Jaw Arrangement for Tablet Positioning and Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning and aligning non-disc shaped test specimens, such as oblongs, cylinders, or cambered shapes, in quality control devices are inefficient and lack precise alignment for thickness measurement and content determination, particularly for non-rotationally symmetrical objects.
Innovation Solution
A device with a closable and openable jaw arrangement, featuring two opposing jaws with recessed contact surfaces, allows for precise positioning and alignment of tablet-shaped test specimens on a support surface by opening and closing the jaw assembly to hold the specimen in place, enabling defined alignment and positioning through mechanical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual insertion and positioning of test specimens is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The test specimen automatically positions itself during the closing movement of the jaw arrangement. The mechanical derivation of the closing movement from the relative movement between slide and jaw arrangement causes the specimen to be positioned at a point determined by the shape of the contact surfaces without requiring additional positioning mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed jaw arrangement is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different specimen shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw arrangement is designed to be movable and closable, transitioning from an open state to a closed state. This dynamic configuration allows the jaws to adapt to different specimen shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If frictional forces are used for positioning as in the transport star, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision for non-rotationally symmetrical objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based positioning mechanism of the transport star with a mechanical derivation system. The closing movement of the jaw arrangement is mechanically derived from the relative movement between the slide and jaw arrangement, providing precise positioning through geometric constraints rather than friction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The method according to the invention relates to the positioning and optional alignment of an object, for example, pill or coated tablet, on a support surface of a slider, while using a jaw arrangement that can be opened and closed, comprising two jaws that are opposite each other, each of them having a contact surface. At least one of the jaws comprises a recess, shaped such that between the contact surfaces a gap is formed for receiving the object. Said gap can be increased for opening the jaw arrangement and can be decreased for closing the jaw arrangement. When the jaw arrangement is opened, the object can be introduced in the gap via an access opening and can be positively held therein when the jaw arrangement is closed. The following steps are executed: a) the jaw arrangement is opened, b) the object is placed on the support surface, c) the jaw arrangement and the slider are moved relative to each other such that the object moves past the access opening and comes to rest in the gap, d) the jaw arrangement is closed and thus the object is positioned on the support surface of the slider, and optionally aligned.