Inclined Ring Transfer for Low-Speed Dosage Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional alignment transfer devices face difficulties in reliably transferring solid dosage forms at low speeds, as reducing transfer speed to secure printing time can result in insufficient centrifugal force, making it challenging to move the dosage forms between components.

Innovation Solution

The alignment transfer device employs a configuration with inclined rotary and peripheral rings, featuring specific angles and recesses to maintain alignment and transfer, allowing for low-speed operation by using centrifugal force effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the transfer speed is reduced to secure printing time, then the printing time is increased, but the centrifugal force becomes insufficient and reliable transfer cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting timeVSAvoidtransfer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs curved inclined surfaces on the rotary disk and ring-shaped walls instead of flat surfaces. The bottom wall of the rotary disk has an inclined curved surface, and the peripheral walls of the rings have inclined surfaces that guide the solid dosage form. These curved surfaces work together to reliably transfer the dosage form even at low speeds by utilizing gravitational and centrifugal forces effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the transfer mechanism by stacking multiple rings (first ring, second ring, third ring) at different heights. The solid dosage form moves not only radially outward but also vertically upward through the inclined surfaces of successive rings. This multi-dimensional transfer path ensures reliable progression of the dosage form from the rotary disk through multiple rings to the suction roller, maintaining transfer reliability at reduced speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the transfer speed is reduced to accommodate downstream processing, then the printing or inspection quality can be improved, but the centrifugal force becomes too weak to move the dosage form reliably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint densityVSAvoidcentrifugal force
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The curved inclined surfaces on the rotary disk bottom wall and ring peripheral walls create an effective force component that acts along the transfer path. The inclination angles of these curved surfaces are optimized to ensure that gravitational and centrifugal forces combine to move the solid dosage form reliably, even when rotational speed is reduced for high-quality printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer process is divided into multiple segments through the use of separate rings (first, second, and third rings) with their own inclined surfaces. Each ring segment handles a portion of the transfer task, allowing the system to maintain effective force application at each stage even when overall transfer speed is reduced for improved print density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple rings with inclined surfaces are added to ensure low-speed transfer, then transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-speed transfer reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of rings and inclined surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each ring in the system serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, provides an inclined transfer surface for moving the solid dosage form radially and vertically, and contributes to the overall alignment and positioning of the dosage form. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the transfer function and the support function into a single integrated ring structure. The rings are rotatably supported on the common rotation axis while simultaneously providing the inclined surfaces needed for dosage form transfer. This merging of functions into unified components helps manage device complexity while achieving reliable low-speed transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures reliable alignment and transfer of solid dosage forms even at reduced speeds, accommodating the processing capabilities of downstream devices like printing or inspection apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

when each of them is individually rotationally driven in the arrow direction, a solid dosage form P supplied onto the rotary disk 101 receives a centrifugal force and moves to the upper portion of the peripheral wall of the second ring 103

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4671164A1Alignment conveyance device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 QUALICAPS CO LTD
  • EP4671164A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671164A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4671164A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Included are: a rotary disk 10 that has a disk-shaped bottom wall 11 and is rotatably supported; a first ring 20 that has a first peripheral wall 21 surrounding the bottom wall 11 and is rotatably supported; and a second ring 30 that has a second peripheral wall 31 surrounding the first peripheral wall 21 and is rotatably supported, in which: a first transfer part 91 and a second transfer part 92 are provided in upper portions of the first peripheral wall 11 and the second peripheral wall 21, respectively; an outer peripheral side of the first transfer part 91 is inclined downward with respect to a first virtual plane V1 orthogonal to a rotation axis 20X of the first ring 20; and an outer peripheral side of the second transfer part 92 is inclined downward with respect to a second virtual plane V2 orthogonal to a rotation axis of the second ring 30.