Medicine supply device

Abstract

To shorten a time required for supplying a medicine.SOLUTION: A medicine supply part has a medicine receiving position for receiving replenished medicines, conveys the medicines from the medicine receiving position while aligning them, and sequentially supplies the medicines one by one from the beginning. A medicine replenishing part replenishes the medicine receiving position with the medicines. A medicine detection part detects presence or absence of the medicines at the medicine receiving position and outputs a medicine detection signal. A control part controls the medicine replenishing part. The control part receives the medicine detection signal from the medicine detection part, and controls the medicine replenishing part according to the medicine detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 38

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug delivery device. [Background technology]

[0002] A prior art document disclosing the configuration of the medicine supply device is International Publication No. 2016 / 013553 (Patent Document 1). The medicine supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a medicine dispensing unit including a first rotor, a second rotor, and a guide member. The first rotor has a circular surface rotatably arranged in a state inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The second rotor is rotatably arranged on the outer periphery of the first rotor and has an annular surface arranged on the horizontal plane. The guide member is arranged above the circular surface of the first rotor, extends radially with respect to the circular surface, and is located downstream in the rotation direction of the first rotor as it moves radially outward, and has a guide surface against which the medicine placed on the first rotor can come into contact due to the rotation of the first rotor. The medicine supply device further includes a medicine refilling unit that refills the medicine to the medicine dispensing unit. The medicine refilling unit is capable of refilling the medicine based on the refilling status of the medicine in the medicine dispensing unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 013553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for a drug supply device that can reduce the time required to supply a drug. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine supplying device that can reduce the time required to supply medicine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A medicine supply device according to the present invention includes a medicine supply unit, a medicine refill unit, a medicine detection unit, and a control unit. The medicine supply unit has a medicine receiving position that receives refilled medicines, and conveys medicines from the medicine receiving position while aligning them, and supplies the medicines one by one in order from the front. The medicine refill unit refills the medicines to the medicine receiving position. The medicine detection unit detects the presence or absence of medicine at the medicine receiving position and outputs a medicine detection signal. The control unit controls the medicine refill unit. The control unit receives the medicine detection signal from the medicine detection unit and controls the medicine refill unit in response to the medicine detection signal.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine detection unit has a first detection state in which it detects the presence of medicine at the medicine receiving position and a second detection state in which it detects the absence of medicine at the medicine receiving position. The control unit stops the medicine refilling unit from refilling medicine when the medicine detection unit is in the first detection state, and causes the medicine refilling unit to refill medicine when the medicine detection unit is in the second detection state.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the control unit causes the medicine replenishing unit to replenish medicine after a standby time has elapsed from the time when the medicine detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a drug information signal having drug information on the shape of the drug is input to the control unit. The control unit sets the waiting time in accordance with the drug information.

[0009] In one form of the present invention, the control unit stops the replenishing of drugs by the drug replenishing unit when the drug detection unit changes from the second detection state to the first detection state, and resumes the replenishing of drugs by the drug replenishing unit at the later of the time when the operation amount of the drug supply unit exceeds a set value from the above time, or the time when the drug detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a drug information signal having drug information relating to the shape of the drug is input to the control unit. The control unit sets the set value in accordance with the drug information. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the time required to supply a drug can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a medicine packing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a plan view of the medicine dispensing and packaging device of FIG. 2, as viewed from the direction of arrow III. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying section included in the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a plan view of the medicine supplying unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VI. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of the medicine supplying section of FIG. 5, as viewed in the direction of arrow VII. [Figure 8] 6 is a view of the medicine supplying section of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VIII. [Figure 9] 6 is a view of the medicine supplying unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow IX. [Figure 10] 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a rotating body included in a medicine supplying section of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cover member included in a medicine supply unit of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 11 as viewed in the direction of arrow XII. [Figure 13] 13 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 12 as viewed in the direction of arrow XIII. [Figure 14] 14 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 13 as viewed in the direction of arrow XIV. [Figure 15] 14 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 13 as viewed in the direction of arrow XV. [Figure 16]1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening / closing member included in a medicine supplying section of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a view of the opening / closing member of FIG. 16 as viewed from the direction of arrow XVII. [Figure 18] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing part is rotated upward and a discharge part is open in a medicine supplying part included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 19] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 20] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 21] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 22] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 23] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 24] 1 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 25] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] 4 is a partial perspective view showing a shape of an opening side of a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 27] 2 is a partial perspective view showing a configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 28] 4 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 29] 1 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a medicine supplying unit included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a base unit. [Diagram 30] 1 is a front view showing a state in which a medicine supply unit and a medicine storage container are respectively attached to a base unit included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a cover of part of the base unit removed. [Diagram 31] 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a medicine container and a part of a cover of a base portion are removed from the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 32] 13 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which a cover for another part of the base portion is removed from the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 33] 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 34] 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 35] 4 is a time chart showing an operation of the medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with prescription information. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining prescription information and packaging information. [Figure 37] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit of the medicine supplying device when the required number of medicines in one prescription is input from the main control unit. [Figure 38] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit when medicines are refilled by the medicine refill unit. [Figure 39] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit of the medicine supplying device that receives a required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit. [Diagram 40] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when a medicine is supplied by the medicine supply unit. [Diagram 41] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when counting medicines supplied by a medicine supply unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference characters, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the medicine packing device of Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow III. Fig. 1 illustrates a state in which the door of the housing is open and a manual dispensing cassette has slid to the front side of the housing. Fig. 3 illustrates a see-through view of the ceiling of the medicine packing device.

[0015] 1 to 3, a medicine packing device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a medicine supplying device unit, a housing 410, a rotating drum 420, a hopper 430, and a medicine packaging device unit 440. The medicine packing device 400 further includes a control device unit described later.

[0016] The medicine supplying device unit has a plurality of medicine supplying devices for supplying medicines. Specifically, the medicine supplying device unit has a plurality of first medicine supplying devices 10, a plurality of second medicine supplying devices 20, and a third medicine supplying device 30.

[0017] Each of the second drug supply devices 20 contains a plurality of drugs and is configured to be able to supply the required number of drugs. The second drug supply device 20 is an automatic drug supply cassette. The third drug supply device 30 is a manual drug supply cassette. The manual drug supply cassette has compartments arranged in a matrix, and each compartment contains one packet of drugs.

[0018] Each of the plurality of first drug supply devices 10 can supply a drug in place of a second drug supply device 20 that has run out of the drug among the plurality of second drug supply devices 20. Also, each of the plurality of first drug supply devices 10 can supply a drug different from the drug contained in each of the plurality of second drug supply devices 20.

[0019] The medicine supplying device unit supplies medicines one package at a time from a medicine supplying device selected from the plurality of medicine supplying devices. The medicine packaging device unit 440 packages the medicines supplied from the medicine supplying device unit one package at a time. The control device unit controls each of the medicine supplying device unit and the medicine packaging device unit.

[0020] Housing 410 houses a medicine supplying device unit, a rotating drum 420, a hopper 430, and a medicine packaging device unit 440. Housing 410 has a door that can be opened and closed. An operation panel 50 is provided on the front side of housing 410.

[0021] 2 and 3, rotating drum 420 is supported in housing 410 so as to be rotatable about axis 4. A plurality of first drug supply devices 10 and a plurality of second drug supply devices 20 are attached to rotating drum 420. That is, first drug supply devices 10 are housed in housing 410 in a movably state.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating drum 420 is provided with a medicine conveying path 421. The medicine conveying path 421 is located above the hopper 430. As shown in FIG. 3, the first medicine supplying device 10 and the second medicine supplying device 20 are arranged in a ring shape on the outer circumferential side of the rotating drum 420. As shown in FIG. 2, the first medicine supplying device 10 and the second medicine supplying device 20 are arranged in a vertical line. The first medicine supplying device 10 and the second medicine supplying device 20 are each connected to the medicine conveying path 421. The medicines supplied from the first medicine supplying device 10 and the second medicine supplying device 20 pass through the medicine conveying path 421 and are fed into the hopper 430. The medicines supplied from the third medicine supplying device 30 are fed into the hopper 430. The medicines fed into the hopper 430 are packaged by the medicine packaging device unit 440.

