Solid Substance Dispensing Device with Planar Feeder Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for packing solid substances, such as pills or tablets, are limited by the settling time of each type, which determines the overall time required for a series of packing operations and cannot be further reduced.
Innovation Solution
A device with an array of feeder positions arranged in a plane, where collection trays are movable and elongated to capture discharged substances from multiple feeder units simultaneously, allowing for direct discharge into trays without delay, and a robotic arm for automated feeder unit exchange and cleaning, reducing the time needed for packing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tablets are discharged from feeders and must settle down before discharge to ensure proper positioning, then packing reliability is improved, but the time required for packing operations increases due to the mandatory settling period
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket plate with holes is positioned to receive tablets from feeders before they are discharged to hoppers. Tablets are captured in the pockets and given time to settle in a controlled manner, then released simultaneously when needed. This preliminary capture and controlled release eliminates the need for continuous settling time during the discharge process.
Solution Approach 2:
The pocket plate acts as an intermediary device between the feeders and hoppers. It temporarily holds tablets in pockets, allowing them to settle without blocking the discharge path. The shutter plate then controls the release timing, decoupling the settling process from the discharge timing and enabling faster overall operation.
2Productivity
If multiple feeders are served sequentially by a single hopper as in prior art, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to successive rather than simultaneous collection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single hopper that serves multiple feeders sequentially, the invention divides the collection function into multiple separate hoppers, each dedicated to a specific feeder. This segmentation allows simultaneous collection from multiple feeders, dramatically increasing productivity. The complexity is managed through modular arrangement of the hopper series.
Solution Approach 2:
Each hopper unit serves a dual function: it collects tablets from its dedicated feeder and can be independently controlled for discharge. This multi-functionality at the individual hopper level enables the overall system to handle multiple feeders simultaneously while maintaining simple control logic for each unit.
3Loss of time
If feeders are arranged in a single vertical stack as in prior art, then space utilization is improved, but the time for tablet transport and settling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal planar arrangement of feeders and hoppers. Feeders are positioned at different locations around the pocket plate, and corresponding hoppers are arranged in a series along a horizontal path. This dimensional change shortens the transport path for tablets and eliminates the need for vertical settling distances, reducing transport time while increasing the horizontal footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device which accommodates a series of feeder units (2, 21) arranged for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing. Said device comprises a holding device (3) provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane, a collection frame (4) arranged below the holding device comprising a series of collection trays (41, 41') for capturing discharged solid substances from said feeder units (2, 21) and each collection tray (41, 41') comprises an output opening (42), and a packing unit (5) arranged below the collection frame for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening (42) of a tray and packing said solid substances. The collection frame (4) and the holding device (3) are movable with respect to each other. The collection trays (41, 41') have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said feeder positions.