Isolated Tablet Hopper With Interrupted Disk Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tablet dispensers are ineffective in protecting product tablets from environmental conditions such as moisture and chemicals, leading to clumping or dissolution, which can clog the dispenser and interfere with sensor operations.
Innovation Solution
A tablet dispenser with a hopper and an interrupted flow path created by rotating disk members, which aligns and realigns apertures to isolate product tablets from external elements and prevent continuous exposure, ensuring proper dispensing and sensor functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If product tablets are stored in a hopper for dispensing, then easy dispensing is achieved, but product tablets are exposed to environmental conditions causing clumping or dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, creating isolated chambers for storing different types of product tablets. This segmentation prevents exposure to environmental conditions while maintaining organized dispensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotatable disk member with apertures acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hopper and dispensing outlet. The disk rotates to selectively align apertures, controlling product flow while protecting tablets from environmental exposure during storage.
2Productivity
If a continuous flow path is used for dispensing, then dispensing speed is improved, but product tablets are continuously exposed to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable disk member creates periodic interruption in the flow path by rotating to align and misalign apertures. This periodic action allows controlled dispensing while maintaining protection during non-dispensing periods, resolving the contradiction between speed and protection.
3Measurement precision
If outlets with sensor holes are used to detect product tablets, then dispensing monitoring is achieved, but holes are blocked by powder or particles disabling the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detection function is extracted from the product flow path. Sensors are positioned to detect tablets through external means or through the rotatable disk mechanism itself, rather than requiring holes in the outlet that would be blocked by powder or particles.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple disk members with apertures are used to create interrupted flow path, then product isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the rotatable disk member: it serves as both a flow control mechanism and a protective barrier. The apertures in the disk provide both product passage and sealing functionality, reducing overall system complexity despite the interrupted flow path requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A preferred embodiment dispenser for dispensing product tablets includes a first disk member, a second disk member, and a third disk member. The first disk member is rotatable and includes a first aperture extending longitudinally through the first disk member. The second disk member is stationary and includes a second aperture extending longitudinally through the second disk member. The third disk member is rotatable and includes a third aperture extending longitudinally through the third disk member. The second aperture is intermittently aligned with the first aperture and the third aperture, the first aperture and the third aperture being positioned at different locations with respect to the second aperture thereby aligning with the second aperture at separate times resulting in an interrupted flow path for the product tablets.