper is provided with a vibration mechanism, which includes a fixed shell, push-pull rods, connecting rods, transmission rods, transmission discs, and a vibration motor. The fixed shell is located at the end of the medicine hopper away from the outlet, and the bottom of the fixed shell is fixedly connected to the bottom plate. Several push-pull rods are provided, and several push-pull rods slide through the fixed shell. One end of several push-pull rods is fixedly connected to the end of the medicine hopper away from the outlet, and the other end is located inside the fixed shell. The connecting rod is located inside the fixed shell, and each push-pull rod is fixedly connected to the connecting rod. One end of the transmission rod is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod, and the other end is rotatably connected to the eccentric circle of the transmission disc. The vibration motor is drivenly connected to the transmission disc. It uses a vibratory feeding method. Although the vibratory feeding speed is relatively fast, the accuracy of the feeding amount is low, and the vibration mechanism of the device is also relatively complex.

[0004] In particular, existing Chinese herbal medicine dispensing units generally share a single channel when feeding various ingredients. Some residual mixed materials may adhere to the shared channel, causing channel contamination. These mixed materials will affect the dispensing of Chinese herbal medicine in the next batch, thus affecting the efficacy of the medicine.

[0005] In addition, the Chinese herbal medicine dispensing unit machine has poor reliability in dispensing individual herbs. If a certain herb has a feeding failure, the ingredients may be incomplete. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traditional Chinese medicine dispensing unit machine with independent channels for each herb to detect abnormal feeding, which improves the reliability of dispensing each herb.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction piece dispensing unit machine with abnormal feeding detection includes a frame, a dispensing and receiving hopper, multiple feeding devices, multiple guiding channels, and an abnormality detection controller. The feeding devices are mounted on the frame, and the lower ends of the guiding channels are located above the dispensing and receiving hopper, while the upper ends are located below the discharge ports of the feeding devices. Each feeding device corresponds to one guiding channel. The feeding devices convey materials to the guiding channels, which then guide the materials into the dispensing and receiving hopper below. Each guiding channel is equipped with a feeding sensor. The abnormality detection controller collects feeding information from each guiding channel within a preset time period using the feeding sensors. When an abnormality occurs, the abnormality detection controller shuts off the power to the feeding devices and activates an alarm unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the feeding sensor includes a scanning drive motor, a rotating scanning ring, an infrared transmitter, and an infrared receiver. The anomaly detection controller is electrically connected to the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver. The infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are correspondingly mounted on the rotating scanning ring. The rotating scanning ring is mounted on the lower end of the material guide channel via bearings. The scanning drive motor drives the rotating scanning ring to rotate via a transmission mechanism. The rotating scanning ring drives the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver to rotate and scan around the cross-sectional area of ​​the material guide channel.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism includes an external gear ring and a transmission gear. The external gear ring is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating scanning ring. The external gear ring meshes with the transmission gear. The transmission gear is located on the output shaft of the scanning drive motor. The scanning drive motor is fixed on the material guide channel.

[0011] Furthermore, the alarm unit is an audible and visual alarm.

[0012] Furthermore, the feeding device includes a vibrating trough, and the discharge end of the vibrating trough is provided with a hooking device. The hooking device includes a drive motor, a rotating shaft, and a hooking rod. One end of the hooking rod is mounted on the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, and the output shaft of the drive motor is connected to one end of the rotating shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, a feed hopper A is provided above the vibrating trough, a stirring device is provided inside the feed hopper A, the material guiding channel is located below the weighing hopper A, and the weighing hopper A is located below the discharge end of the vibrating trough.

[0014] Furthermore, a pushing screw is provided inside the vibration groove. The pushing screw is driven by motor A. Motor A is electrically connected to a controller, which is used to control the rotational speed of motor A.

[0015] Furthermore, the feeding device includes a weighing hopper B, a vibrating feeding trough, a vibrating motor, a top cover, a frame, and a supporting vertical plate. The vibrating feeding trough is fixed on the vibrating motor, which is mounted on the frame. The weighing hopper B is mounted on the top cover, which is mounted on the supporting vertical plate and located above the vibrating feeding trough. The supporting vertical plate is fixed on the frame. A gap is left between the top cover and the vibrating feeding trough. The material guiding channel is located below the weighing hopper B, which is located below the discharge end of the vibrating feeding trough.