[0023] The configuration of the medicine packaging device 400 is not limited to the above. For example, each of the first medicine supply device 10 and the second medicine supply device 20 may be attached to a slidable rack instead of the rotating drum 420. In this case, by drawing the rack outward from the housing 410, each of the first medicine supply device 10 and the second medicine supply device 20 can be moved outward from the housing 410. The sliding direction of the rack may be the front-rear direction of the housing 410 or the left-right direction of the housing 410. Furthermore, the door of the housing 410 may be structured to open like a double door.

[0024] Next, a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of the medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a first medicine supplying device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a medicine supplying module 100 which is a medicine supplying section, and a medicine replenishing section 12. The first medicine supplying device 10 further includes a base section 200. A display section 250 and a stop switch 238 are provided on the front side of the base section 200. The medicine replenishing section 12 includes a medicine storage container 300 which stores medicine. Each of the medicine supplying module 100 and the medicine storage container 300 is separately attachable to and detachable from the base section 200.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying unit included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the medicine supplying unit in Fig. 5, seen from the direction of an arrow VI. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the medicine supplying unit in Fig. 5, seen from the direction of an arrow VII. Fig. 8 is a view of the medicine supplying unit in Fig. 5, seen from the direction of an arrow VIII. Fig. 9 is a view of the medicine supplying unit in Fig. 5, seen from the direction of an arrow IX.

[0026] In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, a lid portion described later is shown in a see-through manner. A lid member and an opening / closing member described later are not shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 9, the lid portion is shown in a see-through manner, but a support portion described later is not shown.

[0027] 5 to 9, the drug supplying module 100, which is a drug supplying section included in the first drug supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes a rotating body 110, a peripheral wall section, and a discharge section 131. In this embodiment, the drug supplying module 100 further includes a support section 150, a lid section 126, and an opening / closing section 141. As described later, the drug supplying module 100 has a drug receiving position for receiving replenished drugs and a discharge section 131, and functions as a drug supplying section that conveys drugs from the drug receiving position toward the discharge section 131 while aligning them in a line, and discharges and supplies the drugs from the discharge section 131 one by one in order from the front.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the medicine supplying module 100 is integrally configured to include the rotor 110, the peripheral wall, the discharge unit 131, and the opening / closing unit 141. The opening / closing unit 141 does not necessarily have to be provided. That is, the medicine supplying module 100 may be integrally configured to include the rotor 110, the peripheral wall, and the discharge unit 131.

[0029] Fig. 10 is a side view showing the configuration of a rotor included in a medicine supplying section provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 10, the rotor is shown as viewed from the same direction as Fig. 9. As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the rotor 110 rotates about an axis 1 extending in the vertical direction, and has a conical inclined surface 110s coaxial with the axis 1 that inclines downward as it approaches the outside in the radial direction centered on the axis 1.

[0030] The rotating body 110 includes a first rotating part 111 and a second rotating part 112 that are coaxially arranged. The second rotating part 112 is located below the first rotating part 111. A side surface of the first rotating part 111 and a side surface of the second rotating part 112 form a slope 110s. The first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are provided so as to be rotatable separately from each other. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first rotating part 111 is connected to a first driven gear 111g. The second rotating part 112 is connected to a second driven gear 112g.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inclined surface 110s of the rotor 110 is provided with a rolling prevention portion for preventing the rolling of the medicine. The rolling prevention portion is composed of grooves radially provided from the apex of the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, the rolling prevention portion is composed of a first groove 111c provided on the first rotating portion 111 and a second groove 112c provided on the second rotating portion 112. It is to be noted that the rolling prevention portion does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the rotating body 110 is rotatably supported by a support portion 150 located below the rotating body 110. The rotating body 110 is detachably provided on the support portion 150. As shown in Fig. 8, the support portion 150 includes a horizontal surface portion 151 having a substantially circular shape, an erect portion 152 erected in a substantially cylindrical shape from the edge of the horizontal surface portion 151, and a base portion 153 extending downward from the horizontal surface portion 151 in a substantially cylindrical shape. A first driven gear 111g and a second driven gear 112g are each located on the inner peripheral side of the base portion 153.

[0033] 6 to 9, in this embodiment, the medicine supplying module 100 includes a plurality of circumferential wall portions. Specifically, the medicine supplying module 100 includes a first circumferential wall portion 121, a second circumferential wall portion 122, and a third circumferential wall portion 123. Note that the number of circumferential wall portions included in the medicine supplying module 100 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0034] 6, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 extends in an arc shape above the inclined surface 110s in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 supports the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s from the outside in the radial direction.

[0035] The first circumferential wall portion 121, the second circumferential wall portion 122, and the third circumferential wall portion 123 are aligned with one another in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110, and are positioned further outward and lower in the radial direction as the circumferential wall portion is positioned on the downstream side in the rotation direction 2. Specifically, the second circumferential wall portion 122 is positioned downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the first circumferential wall portion 121, and is positioned outward and lower in the radial direction from the first circumferential wall portion 121. The third circumferential wall portion 123 is positioned downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the second circumferential wall portion 122, and is positioned outward and lower in the radial direction from the second circumferential wall portion 122.

[0036] Each of the first circumferential wall portion 121 and the second circumferential wall portion 122 is located above the first rotating portion 111. The third circumferential wall portion 123 is located above the second rotating portion 112. Thus, the first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the first circumferential wall portion 121 along the first circumferential wall portion 121. The first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the second circumferential wall portion 122 along the second circumferential wall portion 122. The second rotating portion 112 transports the drug supported by the third circumferential wall portion 123 along the third circumferential wall portion 123.

[0037] 9, each of the first circumferential wall portion 121, the second circumferential wall portion 122, and the third circumferential wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, each of the first circumferential wall portion 121, the second circumferential wall portion 122, and the third circumferential wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s within a range in which the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s can be supported from the outside in the radial direction.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the downstream end of the peripheral wall portion located upstream in the rotation direction 2 among the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 becomes more distant from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2.

[0039] Specifically, the downstream end of the first circumferential wall portion 121 in the rotation direction 2 becomes increasingly farther from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2. Similarly, the downstream end of the second circumferential wall portion 122 in the rotation direction 2 becomes increasingly farther from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2.

[0040] 6, 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 are connected to each other by an inclined wall portion that extends radially outward and descends toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2. Note that the inclined wall portion is not necessarily provided.

[0041] Specifically, the first circumferential wall portion 121 and the second circumferential wall portion 122 are connected to each other at a first inclined wall portion 124. The second circumferential wall portion 122 and the third circumferential wall portion 123 are connected to each other at a second inclined wall portion 125.

[0042] 7 and 9, each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the inclined surface 110s. Thus, each of the boundary line between the first peripheral wall portion 121 and the first inclined wall portion 124 and the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the first inclined wall portion 124 is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the inclined surface 110s. Similarly, each of the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the second inclined wall portion 125 and the boundary line between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the inclined surface 110s.

[0043] 5 to 7 and 9, in this embodiment, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is integral with the lid portion 126. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the third peripheral wall portion 123 extends downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126. Note that the lid portion 126 is not necessarily provided, and it is sufficient that the peripheral walls are disposed above the slope 110s.

[0044] Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is integral with the lid portion 126. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 extends downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126.

[0045] The lid portion 126 covers the inclined surface 110s from above. The lid portion 126 is provided so as to be able to open the inclined surface 110s upward. The lid portion 126 is disposed on the support portion 150. Specifically, the lid portion 126 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is provided on the lid member 120.

