Adjustable Frequency Vibrator for Stable Tablet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic drug packaging apparatuses lack a mechanism for controlling the vibrator, resulting in unstable vibration and inconsistent tablet supply due to varying tablet sizes, shapes, and weights, making it difficult to stably dispense tablets in large pharmacies or hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tablet feeding apparatus with a guide duct, adjustable frequency vibrator, and a controller system that includes a smoothing circuit, PWM control, and voltage variable switching unit to regulate the vibration frequency, ensuring stable and controlled tablet conveyance, and an elastic support plate for efficient vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vibrator is used to discharge tablets from the cartridge, then tablets can be taken out of the cartridge, but the vibration applied is unstable and cannot be controlled according to tablet characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the vibration frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The controller can dynamically change the vibration frequency based on tablet characteristics (size, shape, weight) to optimize discharge performance. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different tablet types while maintaining stable and controllable vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of vibration frequency from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to tablet characteristics. By modifying this physical parameter, the system achieves both reliable vibration stability and adaptability to different tablet types, resolving the contradiction between discharge capability and vibration stability.
2Productivity
If vibration magnitude and period cannot be controlled, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but tablet supply stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a complex mechanical control system with an electronic control system. Instead of using mechanical mechanisms to adjust vibration magnitude and period, the invention uses electronic controllers that can precisely regulate these parameters through electrical signals. This substitution achieves high tablet supply stability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables control over vibration parameters (magnitude and period) by introducing an electronic control system that can adjust these parameters based on tablet characteristics. This allows the system to achieve stable tablet supply without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed frequency vibrator is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to tablets of various sizes, shapes, or weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the vibrator from a fixed-frequency device to a variable-frequency device controlled by an electronic system. This allows the vibrator to adapt to different tablet characteristics (size, shape, weight) by adjusting its operating frequency, achieving versatility without requiring multiple physical vibrators for different tablet types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vibrator universal by enabling it to handle various tablet types through electronic frequency adjustment. Instead of having separate vibrators for different tablet characteristics, a single vibrator can be electronically configured to work with any tablet type, achieving multi-functionality and adaptability while maintaining device simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus provides stable and controlled tablet supply by adjusting vibration frequency according to tablet characteristics, preventing breakage and ensuring efficient operation with reduced power consumption and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first vibrator accommodated in one of a plurality of side pockets provided on an outer side portion of the slider and configured to output vibration energy in response to an external control signal and to be adjustable in output frequency
Implementation Method 2
an elastic support plate received in an outer side surface of the slider
Implementation Method 3
a voltage variable switching unit configured to vary the DC voltage smoothed by the smoothing circuit unit in response to the PWM control signal from the main controller and to apply the DC voltage to the first vibrator
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic tablet feeding apparatus includes a guide duct having a receiving space defined therein to receive tablets introduced thereinto and guide the tablets downward, a slider formed to be inclined downward toward the receiving space, a first vibrator accommodated in an outer side portion of the slider and configured to output vibration energy in response to an external control signal, a vibrator controller configured to control the frequency of the first vibrator, and an elastic support plate received in an outer side surface of the slider. The vibrator controller includes a smoothing circuit unit smoothing a DC voltage, a main controller generating a PWM control signal, and a voltage variable switching unit varying the DC voltage smoothed by the smoothing circuit unit in response to the PWM control signal from the main controller and applying the DC voltage to the first vibrator.