Angled Baffle Medication Dispenser Prevents Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for dispensing bottled medication in hospitals and pharmacies are inefficient, error-prone, and labor-intensive, and existing automatic dispensing devices are not well-suited for bottled medications due to jamming issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A baffle blocking type medication dispensing unit with a medication container angled at greater than 10° and a rotary dispensing baffle mechanism that ensures smooth dispensing by blocking and opening to prevent jamming, using an elastic strip to secure the baffle in place, allowing for reliable and efficient dispensing of medications in a single row.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple rows and columns of bottled injections are placed in the medication container, then the medication storage capacity is increased, but the blocking is prone to happen during the process of adjacent sawteeth of sorting turntable driving the bottled injection, resulting in unsmooth medication dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medication container into multiple single-row compartments, each handling one bottle at a time. This segmentation prevents multiple bottles from interfering with each other during dispensing, eliminating blocking issues while maintaining adequate storage capacity through vertical stacking of containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal multi-row storage to vertical stacking of single-row containers. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system maintains high storage capacity without the horizontal crowding that causes blocking during dispensing operations.
2Measurement precision
If a detection device is added to detect vacancy in the placement position, then the dispensing accuracy is improved, but the cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the physical presence or absence of bottles themselves to indicate vacancy, rather than adding separate detection devices. The single-row configuration with gravity-fed dispensing makes vacancy detection inherent to the mechanical operation, eliminating the need for additional sensors or detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, low-cost mechanical indicators such as position markers or visual indicators that can be easily replaced or reset, avoiding expensive electronic detection systems while maintaining adequate vacancy detection capability.
3Ease of operation
If the medication container is tilted at an angle greater than 10°, then the medication discharging end is lower than its rear end, but the structure complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the container and dispensing mechanism as an integrated unit where the tilt angle is built into the structure, creating a natural gravity flow path. This eliminates the need for complex adjustable positioning mechanisms while maintaining the beneficial gravity-assisted dispensing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the tilt angle parameter to greater than 10° to ensure proper gravity flow for medication discharge. This specific parameter change creates sufficient gravitational force to move bottles smoothly without requiring additional mechanical assistance, balancing discharge efficiency with structural 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 solution provides a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method for dispensing bottled medications by preventing jamming and ensuring accurate dispensing with a simpler structure, reducing waiting times and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic strip is set at the front end of the bottom wall... When the dispensing baffle is in the working state of closing and blocking, the elastic strip is connected between the blocking portion of the dispensing baffle and front end of the bottom wall
Implementation Method 2
The medication container is arranged at an angle of greater than 10° between its lengthwise direction of the medication container and the horizontal plane to make the medication discharging end lower than its rear end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A baffle blocking type medication dispensing unit for bottled medication, wherein: bottled medication (3) is laid flat in the medication container (1) in a single row; the medication container (1) is arranged at an angle of greater than 10° between its lengthwise direction and the horizontal plane to make the medication discharging end lower than its rear end and the opening of the medication discharging end is the medication outlet (14); the medication discharging mechanism (2) comprises a dispensing baffle (21) and the dispensing baffle (21) is hinged at the medication outlet (14), and when the dispensing baffle (21) is in the working state of closing and blocking, it blocks the medication outlet (14), and when the dispensing baffle (21) is in the working state of turning over and opening, the dispensing baffle (21) is turned down to be connected with the front side of the bottom wall (11), and the first bottled medication (3) at the dispensing end is dispensed forward on the straight plate portion (211) of the dispensing baffle (21) and the blocking portion (212) blocks the second bottled medication (3) at the dispensing end.