[0046] The lid member 120 is placed on the support part 150 so as to be detachable from the support part 150. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid part 126 and the support part 150. Specifically, the lid member 120 is placed on the horizontal surface part 151 of the support part 150 via the buffer member 170 having an arc shape. The buffer member 170 is made of an elastic body such as rubber. It is to be noted that the buffer member 170 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0047] Lid member 120 is made of a transparent material. Thus, each of cover portion 126, first peripheral wall portion 121, second peripheral wall portion 122 and third peripheral wall portion 123 is made of a transparent material. This makes it possible to see the inside of lid member 120 from the outside of lid member 120. However, lid member 120 may be made of a non-transparent material.

[0048] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cover member included in a medicine supply unit provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a view of the cover member in Fig. 11 as viewed from the direction of arrow XII. Fig. 13 is a view of the cover member in Fig. 12 as viewed from the direction of arrow XIII. Fig. 14 is a view of the cover member in Fig. 13 as viewed from the direction of arrow XIV. Fig. 15 is a view of the cover member in Fig. 13 as viewed from the direction of arrow XV. Figs. 11 and 12 show a state in which a vibration transmission plate, described later, has been removed from cover member 120.

[0049] 11 to 15, in this embodiment, drug supply hole 127, notch 128, and attachment portion 129 are provided in cover member 120. Specifically, drug supply hole 127 and attachment portion 129 are each provided in the top surface of cover member 120. Notch 128 is provided in the periphery on the lower end side of cover member 120.

[0050] Drug supply hole 127 is provided for supplying a drug from the outside of cover member 120 to the inside of cover member 120. Notch 128 is provided for arranging a discharge member, which will be described later, on support part 150. Mounting part 129 is provided for mounting a vibration transmission plate, which will be described later, to cover member 120.

[0051] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, in the cover member 120, a first peripheral wall portion 121 is located below the drug supply hole 127, a first inclined wall portion 124 is located adjacent to the first peripheral wall portion 121, a second peripheral wall portion 122 is located adjacent to the first inclined wall portion 124, a second inclined wall portion 125 is located adjacent to the second peripheral wall portion 122, a third peripheral wall portion 123 is located adjacent to the second inclined wall portion 125, and a notch portion 128 is located adjacent to the third peripheral wall portion 123.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 11, the mounting portion 129 is provided with a screw hole. As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a vibration transmission plate 160 is fixed to the mounting portion 129 with a screw. The vibration transmission plate 160 constitutes a part of the cover portion 126. In this embodiment, the vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. The vibration transmission plate 160 may be made of a non-magnetic material. The vibration transmission plate 160 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0053] 5 to 7 and 9, discharge member 130 is provided on support portion 150 so as to be fitted into notch 128. Discharge member 130 has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of notch 128. A small gap is provided between discharge member 130 and cover member 120.

[0054] The discharge member 130 is provided with a discharge section 131 that discharges the medicine transported sequentially along each of the first peripheral wall section 121, the second peripheral wall section 122 and the third peripheral wall section 123 from above the inclined surface 110s as the rotor 110 rotates.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge member 130 is provided with a standing wall portion 132. That is, the standing wall portion 132 is formed of a separate member from the peripheral wall portion. The standing wall portion 132 is provided between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the discharge portion 131, and supports the medicine from the outside in the radial direction. The standing wall portion 132 extends in an arc shape along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. In this embodiment, the third peripheral wall portion 123, the standing wall portion 132, and the discharge portion 131 are aligned along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. Note that the standing wall portion 132 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0056] The discharge member 130 is provided with a pair of bearings 130b that support a rotating shaft 140s that rotates the opening / closing part 141. The pair of bearings 130b are erected at a position above the discharge part 131. The opening / closing part 141 is configured to be able to open and close the discharge part 131 by being rotated by the rotating shaft 140s.

[0057] The opening / closing part 141 is connected to a biasing member 140t and biased in a direction to close the discharge part 131. In this embodiment, the biasing member 140t is configured by a torsion spring, but is not limited to a torsion spring. The biasing member 140t does not necessarily have to be provided. The base part 200 is provided with an opening / closing sensor 237 (described later) that detects the open / closed state of the opening / closing part 141.

[0058] 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the medicine supplying module 100 further includes a medicine stopping portion 142. The medicine stopping portion 142 is adjacent to the discharge portion 131, extending in the radial direction along the inclined surface 110s, on the upstream side of the discharge portion 131 in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110. The medicine stopping portion 142 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the inclined surface 110s.

[0059] When the medicine stopping portion 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the medicine is prevented from moving to the discharge portion 131 by the medicine stopping portion 142, and when the medicine stopping portion 142 is separated from the inclined surface 110s, the medicine can move to the discharge portion 131. The medicine stopping portion 142 is configured integrally with the opening / closing portion 141. Note that the medicine stopping portion 142 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0060] Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening / closing member included in a medicine supplying section of a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 17 is a view of the opening / closing member of Fig. 16 as viewed from the direction of arrow XVII.

[0061] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, 9, 16 and 17, the opening / closing member 140 is provided with an opening / closing section 141, a medicine stopper 142, and a pair of engagement holes 140b. Specifically, the medicine stopper 142 protrudes from one edge in the width direction of the approximately flat opening / closing section 141 so as to be perpendicular to the opening / closing section 141. The pair of engagement holes 140b are erected at a position above the opening / closing section 141. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b has a D-shaped inner peripheral surface in a side view. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b engages with a portion of the rotation shaft 140s having a D-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0062] 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing part is rotated upward and the discharge part is open in the medicine supplying part included in the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the medicine supplying module 100 is shown as seen from the same direction as FIG. 5.

[0063] By rotating the pivot 140s in one direction, as shown in FIG. 18, the opening / closing member 140 rotates about the pivot 140s, the discharge portion 131 that was blocked by the opening / closing portion 141 is opened, and the drug stopping portion 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s.

[0064] By rotating the pivot 140s in the other direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening / closing member 140 rotates about the pivot 140s, the opening / closing part 141 closes the discharge part 131, and the medicine stopping part 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

[0065] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid part is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a side view showing a state in which a lid part is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid part is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid part is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid part is removed in a medicine containing container of a medicine refilling part included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] 19 to 25, the medicine containing container 300 of the medicine replenishing section 12 included in the first medicine supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical shape with a bottom including a bottom and an opening, and has a spiral groove formed on its inner circumferential surface. Specifically, the medicine containing container 300 includes a main body tube 310, a cylindrical section 320, a bottom section 330, and a lid section 340.

[0067] The cylindrical main body 310 has a spiral groove 312 formed on its inner circumferential surface. The cylindrical main body 310 has a first opening 313 at one end and a second opening 314 at the other end. The central axis of the cylindrical main body 310 is located on the axis 3 of the medicine-containing container 300. In Figure 25, a perpendicular line 4 perpendicular to the axis 3 is shown.

[0068] 25, in a pair of opposing wall surfaces of spiral groove 312 formed on the inner circumferential surface of main body tube 310, angle α between the wall surface located on the first opening 313 side and perpendicular line 4 is larger than angle β between the wall surface located on the second opening 314 side and perpendicular line 4. For example, α=45°, β=10°.

[0069] Fig. 26 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of the opening side of the medicine-containing container of the medicine refill unit included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 26 shows a state in which the cylindrical portion 320 is removed from the main body tube 310.

[0070] 26, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue until it reaches the first opening 313 of the main body tube 310. An end 312e of the spiral groove 312 on the first opening 313 side has a shape as if it were cut along the end face of the main body tube 310 on the first opening 313 side.

[0071] 25, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue to a position just before the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. The end of the spiral groove 312 on the second opening 314 side is connected to a circumferential groove 315 extending in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 3. Therefore, the groove width does not narrow even in the vicinity of the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine from clogging the groove.

[0072] Cylindrical portion 320 is attached to the outer periphery of first opening 313 side of main body tube 310. A male thread for attaching cover portion 340 is formed on the outer periphery of the end portion of cylindrical portion 320 on the first opening 313 side in the direction of axis 3.