[0016] Furthermore, the feeding device also includes a feeding screw and a motor B. The feeding screw is installed on the bottom surface of the top cover and located in the vibrating feeding trough. The controller is used to control the rotation speed of the motor B, and the motor B is used to drive the feeding screw to rotate.

[0017] Furthermore, a baffle plate is added to the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough. The baffle plate is driven by a cylinder to open or close the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0019] The dispensing unit machine of this application has added the function of detecting abnormal feeding, which greatly improves the reliability of dispensing various medicines and effectively prevents the problem of incomplete ingredients due to feeding failure of individual medicines. In particular, the use of rotary scanning detection method improves the accuracy of abnormal feeding detection.

[0020] The dispensing unit of this application uses an independent channel to transport each herb. Each herb has its own dedicated channel, which prevents the herbs from mixing in the channel. This solves the problem that residual mixed materials in the channel can affect the next dispensing of Chinese herbal medicine and thus the efficacy of the medicine.

[0021] This application adopts a combination of vibration feeding and screw feeding. Vibration feeding is used to quickly feed the material from the weighing hopper B into the discharge hopper. When the material in the discharge hopper is close to the preset value, the vibration motor is turned off and the feeding screw is started to accurately feed the material into the discharge hopper. It has the characteristics of fast and accurate material discharge. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments in the drawings do not constitute any limitation on the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the following drawings without creative effort:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding sensor.

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The image shown is a 3D view after removing the mixing and receiving bucket and the material feeding sensor.

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding device for grasses and rhizomes.

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the sheet / granule feeding device.

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Side view of the top cover, vibrating feed trough and vibrating motor shown;

[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the sheet / granule feeding device shown.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Feed hopper; 2. Vibrating feed trough; 3. Feeding screw; 4. Motor B; 5. Vibrating motor; 6. Top cover; 7. Frame; 8. Supporting vertical plate; 9. Controller; 10. Spring; 11. Measuring hopper B; 12. Frame; 13. Mixing and collecting bin; 14. Flake and granular material feeding device; 15. Grass and root material feeding device; 16. Vibrating trough; 17. Drive motor; 18. Rotating shaft; 19. Hook rod; 20. 21. Feed hopper A; 22. Pushing screw; 23. Motor A; 24. Material guide channel; 25. Abnormal detection controller; 26. Measuring hopper A; 27. Transmission gear; 28. Mixing device; 29. ​​Alarm unit; 30. Discharge sensor; 31. Bearing; 32. Scanning drive motor; 33. Rotating scanning ring; 34. Infrared transmitter; 35. Infrared receiver; 36. External gear ring; 37. Baffle plate; 38. Cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper surface," "lower surface," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "forward," "reverse," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0033] like Figure 1 , 3 As shown, a traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece dispensing unit machine with abnormal feeding detection includes a frame 12, a dispensing and receiving hopper 13, multiple feeding devices, multiple guiding channels 23, and an abnormality detection controller 24. The multiple feeding devices are installed on the frame 12. The lower ends of the multiple guiding channels 23 are located above the dispensing and receiving hopper 13, and the upper ends of the multiple guiding channels 23 are respectively located below the discharge ports of the multiple feeding devices. One feeding device corresponds to one guiding channel 23. The feeding device conveys the material to the guiding channel, and the guiding channel 23 guides the material into the dispensing and receiving hopper 13 below.

[0034] A feeding sensor 29 is provided at the lower end of each feeding channel 23. The abnormality detection controller 24 collects the feeding information of each feeding channel through the feeding sensor 29 within a preset time. When the feeding is abnormal, the abnormality detection controller 24 shuts off the power of the feeding device and activates the alarm unit 28. The alarm unit 28 is an audible and visual alarm.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeding sensor 29 includes a scanning drive motor 31, a rotating scanning ring 32, an infrared emitter 33, and an infrared receiver 34. The anomaly detection controller 24 is electrically connected to the infrared emitter 33 and the infrared receiver 34. The infrared emitter 33 and the infrared receiver 34 are correspondingly mounted on the rotating scanning ring 32. The rotating scanning ring 32 is mounted at the lower end of the material guide channel 23 via a bearing 30. The scanning drive motor 31 drives the rotating scanning ring 32 to rotate via a transmission mechanism. The rotating scanning ring 32 drives the infrared emitter 33 and the infrared receiver 34, which rotate and scan around the cross-sectional area of ​​the material guide channel. This design improves the accuracy of infrared detection.

