Division-Packaging Method for Automatic Medicine Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic medicine packaging machines face instability and incapability in packaging doses of medication when the total volume exceeds the established packaging volume of medication envelopes, leading to incomplete packaging.
Innovation Solution
A division-packaging method and apparatus that acquires packaging volumes, computes total medication volumes, judges excess volume, and divides medication into multiple envelopes if necessary, with the controller controlling the packaging process and indicating the division status on the envelopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medication is packaged in envelopes of constant packaging volume, then the packaging process is simple and stable, but packaging fails when total volume of medication exceeds the packaging volume of any single envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the packaging process into two types: single-envelope packaging for medications within volume limits and division-packaging for medications exceeding volume limits. The controller automatically judges whether division-packaging is needed by comparing medication volume with envelope capacity, then divides the medication into multiple envelopes accordingly, resolving the contradiction between packaging stability and volume adaptability.
2Device complexity
If the packaging machine uses fixed envelope sizes, then device complexity is low, but it cannot handle medications with varying volumes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the packaging system to dynamically adjust between single-envelope and division-packaging modes based on real-time volume comparison. The controller automatically determines the appropriate packaging method by comparing medication volume data with envelope capacity data, allowing the fixed-envelope system to adaptively handle varying medication volumes without increasing physical device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If division-packaging is implemented for excess volume medications, then packaging capability is improved, but device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the controller to automatically perform volume comparison, judgment, and division-packaging decisions without external intervention. The system autonomously compares medication volume with envelope capacity, determines whether division is needed, executes the division-packaging process, and prints division indicators on envelopes, thereby improving packaging capability while minimizing the increase in operational complexity.
4Productivity
If division-packaging is performed automatically, then productivity is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing volume data for both medications and envelopes in the controller's memory before the packaging process begins. This allows the controller to perform rapid volume comparisons and make instant division-packaging decisions during production, maintaining high packaging throughput while ensuring precise volume assessment through pre-calculated data rather than real-time measurement.
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 stable packaging by dividing excess medication doses into multiple envelopes, preventing packaging failures and allowing smooth differentiation of division-packaged medication.
Implementation Method 1
Each dose of medication exported to a medication envelope forms a medication package by heat-sealing process with the sealing unit 500.
Data Source
AI summary
A division-packaging method for an automatic medicine packaging machine that allows stable packaging even when total volume of each dose of medication for making a package is bigger than packaging volume of any medication envelope established in the automatic medicine packaging machine and that prevents incapability of packaging due to excess volume of each dose of medication. The method includes step of acquiring packaging volume of each medication envelope; step of computing total volume of each dose of medication; step of judging excess volume of each dose of medication; and step of division-packaging each dose of medication when the total volume of each dose of medication for making a package is bigger than the packaging volume of any medication envelope established in the automatic medicine packaging machine.