[0073] The bottom part 330 is attached to the outer periphery of the second opening 314 side of the main body tube 310. The bottom part 330 has a bottom surface 330b that closes the second opening 314. The bottom surface 330b is curved in a convex shape toward the side away from the second opening 314 in the direction of the axis 3. In other words, the inner bottom surface of the medicine-containing container 300 has a curved shape that is convex toward the outside of the medicine-containing container 300.

[0074] The bottom 330 further has an annular portion 330c that protrudes outward from the periphery of the bottom surface 330b in an annular shape. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, an identifier 331 is disposed in a space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The bottom 330 further has a disk portion 332 that closes the space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The disk portion 332 is fixed to the bottom surface 330b by a screw. The identifier 331 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 330b and the disk portion 332.

[0075] In this embodiment, the identifier 331 is a permanent magnet. The identifier 331 is formed differently in each of the medicine-containing containers 300. That is, each of the medicine-containing containers 300 has an identifier 331 that can be distinguished from the others. The identifier 331 is not limited to a permanent magnet, and may be another magnetic material. The identifier 331 may not necessarily be provided.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 19, the lid 340 can close the first opening 313. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the lid 340 is composed of an outer lid 341 and an inner lid 342. The outer lid 341 is provided rotatably with respect to the inner lid 342. Specifically, the outer lid 341 is provided with an arm 341a having a pair of engagement holes 341h. A rotation shaft 342p having a pair of engagement protrusions 342s is provided on a side of the inner lid 342. The pair of engagement holes 341h and the pair of engagement protrusions 342s are engaged with each other, so that the arm 341a is supported rotatably around the rotation shaft 342p. As a result, the outer lid 341 is rotatable with respect to the inner lid 342.

[0077] A plurality of openings 342h are formed on an inner lid surface 342c of the inner lid 342. When the outer lid 341 is closed, a space is formed between the outer lid 341 and the inner lid surface 342c for inserting an ear of a desiccant or a PTP (Press-Through-Package) packaging sheet of a medicine. A female thread that screws with the male thread of the cylindrical portion 320 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner lid 342.

[0078] Fig. 27 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of a base part included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 28 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of the base part included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 29 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the medicine supply part included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to the base part.

[0079] 27 and 28, the base unit 200 is provided with a first drive shaft 210, a second drive shaft 240, a discharge chute 220, a first sensor 231 which is a first detection unit, a second sensor 232 which is a second detection unit, a medicine detection sensor 235 which is a medicine detection unit, and a vibration unit 260. The base unit 200 is provided with a first motor which is a first drive source which drives the rotor 110, and a second motor which is a second drive source which drives the opening / closing unit 141. Note that each of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the medicine detection sensor 235, and the vibration unit 260 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0080] The first drive shaft 210 is connected to the first motor. The first drive shaft 210 extends upward from the bottom of the base portion 200. A first drive gear 211g and a second drive gear 212g are provided at the tip of the first drive shaft 210. The first drive gear 211g engages with the first driven gear 111g. The second drive gear 212g engages with the second driven gear 112g.

[0081] When the first motor is driven to rotate the first drive shaft 210, the first rotating part 111 rotates via the first drive gear 211g and the first driven gear 111g, and the second rotating part 112 rotates via the second drive gear 212g and the second driven gear 112g. That is, the first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are each driven by a common drive source.

[0082] The rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111. Specifically, the number of teeth of each of the first driving gear 211g, the second driving gear 212g, the first driven gear 111g, and the second driven gear 112g is set so that the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111.

[0083] The second drive shaft 240 is connected to a second motor. The second drive shaft 240 extends substantially horizontally from one side to the other side of the base portion 200. A tip end of the second drive shaft 240 engages with the rotating shaft 140s.

[0084] When the second motor is driven to rotate the second drive shaft 240, the opening / closing member 140 rotates together with the rotating shaft 140s. When the opening / closing member 140 rotates about the rotating shaft 140s, each of the opening / closing unit 141 and the drug stopper 142 also rotates about the rotating shaft 140s. In this manner, each of the opening / closing unit 141 and the drug stopper 142 is driven by a common driving source.

[0085] The discharge chute 220 guides the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 to the outside of the base section 200. An inlet of the discharge chute 220 faces the discharge section 131. A first sensor 231 is disposed adjacent to the discharge section 131. A second sensor 232 is disposed on the discharge chute 220. The second sensor 232 is located farther from the discharge section 131 than the first sensor 231.

[0086] The first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge section 131. The first sensor 231 outputs a first detection signal when it detects that the medicine has reached a first detection position outside the discharge section 131. In this embodiment, the first sensor 231 is configured with a photoelectric sensor, and has a light projecting section and a light receiving section that are arranged to sandwich an area immediately downstream of the discharge section 131 between them. The first sensor 231 detects that the light axis between the light projecting section and the light receiving section has been blocked by the medicine, thereby detecting the arrival of the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131.

[0087] The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131. The second sensor 232 outputs a second detection signal when it detects that the medicine has passed through a second detection position that is farther from the medicine supplying module 100 than the first detection position. In this embodiment, the second sensor 232 is configured with a photoelectric sensor, and has a light projecting section and a light receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the medicine passage defined by the discharge chute 220 between them. The second sensor 232 detects the passage of the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 by detecting that the optical axis between the light projecting section and the light receiving section has returned from a state in which it was blocked by the medicine to an original open state.

[0088] The medicine detection sensor 235 detects the presence or absence of medicine at the medicine receiving position on the inclined surface 110s of the medicine supply module 100 and outputs a medicine detection signal. In this embodiment, the medicine detection sensor 235 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit arranged to sandwich the area below the medicine supply hole 127 between them. That is, the area located below the medicine supply hole 127 on the inclined surface 110s is the medicine receiving position that receives the replenished medicine. The medicine detection sensor 235 detects the presence or absence of medicine at the medicine receiving position by detecting whether the optical axis between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit is blocked by the medicine. That is, the medicine detection sensor 235 has a first detection state in which it detects the presence of medicine at the medicine receiving position and a second detection state in which it detects the absence of medicine at the medicine receiving position. In addition, at least the part on the optical axis of the cover member 120 is transparent.

[0089] The vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first circumferential wall portion 121, the second circumferential wall portion 122, and the third circumferential wall portion 123. In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first circumferential wall portion 121, the second circumferential wall portion 122, and the third circumferential wall portion 123 via the lid portion 126.

[0090] Specifically, the vibration part 260 is provided so as to be located directly above the vibration transmission plate 160. The vibration part 260 is provided with a permanent magnet (not shown). The vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. The vibration part 260 and the vibration transmission plate 160 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. That is, the contact parts of the vibration part 260 and the lid part 126 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force. The vibration of the vibration part 260 is propagated through the lid part 126 to each of the first peripheral wall part 121, the second peripheral wall part 122, and the third peripheral wall part 123. The vibration part 260 vibrates in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the vibration part 260 is driven by an eccentric motor 273 (described later) arranged so that the motor shaft is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0091] As described above, a small gap is provided between the discharge member 130 and the lid member 120, and a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid portion 126 and the support portion 150, so that the vibrations caused by the vibrating portion 260 are not transmitted directly to the vertical wall portion 132.

[0092] A buffer member for suppressing the vibration from the vibration part 260 from propagating to the base part 200 may be provided at the connection part between the vibration part 260 and the base part 200. This makes it possible to suppress the vibration from the vibration part 260 from propagating to the standing wall part 132 through the base part 200 and the support part 150.

[0093] 29, in the first medicine supplying device 10 according to this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is provided on the base unit 200, and the lid unit 126 is provided on the medicine supplying module 100, so that the vibration unit 260 can be moved toward and away from the lid unit 126. The base unit 200 is provided with a module detection sensor 236 (described later) that detects that the medicine supplying module 100 is attached.