[0036] The transmission mechanism includes an external gear ring 35 and a transmission gear 26. The external gear ring 35 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating scanning ring 32. The external gear ring 35 meshes with the transmission gear 26. The transmission gear 26 is located on the output shaft of the scanning drive motor 31. The scanning drive motor 31 is fixed on the material guide channel 23.

[0037] Specifically, the multiple feeding devices are divided into two types: one is a sheet / granule feeding device 14; the other is a grass / root / stem feeding device 15, which is located below the sheet / granule feeding device 14. Since grass / root / stem materials are not as easily discharged as sheet / granule materials, the feeding path for these materials should be shortened as much as possible. Therefore, the grass / root / stem feeding device is located below, closer to the mixing and receiving hopper.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are a total of 4 sheet / granule feeding devices 14 and 2 grass / root / stem feeding devices 15.

[0039] like Figure 4As shown, the grass and root feeding device 15 includes a vibrating trough 16. The discharge end of the vibrating trough 16 is equipped with a hooking device, which includes a drive motor 17, a rotating shaft 18, and hooking rods 19. One end of the hooking rod 19 is mounted on the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 18, and the output shaft of the drive motor 17 is connected to one end of the rotating shaft 18. In this embodiment, two hooking rods 19 are provided, symmetrically distributed on the rotating shaft 18. A feeding hopper A20 is provided above the vibrating trough 16, and a stirring device 27 is provided inside the feeding hopper A20. A pushing screw 21 is provided inside the vibrating trough 16, driven by a motor A22. The motor A22 is electrically connected to a controller 9, which controls the rotational speed of the motor A22.

[0040] The material guide channel 23 is located below the weighing hopper A25, and the grass and root weighing hopper 25 is located below the discharge end of the vibrating trough 16 of the grass and root feeding device.

[0041] Because grass and root materials are not as smooth as granular materials when discharged, especially at the discharge port of the vibrating trough 16, they are prone to blockage. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of uneven discharge, this application adds a hooking device. The drive motor 17 of the hooking device drives the rotating shaft 18 to rotate, and the rotating shaft 18 drives the hooking rod 19 to rotate. The hooking rod 19 hooks the raw material at the discharge port of the vibrating trough 16 to solve the problem of uneven discharge.

[0042] like Figure 5 , 6As shown, the sheet / granule feeding device 14 includes a feeding hopper 1, a vibrating feeding trough 2, a feeding screw 3, a motor B4, a vibrating motor 5, a top cover 6, a frame 7, a supporting vertical plate 8, and a controller 9. The vibrating feeding trough 2 is fixed to the vibrating motor 5, which is mounted on the frame 7. The feeding hopper 1 is mounted on the top cover 6, which is mounted on the supporting vertical plate 8 and located above the vibrating feeding trough 2. The supporting vertical plate 8 is fixed to the frame 7. A gap is left between the top cover 6 and the vibrating feeding trough 2. The feeding screw 3 is mounted on the side walls at both ends of the bottom surface of the top cover 6 via bearings and is located inside the vibrating feeding trough 2. The controller 9 is used to control the rotational speed of the motor B4, which drives the feeding screw 3 to rotate. A spring 10 is provided between the vibrating motor 5 and the frame 7 to support the vibrating motor 5. The motor B4 is a servo motor. The material guide channel 23 is located below the weighing hopper B11, which is located below the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough 2 of the sheet / granule feeding device. The weighing hopper B11 is mounted on a load cell, and a baffle plate is provided at the discharge port of the weighing hopper B11. The drive device moves the baffle plate through a transmission mechanism to open and close the discharge port of the weighing hopper B11. The drive device is either a motor or a cylinder. The weighing hopper B11, the load cell, the baffle plate, and the drive device constitute the weighing and discharging control unit. Since the weighing and discharging control unit is prior art and not a technical improvement point of this application, it will not be described further with reference to the figures.

