Pivoting Bottom Plate Tablet Dispensing Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medicine supply apparatus experiences unintentional drop of thin tablets due to gaps between the supply cell and the bottom plate, leading to inaccurate dispensing and increased manufacturing costs when trying to enhance dimension and assembly accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A medicine supply apparatus with a tablet supplying portion featuring a bottom plate that pivots to close the lower opening portion, supported by a bottom plate supporting member, where the plate's upper surface is higher and its lower surface is lower than the periphery of the opening portion, reducing the likelihood of tablets passing through the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dimension accuracy and assembly accuracy of parts are enhanced to eliminate the gap Z, then the tablets can be prevented from passing through the gap, but the manufacturing costs of the medicine supply apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate is designed to pivot between a first position (blocking the lower opening portion) and a second position (opened state). The bottom plate supporting member enables this dynamic movement, allowing the system to adapt to dimensional variations without requiring high manufacturing precision. The bottom plate automatically adjusts its position based on the relative movement between the movable plate and tablet supplying portion body, eliminating the need for tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the bottom plate dynamically. By allowing the bottom plate to pivot between different positions rather than maintaining a fixed position, the system can accommodate variations in the gap Z without requiring enhanced manufacturing precision. The bottom plate's position is adjusted based on the operational state rather than being fixed by precise manufacturing dimensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the gap Z exists between the supply cell and the bottom plate, then the manufacturing costs are reduced, but the thin tablets pass through the gap and drop out of the supply cell
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that pivots between positions. When the movable plate moves relative to the tablet supplying portion body, the bottom plate pivots to maintain proper positioning and prevent tablets from passing through, even when manufacturing tolerances result in larger gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom plate automatically adjusts its own position in response to the relative movement between the movable plate and tablet supplying portion body. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for precise manufacturing tolerances, as the bottom plate compensates for dimensional variations through its pivotal movement capability.
3Ease of operation
If the bottom plate is supported from below by the movable plate and fixed plate, then the bottom plate can be made movable to enable tablet discharge, but the positional relationship may vary due to dimension accuracy and assembly accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate is designed with pivotal movement capability, transforming it from a rigidly positioned component to a dynamically adjustable one. This allows the bottom plate to accommodate variations in positional relationship caused by dimensional and assembly inaccuracies while maintaining its functionality for tablet discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows the position parameter of the bottom plate to change dynamically through pivotal movement. This compensates for the variations in positional relationship that arise from manufacturing tolerances, enabling the system to maintain proper operation without requiring high manufacturing precision.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses unintentional tablet drop and maintains accurate dispensing without the need for enhanced manufacturing precision, thereby preventing increased costs.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom plate is attached to the tablet supplying portion body with the first end portion of the bottom plate being supported by the tablet supplying portion body about a pivotal axis extending in the horizontal direction. Consequently, the lower opening portion is opened and closed by a pivotal movement of the second end portion of the bottom plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A tablet supplying portion of a medicine supply apparatus includes: a tablet supplying portion body including a supply cell; a bottom plate; and a bottom plate supporting member. A lower opening portion of the supply cell is opened and closed by the bottom plate. The bottom plate supporting member can restrict a pivotal movement of the bottom plate. The tablet supplying portion body and the bottom plate supporting member are relatively movable in a horizontal direction. The bottom plate pivotally moves between a state where the lower opening portion is blocked from opening and an opened state, along with this relative movement. In a state where the bottom plate closes the lower opening portion, at least part of an upper surface of the bottom plate is located higher than a lower surface in a periphery of the lower opening portion.