[0094] Fig. 30 is a front view showing a state where a medicine supplying unit and a medicine containing container are attached to a base unit of a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a cover of a part of the base unit removed. Fig. 31 is a front perspective view showing a state where a medicine containing container and a cover of a part of the base unit are removed from the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 32 is a rear perspective view showing a state where another cover of the base unit is removed from the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] 4 and 30, in the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine containing container 300 is attached to the base part 200 with the cover part 340 removed. The medicine containing container 300 attached to the base part 200 is located above the medicine supplying module 100. When the medicine containing container 300 is attached to the base part 200, the axis 3 of the medicine containing container 300 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, when the medicine containing container 300 is attached to the base part 200, the axis 3 of the medicine containing container 300 is inclined by 20° with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 31, the base part 200 is provided with four roller parts which support the medicine-containing container 300 rotatably around the axis 3. Specifically, the base part 200 is provided with a pair of rotating shafts. A pair of roller parts 281 are attached to one of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. A pair of roller parts 282 are attached to the other of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. The base part 200 is provided with a container detection sensor 233 which detects that the medicine-containing container 300 is attached.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the base portion 200 is provided with a connection conduit 290 that guides the medicine discharged from the first opening 313 of the medicine containing container 300 to the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120 of the medicine supply module 100.

[0098] 30, the base portion 200 is provided with an identification sensor 234 that recognizes the identifier 331 of the medicine-containing container 300. In the present embodiment, the identification sensor 234 is a magnetic sensor. Note that the identification sensor 234 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be any sensor that can recognize the identifier 331. Also, the identification sensor 234 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0099] 30, as described above, the base unit 200 is provided with a first motor 270 which is a first drive source that drives the rotating body 110, and a second motor 271 which is a second drive source that drives the opening / closing unit 141. As shown in Fig. 32, the base unit 200 is provided with a third motor 272 which is a third drive source that drives the other of the pair of rotating shafts.

[0100] 4 and 30 includes a medicine containing container 300, the pair of rotating shafts, the pair of roller units 281, the pair of roller units 282, a third motor 272, a container detection sensor 233, and an identification sensor 234. The medicine containing container 300 contains medicine, and when driven, replenishes the medicine with the medicine at the medicine receiving position of the medicine supply module 100. That is, the medicine replenishing unit 12 replenishes the medicine with the medicine at the medicine receiving position.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 31, a display unit 250 is provided on the front surface of the base unit 200. In this embodiment, the display unit 250 selectively emits light in one color from among a plurality of colors. The display unit 250 can also emit light in a blinking manner. The state of the first medicine supply device 10 can be indicated by the light emission pattern of the display unit 250.

[0102] Fig. 33 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 33, a medicine packing device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 is electrically connected to each of a medicine packaging device unit 440, a medicine supply device unit 450, and an operation panel 50. The main control unit 41 is electrically connected to a prescription information receiving device 90 that receives prescription information via the operation panel 50.

[0103] Fig. 34 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 34, a first medicine supplying device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a control unit 11 that controls each of a medicine supplying module 100 and a medicine replenishing unit 12, which are medicine supplying units. The control unit 11 is provided on a base unit 200. The control unit 11 is electrically connected to each of a first sensor 231, a second sensor 232, a container detection sensor 233, an identification sensor 234, a medicine detection sensor 235, a module detection sensor 236, an open / close sensor 237, a stop switch 238, a display unit 250, a first motor 270, a second motor 271, a third motor 272, and an eccentric motor 273.

[0104] The control unit 11 is electrically connected to the main control unit 41. The control units 11 of the plurality of first medicine supplying devices 10 and the main control unit 41 constitute a control device unit 460. As described above, the medicine packaging device 400 includes the control device unit 460.

[0105] Hereinafter, an operation of the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an operation of the medicine supplying module 100, which is a medicine supplying section, will be described.

[0106] The medicine supplied from medicine supply hole 127 to the inside of cover member 120 is received at a medicine receiving position on inclined surface 110s, and supported by first circumferential wall portion 121. First motor 270 drives first rotating portion 111 and second rotating portion 112.

[0107] As the first rotating portion 111 is driven, the medicine supported by the first circumferential wall portion 121 is transported along the first circumferential wall portion 121. The medicine supported by the first circumferential wall portion 121 is aligned along the first circumferential wall portion 121 while being transported along the first circumferential wall portion 121.

[0108] The drugs supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 move sequentially from the drug located at the front end of the rotational direction 2 downward along the first inclined wall portion 124 and radially outward around the axis 1, thereby being supported by the second peripheral wall portion 122.

[0109] The medicine descending along first inclined wall portion 124 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the medicine being transported along first peripheral wall portion 121. This causes the gap between the medicine that has descended along first inclined wall portion 124 and the medicine before descending along first inclined wall portion 124 to become wider.

[0110] As the first rotating portion 111 is driven, the medicine supported by the second circumferential wall portion 122 is transported along the second circumferential wall portion 122. The medicine supported by the second circumferential wall portion 122 moves radially outward while descending along the second inclined wall portion 125, successively from the medicine located at the leading side in the rotation direction 2, and is thereby supported by the third circumferential wall portion 123.

[0111] The drug descending along second inclined wall portion 125 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the drug being transported along second peripheral wall portion 122. As a result, the distance between the drug that has descended along second inclined wall portion 125 and the drug before descending along second inclined wall portion 125 becomes wider.

[0112] As the second rotating part 112 is driven, the drug supported by the third circumferential wall part 123 is transported along the third circumferential wall part 123. Since the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111, the distance between the drug supported by the third circumferential wall part 123 and the drug supported by the second circumferential wall part 122 becomes wider.

[0113] The medicines supported by the third circumferential wall portion 123 are supported by the standing wall portion 132 in order from the medicine located at the front side in the rotation direction 2. The medicines supported by the standing wall portion 132 are transported along the standing wall portion 132 by driving the second rotating portion 112.

[0114] When the medicine stopping portion 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the medicine transported along the standing wall portion 132 is prevented from moving toward the discharge portion 131. Then, the second motor 271 rotates the rotary shaft 140s.

[0115] By rotating the pivot 140s in one direction, the opening / closing member 140 rotates about the pivot 140s, the discharge portion 131 blocked by the opening / closing portion 141 is opened, and the medicine stopper portion 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s. As a result, the medicines positioned at the front side in the rotation direction 2 among the medicines supported by the vertical wall portion 132 are discharged from the discharge portion 131 one by one.

[0116] At this time, the first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge portion 131. The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge portion 131.

[0117] After the medicine is discharged from the discharge portion 131, the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in the other direction, causing the opening / closing member 140 to rotate about the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge portion 131 is closed by the opening / closing portion 141, and the medicine stopping portion 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

[0118] As a result, the medicine supported by the standing wall portion 132 is prevented from moving to the discharge portion 131 by the medicine stopping portion 142, and is prevented from being discharged from the discharge portion 131 by the opening / closing portion 141. As described above, the opening / closing portion 141 is in the open state when the medicine is supplied from the medicine supply portion, and is in the closed state when the medicine is not supplied from the medicine supply portion.

[0119] When the medicine supplying unit moves relative to the housing 410, the movement of the medicine supplying unit is started after the medicine supplying unit stops and the opening / closing unit 141 is closed. In this case, it is possible to prevent unwanted medicine from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 during the movement of the medicine supplying unit.

[0120] When the supply of the medicine from the medicine supply unit is resumed, the opening / closing unit 141 is opened and the medicine supply unit is restarted. In this case, the medicine can be discharged from the discharge unit 131 immediately after the medicine supply unit is restarted.

[0121] Next, the operation of the medicine refill unit 12 will be described. The third motor 272 rotates the pair of roller portions 282 , whereby the medicine-containing container 300 is rotationally driven about the axis 3 .

[0122] As the medicine-containing container 300 is rotated around the axis 3, the medicine in the medicine-containing container 300 is transported by the spiral groove 312 from the bottom 330 side of the medicine-containing container 300 to the first opening 313 side and discharged from the first opening 313.

[0123] The medicine discharged from first opening 313 passes through connection conduit 290 of base portion 200, and is supplied into medicine supply hole 127 of cover member 120. The medicines supplied into medicine supply hole 127 of cover member 120 are discharged one by one from discharge portion 131 of medicine supply module 100.