[0043] In addition, for the sheet / granule feeding device 14, when feeding granules, the feeding screw 3 may not be provided in the vibrating feeding trough 2. In this case, a baffle plate 36 needs to be added to the discharge end of the vibrating feeding trough 2. The baffle plate 36 is driven by a cylinder 37 to open or close the discharge end of the vibrating feeding trough 2. Figure 7 As shown.

[0044] Working Principle: This application's dispensing unit uses an independent channel for conveying each herb, ensuring that the herbs do not mix within the channel. This solves the problem of residual mixed materials affecting the next batch of herbal decoction pieces and thus impacting efficacy. This application employs a combination of vibration feeding and screw feeding. Vibration feeding rapidly delivers material from hopper 1 into weighing hopper B11. When the material in weighing hopper B11 approaches a preset value, the vibration motor 5 is turned off, and the feeding screw 3 is activated for precise feeding into weighing hopper B11.

[0045] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described herein, as well as the features of those embodiments or examples, without contradiction. Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A traditional Chinese medicine decoction piece dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding, characterized in that: The system includes a frame, a mixing and receiving hopper, multiple feeding devices, multiple guide channels, and an anomaly detection controller. The feeding devices are of two types: one for sheet / granular materials and the other for grasses and roots. These feeding devices are mounted on the frame. The lower ends of the guide channels are located above the mixing and receiving hopper, and the upper ends are located below the discharge ports of the feeding devices. Each feeding device corresponds to one guide channel. The feeding devices convey materials to the guide channels, which then guide the materials into the mixing and receiving hopper below. Each guide channel is equipped with a discharge sensing sensor. The anomaly detection controller collects discharge information from each guide channel within a preset time using these sensors. When an anomaly occurs, the anomaly detection controller shuts off the power to the feeding devices and activates an alarm unit. The feeding sensor includes a scanning drive motor, a rotating scanning ring, an infrared transmitter, and an infrared receiver. The anomaly detection controller is electrically connected to the infrared transmitter and receiver. The infrared transmitter and receiver are correspondingly mounted on the rotating scanning ring. The rotating scanning ring is mounted on the lower end of the material guide channel via bearings. The scanning drive motor drives the rotating scanning ring to rotate via a transmission mechanism. The rotating scanning ring drives the infrared transmitter and receiver to rotate and scan around the cross-sectional area of ​​the material guide channel. The transmission mechanism includes an external gear ring and a transmission gear. The external gear ring is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating scanning ring. The external gear ring meshes with the transmission gear. The transmission gear is located on the output shaft of the scanning drive motor. The scanning drive motor is fixed on the material guide channel.

2. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alarm unit uses an audible and visual alarm.

3. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device for grasses and rhizomes includes a vibrating trough. The discharge end of the vibrating trough is equipped with a hooking device. The hooking device includes a drive motor, a rotating shaft, and a hooking rod. One end of the hooking rod is mounted on the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, and the output shaft of the drive motor is connected to one end of the rotating shaft.

4. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vibrating trough is provided with a feed hopper A above it, and a stirring device is provided inside the feed hopper A. The material guiding channel is located below the weighing hopper A, and the weighing hopper A is located below the discharge end of the vibrating trough.

5. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vibration groove is equipped with a pusher screw, which is driven by motor A. Motor A is electrically connected to a controller, which controls the rotational speed of motor A.

6. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet / granule feeding device includes a weighing hopper B, a vibrating feed trough, a vibrating motor, a top cover, a frame, and a supporting vertical plate. The vibrating feed trough is fixed on the vibrating motor, which is mounted on the frame. The weighing hopper B is mounted on the top cover, which is mounted on the supporting vertical plate and located above the vibrating feed trough. The supporting vertical plate is fixed on the frame. A gap is left between the top cover and the vibrating feed trough. The material guide channel is located below the weighing hopper B, which is located below the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough.

7. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a feeding screw and a motor B. The feeding screw is installed on the bottom surface of the top cover and located in the vibrating feeding trough. The controller is used to control the speed of the motor B, which is used to drive the feeding screw to rotate.

8. The herbal medicine dispensing unit machine for detecting abnormal feeding according to claim 6, characterized in that: A baffle plate is added to the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough. The baffle plate is driven by a cylinder to open or close the discharge end of the vibrating feed trough.

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