Linear Gate Volumetric Dispenser for Accurate Pill Sizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volumetric dispensing devices face challenges in accurately dispensing materials of varying shapes and sizes due to non-adjustable dimensions and mechanisms that result in inaccurate dispensing, jamming, and potential damage to the units being dispensed, particularly evident in pharmaceutical pills with diverse dimensions and orientations.

Innovation Solution

The use of three independently controllable and linearly movable gates with linear edges allows for precise adjustment of dispensing openings, reducing gaps and preventing multiple units from being dispensed simultaneously, thereby minimizing errors and damage, and employing a microcontroller to control the gates' movement for accurate dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If circular openings with stacked movable dispensing rings are used, then the device can dispense materials of different sizes and shapes, but the dispensing accuracy decreases and jamming occurs when the openings become eccentric

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to dispense different sizes and shapesVSAvoiddispensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing mechanism is segmented into three independently controllable linear gates instead of using stacked circular rings. Each gate can move independently along linear paths, allowing the system to create rectangular openings of various dimensions without the eccentricity problems inherent in stacked circular designs. This segmentation enables precise control over the dispensing aperture geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gates are made dynamically controllable through independent linear movement, allowing the dispensing opening dimensions to be adjusted on-the-fly based on the specific material being dispensed. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains optimal dispensing accuracy for different material sizes and shapes without requiring physical reconfiguration of stacked rings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If non-adjustable dimension devices are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the device cannot accommodate materials of different sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidability to accommodate different sizes and shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates three linearly movable gates that can be independently adjusted to change the dispensing opening dimensions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same device structure to accommodate a wide variety of material sizes and shapes without requiring multiple specialized devices or complex reconfiguration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The three-gate linear dispensing mechanism serves multiple functions: it can dispense materials of different sizes, different shapes, and in different orientations. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized dispensing devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of device dimensions is required, then the device can be adapted to different materials, but the adjustment process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to adapt to different materialsVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with automated control of the three linear gates. The gates can be positioned precisely and adjusted quickly through automated actuation mechanisms, eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone manual adjustment process while maintaining full adaptability to different material dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing system can automatically adjust its opening dimensions based on pre-programmed parameters or real-time feedback, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the adjustment process. This self-adjusting capability reduces both the time required for adaptation and the potential for human error in setting the correct dispensing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If elliptical openings are used to accommodate different pill orientations, then more pill orientations can be accepted, but gaps increase allowing multiple pills to be dispensed simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacceptance of different pill orientationsVSAvoiddispensing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using symmetric elliptical openings that inherently create gaps when accommodating different orientations, the invention employs asymmetric rectangular openings formed by three linear gates. This asymmetric design allows precise fitting to the specific dimensions and orientation of each pill type, eliminating unnecessary gaps while maintaining the ability to accommodate various orientations through automated gate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10093474B2Selectively changeable, volumetric dispensers and methods of dispensing materials having known unit volumes

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 LITTMAN JASON

AI summary

Volumetric dispensers and methods dispense one or more units of a material having units with a volume utilizing independently controllable and linearly movable gates.