[0124] One medicine-containing container 300 selected sequentially from the plurality of medicine-containing containers 300 is attached to the base portion 200. Each of the plurality of medicine-containing containers 300 is driven under different driving conditions set based on the identifier 331. The medicine supplying unit is driven corresponding to each of the plurality of medicine-containing containers 300.

[0125] Specifically, the types of medicines include general medicines that are small tablets, and special medicines such as capsules, elongated tablets, spherical tablets, or triangular prism-shaped tablets. Each of the medicine-containing containers 300 contains a general medicine or a special medicine. When the medicine-containing container 300 is attached to the base part 200, the control unit 11 receives a detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234 and determines the type of medicine contained in the medicine-containing container 300 attached to the base part 200. That is, the control unit 11 receives a medicine information signal that includes medicine information on the shape of the medicine, which is included in the detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234.

[0126] The control flow when the medicine packing device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention packs medicines in accordance with prescription information will be described below.

[0127] Fig. 35 is a time chart showing an operation of the medicine packing device according to the embodiment of the present invention in accordance with prescription information, and Fig. 36 is a diagram for explaining prescription information and packing information.

[0128] 35, prescription information is input to a prescription information receiving device 90. The prescription information includes information such as the type of drug, the time of administration, the number of days of administration, the daily dose, and the dose at each time point.

[0129] In the example of prescription information shown in Fig. 36, a three-day supply of drugs is prescribed in one prescription, the required number of drugs A in one prescription is 9, and the required number of drugs B in one prescription is 6. The required number of drugs A is 1 each after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The required number of drugs B is 0 each after breakfast and dinner, and 2 after lunch.

[0130] In this embodiment, it is assumed that one piece of packaging information is created based on one piece of prescription information. In this case, one prescription corresponds to one piece of packaging information based on one piece of prescription information.

[0131] As another example, multiple packaging information may be created based on one prescription information. For example, if one prescription information contains three types of drugs, first packaging information may be created for two of the three drugs, and second packaging information may be created for the remaining drug. In this case, each of the multiple packaging information created corresponds to one prescription as referred to here.

[0132] As another example, one package information may be created based on a part of one prescription information. For example, if one prescription information contains three types of drugs, one package information may be created for two of the three drugs, and no package information may be created for the remaining drug. In this case, the created package information corresponds to one prescription.

[0133] 35, the prescription information receiving device 90 inputs packaging information corresponding to the input prescription information to the operation panel 50. The packaging information includes information for packaging medicines according to the prescription information.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 35, after packaging information is input from the prescription information receiving device 90 to the operation panel 50, selection information for selecting which of the multiple drug supply devices is to supply the drug, and a packaging instruction for causing the drug packaging device 400 to start the packaging operation are input from an input section provided on the operation panel 50.

[0135] 35, when a packaging instruction is input to the input section of the operation panel 50, packaging information including selection information is input from the operation panel 50 to the main controller 41. The main controller 41, to which the packaging information including selection information has been input, inputs the required number of drugs for one prescription to the controller 11 of the first drug supply device 10 selected by the selection information. As described above, a packaging information signal including drug packaging information is input to the control device unit 460 constituted by the controllers 11 of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 and the main controller 41.

[0136] Thereafter, the main control unit 41 sequentially inputs, at an appropriate timing, the number of medicines required in one packet and a supply instruction to start the supply operation to the control unit 11. When the supply instruction is input, the control unit 11 executes the supply operation for one packet. When the supply operation for one packet is completed, a completion notice to that effect is input from the control unit 11 to the main control unit 41.

[0137] When the packaging operation for one prescription is completed, a completion notice to that effect is input from the main control unit 41 to the operation panel 50.

[0138] Fig. 37 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control unit of the medicine supplying device to which the required number of medicines in one prescription is input from the main control unit. As shown in Fig. 37, the control unit 11 of the first medicine supplying device 10 to which the required number of medicines in one prescription is input from the main control unit 41 identifies the medicine containing container 300 based on an input signal from the identification sensor 234 (step S11). The control unit 11, having identified the medicine containing container 300, causes the medicine refilling unit 12 to start refilling medicines (step S12).

[0139] Fig. 38 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control unit when replenishing medicines by the medicine replenishing unit. As shown in Fig. 38, after starting replenishing medicines by the medicine replenishing unit 12 (step S12), the control unit 11 determines whether the supply quantity is less than the required quantity of medicines for one prescription (step S21).

[0140] 36, the control unit 11 of the first drug supplying device 10 equipped with the drug-containing container 300 containing drug A determines whether the number of drug A to be supplied is less than the required number, which is 9. The control unit 11 of the first drug supplying device 10 equipped with the drug-containing container 300 containing drug B determines whether the number of drug B to be supplied is less than the required number, which is 6.

[0141] When the supplied quantity is less than the required quantity of medicine in one prescription, the control unit 11 determines from the medicine detection signal whether the medicine detection sensor 235, which is the medicine detection unit, has detected the presence of medicine at the medicine receiving position (step S22).

[0142] When the medicine detection sensor 235 is in the first detection state where it detects that there is medicine at the medicine receiving position, the control unit 11 stops the third motor 272, which is a refill motor (step S23). That is, when the medicine detection unit is in the first detection state, the control unit 11 stops the refilling of medicine by the medicine refill unit 12. After this, the control unit 11 returns to step S21.

[0143] When the medicine detection sensor 235 is in the second detection state where it detects that there is no medicine at the medicine receiving position, the control unit 11 rotates the third motor 272 in the forward direction (step S24). That is, when the medicine detection unit is in the second detection state, the control unit 11 causes the medicine replenishing unit 12 to replenishing medicine. After this, the control unit 11 returns to step S21.

[0144] As described above, the control unit 11 receives a medicine detection signal from the medicine detection unit, and controls the medicine refill unit 12 in response to the medicine detection signal.

[0145] The control unit 11 may be configured to cause the medicine replenishing unit 12 to replenish medicine after a standby time has elapsed since the medicine detection unit changed from the first detection state to the second detection state. As described above, the control unit 11 receives a medicine information signal having medicine information on the shape of the medicine, which is included in the detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234. The control unit 11 sets the standby time according to the medicine information.

[0146] When the number of supplies is equal to or greater than the number of medicines required for one prescription, the control unit 11 rotates the third motor 272 in the reverse direction (step S25). This allows the medicines contained in the medicine-containing container 300 to be returned to the inside of the medicine-containing container 300 from the first opening 313 side. The control unit 11 stops the third motor 272 after a certain time has elapsed since rotating the third motor 272 in the reverse direction (step S26).

[0147] The control unit 11 may be configured to stop replenishing of medicines by the medicine replenishing unit 12 when the medicine detection unit changes from the second detection state to the first detection state in a state where the number of supplies is less than the number of medicines required for one prescription, and to resume replenishing of medicines by the medicine replenishing unit 12 at the later of the time when the operation amount of the medicine supply unit exceeds a set value from the time when the first detection state is reached, and the time when the medicine detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state. In this case, the control unit 11 sets the set value according to the medicine information.

[0148] The operation amount of the medicine supplying unit is the accumulated rotation angle of first rotating unit 111 in rotation direction 2 in the medicine supplying unit from the time when the first detection state is reached, or the accumulated drive time of first rotating unit 111 in rotation direction 2. Specifically, the set value of the accumulated rotation angle is, for example, 60°. Alternatively, the set value of the accumulated drive time is, for example, the drive time required for the accumulated rotation angle to reach 60°.

[0149] The above-mentioned replenishing operation is performed as needed in each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 that supply drugs required for one prescription. In this embodiment, the control device unit 460, in accordance with the packaging information, causes the drug replenishing unit 12 to start replenishing drugs in the first drug supply device 10 that supplies drugs next to the first drug supply device 10 that is currently supplying drugs, before the initial operation start time of the drug supply unit. In detail, when the control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 receives input of the number of drugs required for one prescription from the main control unit 41, the control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 causes the drug replenishing unit 12 to start replenishing drugs. The control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 causes the drug replenishing unit 12 to start replenishing drugs even if a supply instruction is not input from the main control unit 41.

