Rotating Hopper Dispenser Vacuum Blocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for solid substances, such as pills or capsules, face issues with dust pollution and the potential retention of lightweight medicines due to vacuum suction, which can lead to contamination and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a feeder section with feeder units, a collection section with rotatable hoppers, and a dispensing section, equipped with a cleaning device that uses a hub and ducts to create a partial vacuum for removing pollutants. A first blocking member is used to at least partially block the air connection between hoppers and the hub during dispensing, reducing the partial vacuum and preventing retention of solid substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a vacuum device is used to remove pollutants from hoppers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but lightweight solid substances may be retained by the vacuum suction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the vacuum device between active and inactive states based on the operational phase. During cleaning operations, the vacuum is active to remove pollutants. During dispensing operations, the vacuum is deactivated to prevent retention of lightweight solid substances. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by applying vacuum suction only when needed for cleaning, not during dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the same vacuum device for both cleaning and potential dispensing functions, allowing it to serve itself across different operational modes. By controlling when the vacuum is active, the system achieves both pollutant removal and reliable dispensing without requiring separate dedicated systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vacuum suction is applied to clean hoppers, then pollutant accumulation is reduced, but the falling trajectory of medicines is influenced and lightweight medicines may be retained
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum device is dynamically controlled to be active only during cleaning phases when hoppers are stationary or moving slowly, and inactive during dispensing phases when medicines need to fall freely. This temporal separation ensures dust is removed without interfering with the natural falling trajectory of medicines during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs vacuum cleaning as a preliminary action before dispensing operations begin. By completing the cleaning task beforehand, the vacuum is then deactivated, allowing medicines to fall through the hoppers along their natural trajectory without interference during the actual dispensing process.
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
This solution effectively reduces the retention of solid substances, particularly lightweight ones, ensuring accurate dispensing and minimizing contamination risks, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the hub is arranged to be connected to a vacuum source for generating a partial vacuum in the hub
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing solid substances, wherein the apparatus comprises a feeder section with a plurality of feeder units, a collection section with a plurality of hoppers and a dispensing section, wherein the plurality of hoppers are rotatable with respect to the feeder units and a first packing position for dispensing the solid substances to the dispensing section, wherein the apparatus comprises a cleaning device for removing pollutants from the hoppers, wherein the cleaning device comprises a hub and a plurality of ducts forming air connections between the plurality of hoppers and the hub, wherein the cleaning device comprises a first blocking member that is arranged for blocking the air connection between one of the hoppers and the hub when said one hopper is positioned in the first packing position.