Pill Dispensing Mechanism with Rotating Stirring Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for pills and capsules often clog due to compacting or improper positioning, leading to obstruction and failure in dispensing, as they lack effective mechanisms to prevent clogging and ensure proper guidance of the medication.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a hollow body, a rotating container, and integrated stirring means, including a rack and pinion mechanism and stirring flaps, that actuates to rotate and stir the pills or tablets, ensuring they are properly aligned and dispensed one at a time through an outlet channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pills are stored in a container with an outlet channel, then dispensing is enabled, but clogging occurs due to compacting or improper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by rotating the container before dispensing to pre-position pills in the outlet channel and prevent improper positioning. The rotation mechanism actively prepares the pill arrangement in advance, ensuring pills are correctly oriented before they reach the dispensing point, thereby preventing clogging due to misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by introducing a rotatable container that can change its orientation dynamically. The container rotates to different positions during operation, allowing pills to be repositioned and preventing compacting through continuous motion. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable dispensing by adapting the container orientation to optimal dispensing positions.
2Reliability
If a rotatable hopper is used to stir candy, then unclogging from compaction is achieved, but proper guidance to the hopper cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dispensing system into distinct functional components: a rotatable container for stirring and preventing compaction, and a separate dispensing mechanism with outlet channel for guided dispensing. This segmentation allows the container to rotate and stir pills independently while the dispensing mechanism maintains proper guidance and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a rotation mechanism as a mediator between the pill storage and the dispensing outlet. The rotation mechanism stirs and repositions pills to prevent compaction while working in conjunction with the dispensing mechanism to ensure proper guidance. The two mechanisms cooperate to achieve both unclogging and guidance functions.
3Reliability
If guides are provided to direct pills towards the outlet, then obstruction due to incorrect accommodation is avoided, but the device becomes complicated to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the container itself multi-functional: it serves both as the storage vessel and as the guiding mechanism through its rotation capability. The container's rotation automatically positions pills for optimal dispensing without requiring separate complex guide structures. This multi-functionality simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the container to automatically guide and position pills through its own rotation motion. The rotation mechanism causes pills to naturally align and position themselves in the outlet channel without requiring external guiding components. The system guides itself through the rotational movement, eliminating the need for complicated separate guide structures.
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
The device effectively prevents clogging by stirring and aligning pills or tablets, ensuring smooth dispensing and preventing compacted medication from obstructing the outlet, thus facilitating the unitary dosage of pills or tablets.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation mechanism connected to the container and configured to make the same rotate
Implementation Method 2
the tablets or pills being stirred by the operative combination of the rotation with the stirring means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the unitary dosage of tablets or pills comprising a hollow body with a container housed in the same configured to store tablets or pills, the container having an outlet channel, a rotation mechanism connected to the container and configured to make it rotate, a dispensing mechanism connected to the hollow body and operatively connected to the rotation mechanism, configured to house and dispense a tablet or pill, as well as for actuating the rotation mechanism and stirring means connected to the hollow body and to the container, such that the actuation of the dispensing mechanism causes the rotation of the container, the tablets or pills being stirred by the operative combination of the rotation with the stirring means, and wherein during the actuation, the dispensing mechanism dispenses a tablet or pill and/or houses another to be dispensed.