[0150] Specifically, in the example of packaging information shown in FIG. 36, while the first drug supplying device 10 supplying drug A supplies three packets of drug A for the first to third days after breakfast, the control device unit 460 causes the first drug supplying device 10 supplying three packets of drug B for the first to third days after lunch to start replenishing the drug by the drug replenishing unit 12 before the first motor 270 of the drug supplying module 100 starts to drive.

[0151] More preferably, when the first medicine supply device 10 that supplies medicines next starts supplying medicines, the medicine replenishing section 12 has completed the first replenishing and medicines are present in the medicine receiving position.

[0152] The control device unit 460 stops the replenishing of medicines by the medicine replenishing unit 12 in sequence, starting from the first medicine supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of medicines for one prescription, according to the packaging information.

[0153] 36, the control device unit 460 stops the replenishing of drug B by the drug replenishing unit 12 of the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the drug B required for three packets from the first to third days after lunch and has finished supplying the required number of drug B for one prescription. The control device unit 460 then stops the replenishing of drug A by the drug replenishing unit 12 of the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the drug A required for three packets from the first to third days after dinner and has finished supplying the required number of drug A for one prescription.

[0154] Fig. 39 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control unit of the medicine supplying device that has received the required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit. As shown in Fig. 39, in the control unit 11 of the first medicine supplying device 10 that has received the required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit 41, the control unit 11 opens the discharge unit 131 that has been blocked by the opening / closing unit 141 (step S31).

[0155] After opening discharge unit 131, control unit 11 causes medicine supplying module 100, which is a medicine supply unit, to start supplying medicines in one package (S32). After causing medicine supplying module 100 to start supplying medicines (step S32), control unit 11 counts the number of medicines supplied from medicine supplying module 100 (step S33). When the number of medicines supplied reaches or exceeds the required number of medicines in one package, control unit 11 ends the supply of medicines by medicine supplying module 100 (step S34).

[0156] Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether the number of medicines to be supplied is equal to or greater than the number of medicines required for one prescription (step S35). If the number of medicines to be supplied is equal to or greater than the number of medicines required for one prescription, the control unit 11 closes the discharge unit 131 by the opening / closing unit 141 (step S36). If the number of medicines to be supplied is less than the number of medicines required for one prescription, the control unit 11 ends the supply operation of one package of medicines while keeping the discharge unit 131 open.

[0157] Fig. 40 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control unit when the medicine supply unit supplies medicines. As shown in Fig. 40, after the control unit 11 starts supplying medicines by the medicine supply module 100 (step S32), it determines whether the number of medicines supplied is less than the required number of medicines in one package (step S41).

[0158] 36, when packaging on the first day after lunch, the control unit 11 of the first drug supplying device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 containing drug A determines whether the number of drug A to be supplied is less than the required number, which is 1. The control unit 11 of the first drug supplying device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 containing drug B determines whether the number of drug B to be supplied is less than the required number, which is 2.

[0159] When the number of supplies is less than the number of medicines required for one package, the control unit 11 drives the first motor 270, which is a supply motor, in the forward direction and drives the eccentric motor 273, which is a vibration motor (step S42). As a result, the first rotating unit 111 and the second rotating unit 112 each rotate in the forward direction and the vibration unit 260 vibrates.

[0160] Thereafter, the control section 11 determines whether the first sensor 231, which is the first detection section, has detected the medicine based on the presence or absence of an input of a first detection signal from the first sensor 231 (step S43).

[0161] When the first sensor 231 detects the medicine, the control unit 11 stops the first motor 270 and also stops the eccentric motor 273 (step S44). In this way, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily stops the transport of the medicine by the medicine supply unit.

[0162] Thereafter, the control unit 11 drives the first motor 270 in the reverse direction by a set amount (step S45). In this manner, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily reverses the direction in which the medicine is transported by the medicine supply unit.

[0163] After driving the first motor 270 in the reverse direction by a set amount, the control unit 11 stops the first motor 270 and returns to step S41.

[0164] When the supply number is equal to or greater than the required number of medicines in one packet, the control unit 11 ends the supply operation of one packet of medicines (step S34).

[0165] Fig. 41 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control unit when counting the medicines supplied by the medicine supply unit. As shown in Fig. 41, when counting the medicines supplied by the medicine supply unit (step S33) is started, the control unit 11 determines whether the first sensor 231, which is the first detection unit, has detected the medicine based on the presence or absence of an input of a first detection signal from the first sensor 231 (step S51).

[0166] The control unit 11 turns on the arrival flag when the first sensor 231 detects the medicine (step S52). When the first sensor 231 does not detect the medicine, the control unit 11 leaves the arrival flag as it is.

[0167] Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether the second sensor 232, which is the second detection unit, has detected the drug based on the presence or absence of an input of a second detection signal from the second sensor 232 (step S53). In step S53, when the second sensor 232 is detecting the drug, the drug is blocking the optical axis between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit that constitute the second sensor 232.

[0168] When the second sensor 232 detects the medicine in step S53, the control unit 11 determines whether the second sensor 232, which is the second detection unit, has not detected the medicine based on the presence or absence of an input of a second detection signal from the second sensor 232 (step S54). In step S54, when the second sensor 232 is not detecting the medicine, the medicine passes through the optical axis between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit constituting the second sensor 232, and the optical axis returns to its original open state. When the second sensor 232 has not detected the medicine in step S53, the control unit 11 returns to step S51.

[0169] When the second sensor 232 does not detect the medicine in step S54, the control unit 11 checks whether the arrival flag is on (step S55). When the second sensor 232 does not detect the medicine in step S54, the control unit 11 returns to step S54.

[0170] If the second sensor 232 does not detect the medicine in step S54 and the arrival flag is on, the control unit 11 adds 1 to the supply number (step S56) and turns off the arrival flag (step S57).

[0171] When the second sensor 232 detects the medicine but the arrival flag is off, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality (step S59) and ends the medicine counting. In this way, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality when the second detection signal is input multiple times during the input interval during which the first detection signal is input.

[0172] After turning off the arrival flag in step S57, the control unit 11 determines whether the supply number is equal to or greater than the number of medicines required in one package (step S58). If the supply number is equal to or greater than the number of medicines required in one package, the control unit 11 ends counting the medicines. If the supply number is less than the number of medicines required in one package, the control unit 11 returns to step S51.

[0173] As described above, the control unit 11 receives a first detection signal from the first sensor 231, controls the drug supply unit in response to the first detection signal, and receives a second detection signal from the second sensor 232, and counts the drugs supplied from the drug supply unit in response to the second detection signal.

[0174] In this embodiment, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 controls the medicine supply unit according to the medicine information. Specifically, when the medicine information determines that the medicine contained inside the medicine containing container 300 is a general medicine, since the general medicine has a large amount of discharge to the medicine supply unit per rotation amount of the medicine containing container 300, the control unit 11 stops the rotation drive of the medicine containing container 300 immediately after the medicine detection sensor 235 detects that the medicine is present at the medicine receiving position. After that, when the medicine detection sensor 235 no longer detects the medicine, the control unit 11 resumes the rotation drive of the medicine containing container 300. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine from being oversupplied to the medicine supply unit.

[0175] When the medicine stored in the medicine-containing container 300 is determined to be a special medicine from the medicine information, the amount of the special medicine discharged to the medicine supply unit per rotation of the medicine-containing container 300 tends to be small, so the control unit 11 makes the time from when the medicine detection sensor 235 detects that the medicine is present at the medicine receiving position to when the rotation drive of the medicine-containing container 300 is stopped longer than in the case of a general medicine. Alternatively, the control unit 11 makes the rotation speed of the medicine-containing container 300 higher than in the case of a general medicine. Furthermore, the control unit 11 also makes the rotation speed of the rotor 110 higher than in the case of a general medicine. In this way, even in the case of a special medicine that is difficult to discharge by rotation drive, the time required for refilling the medicine can be made closer to that of a general medicine, and the medicine can be supplied one by one from the discharge unit 131.

[0176] In this embodiment, in the first drug supply device 10, when a drug is discharged from the discharge section 131, the rotating body 110 and the vibration section 260 are each temporarily stopped, and the rotating body 110 is temporarily reversed, so that the next drug to be discharged from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s.

[0177] In addition, in the first medicine supply device 10, when the medicine is discharged from the discharge section 131, the vibration section 260 may be temporarily stopped and the rotating body 110 may be temporarily stopped, so that the medicine to be discharged next from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s.

[0178] In the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460, in accordance with the packaging information, causes the drug refilling unit 12 to start refilling drugs in the first drug supplying device 10 that will supply drugs next to the first drug supplying device 10 currently supplying drugs, before the first operation start time of the drug supplying module 100. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the drug supplying module 100 starts supplying drugs to when the drugs are supplied, and therefore, the time required for packaging can be shortened.

[0179] In the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460 stops the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling drugs in sequence, starting from the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of drugs for one prescription, according to the packaging information. This makes it possible to prevent the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling the drug supply module 100 with an excessive amount of drugs.

[0180] In the medicine packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460 receives a medicine detection signal from the medicine detection sensor 235 and, in response to the medicine detection signal, stops the medicine replenishing unit 12 from replenishing medicines when the medicine detection sensor 235 is in a first detection state, and causes the medicine replenishing unit 12 to replenishing medicines when the medicine detection sensor 235 is in a second detection state. This allows the medicine supply module 100 to be appropriately replenished with medicines from the medicine replenishing unit 12 through simple control.

[0181] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 receives a medicine detection signal from the medicine detection sensor 235 and controls the medicine replenishing unit 12 in response to the medicine detection signal. This allows the need for replenishing medicine to be detected early and allows the medicine replenishing unit 12 to appropriately replenish medicine to the medicine supplying module 100, thereby shortening the time required to supply medicine.

[0182] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 stops the medicine replenishing unit 12 from replenishing medicines when the medicine detection sensor 235 is in the first detection state, and causes the medicine replenishing unit to replenishing medicines when the medicine detection sensor 235 is in the second detection state. This allows the medicine supplying module 100 to be appropriately replenished with medicines from the medicine replenishing unit 12 by simple control.

[0183] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 causes the medicine replenishing unit 12 to replenish medicines after a standby time has elapsed since the medicine detection sensor 235 changed from the first detection state to the second detection state. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine replenishing unit 12 from replenishing the medicine to the medicine supplying module 100 excessively.

[0184] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 sets the above-mentioned waiting time in accordance with the medicine information. This allows the medicine supplying module 100 to be appropriately replenished with medicines from the medicine replenishing unit 12 in accordance with the type of medicine.

[0185] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 stops the medicine supplying unit 12 from supplying medicine when the medicine detection sensor 235 changes from the second detection state to the first detection state, and resumes the medicine supplying unit 12 from supplying medicine at the later of the time when the operation amount of the medicine supplying module 100 exceeds a set value from the above time, or the time when the medicine detection sensor 235 changes from the first detection state to the second detection state. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine supplying module 100 from being excessively supplied with medicine from the medicine supplying unit 12.

[0186] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 sets the above set value in accordance with the medicine information. Medicines can be appropriately replenished from the medicine replenishing unit 12 to the medicine supplying module 100 in accordance with the type of medicine.

[0187] In the first drug supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 receives a first detection signal from the first sensor 231, controls the drug supplying module 100 in response to the first detection signal, and receives a second detection signal from the second sensor 232, and counts the drugs supplied from the drug supplying module 100 in response to the second detection signal. As a result, even if the first sensor 231 detects a plurality of drugs in an overlapping state, the second sensor 232 detects the plurality of drugs in a scattered state, so that it is possible to detect that a plurality of drugs have been discharged simultaneously from the discharge unit 131.

[0188] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily reverses the direction of medicine transport by the medicine supplying module 100. This makes it possible to prevent a plurality of medicines from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 at the same time.

[0189] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily stops the transport of medicine by the medicine supplying module 100. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent a plurality of medicines from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 at the same time.

[0190] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a medicine information signal having medicine information on the shape of the medicine is input to the control unit 11. When the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 controls the medicine supplying module 100 according to the medicine information. As described above, after the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 determines whether to temporarily stop the medicine supplying module 100 from conveying the medicine or to temporarily reverse the direction of medicine conveying by the medicine supplying module 100 according to the medicine information. In addition, the control unit 11 determines the time for pausing or the time for temporarily conveying in the reverse direction according to the medicine information. This makes it possible to suppress simultaneous discharge of multiple medicines from the discharge unit 131 in a manner according to the type of medicine.

[0191] In the first medicine supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 determines that an abnormality has occurred when the second detection signal is input multiple times during an input interval during which the first detection signal is input. This makes it possible to detect an abnormality in which multiple medicines are discharged simultaneously from the discharge unit 131.

[0192] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be a basis for a restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the claims. Also, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0193] 1,3 axis, 2 rotation direction, 4 perpendicular line, 10 first medicine supply device, 11 control unit, 12 medicine replenishing unit, 20 second medicine supply device, 30 third medicine supply device, 41 main control unit, 50 operation panel, 90 prescription information reception device, 100 medicine supply module, 110 rotating body, 110s inclined surface, 111 first rotating unit, 111c first groove portion, 111g first driven gear, 112 second rotating unit, 112c second groove portion, 112g second driven gear, 120 cover member, 121 first peripheral wall portion, 122 second peripheral wall portion, 123 third peripheral wall portion, 124 first inclined wall portion, 125 second inclined wall portion, 126,340 cover portion, 127 medicine supply hole, 128 notch portion, 129 mounting portion, 130 Discharge member, 130b bearing portion, 131 discharge portion, 132 standing wall portion, 140 opening / closing member, 140b, 341h engagement hole, 140s rotating shaft, 140t biasing member, 141 opening / closing portion, 142 drug stopper portion, 150 support portion, 151 horizontal surface portion, 152 standing portion, 153 base portion, 160 vibration transmission plate, 170 buffer member, 200 base portion, 210 first drive shaft, 211g first drive gear, 212g second drive gear, 220 discharge chute, 231 first sensor, 232 second sensor, 233 container detection sensor, 234 identification sensor, 235 drug detection sensor, 236 module detection sensor, 237 opening / closing sensor, 238 stop switch, 240 second drive shaft, 250 display portion, 260 Vibration unit, 270 first motor, 271 second motor, 272 third motor, 273 eccentric motor, 281, 282 roller unit, 290 connection pipe, 300 medicine container, 310 main body tube, 312 spiral groove, 312e end, 313 first opening, 314 second opening, 315 circumferential groove, 320 cylindrical portion, 330 bottom portion, 330b bottom surface, 330c annular portion, 331 identifier, 332 disk portion, 341 outer lid, 341a arm portion, 342 inner lid, 342c inner lid surface, 342h opening, 342p pivot shaft portion, 342s engagement protrusion, 400 medicine packaging device, 410 housing, 420 rotating drum, 421 medicine transport path, 430 hopper, 440 drug packaging equipment unit, 450 drug supply equipment unit, 460 control equipment unit.

Claims

1. A plurality of drug supply units each supplying a drug one by one; a plurality of drug replenishing units that replenishing the drug from a drug storage container that contains the drug to the drug supply unit; A control unit selectively controls the plurality of drug supply units and the plurality of drug refill units based on prescription information, The medicine supplying device, wherein the medicine supplying unit and the medicine containing container are each separately attachable to and detachable from a base unit.

2. The medicine supply device according to claim 1 , wherein one medicine container selected from the plurality of medicine containers is attached to the base portion.

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