Spring-Suspended Circular Blade for Medication Strip Separation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for separating medication packages from a strip often cause wrinkling and jamming, leading to improper cutting or device breakage due to the interaction between the circular cutting blade and the cutting base.

Innovation Solution

A device with a circular cutting blade arranged perpendicularly to the cutting base, connected via a spring suspension that allows perpendicular movement, preventing wrinkling and jamming by ensuring the blade climbs over the strip and maintains contact with the base, along with a conveyor system and camera for precise cutting and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a circular cutting blade is used to cut the medication strip, then the cutting operation can be performed, but the medication strip wrinkles and jams between the blade and cutting base

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting operationVSAvoidstrip wrinkle and jam prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is made movable in the vertical direction through a spring suspension system, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the strip thickness and maintain stable cutting without causing wrinkles or jams. The blade can move independently to accommodate variations in the strip while remaining engaged with the cutting surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting system is divided into independent functional components: the cutting blade, the spring suspension mechanism, and the conveyor system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the blade cuts, the spring absorbs variations, and the conveyor moves the strip - without interfering with each other, preventing wrinkles and jams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the circular cutting blade is fixed against the cutting base, then cutting can be performed, but the device may break if the strip jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionVSAvoiddevice durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is made movable in the vertical direction through a spring suspension system, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the strip thickness and maintain stable cutting without causing wrinkles or jams. The blade can move independently to accommodate variations in the strip while remaining engaged with the cutting surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring suspension system acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs unexpected forces or jams during cutting. By providing elastic compliance between the blade and the fixed structure, the spring prevents transmission of damaging forces to the device frame, protecting against breakage while maintaining cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If the cutting blade moves strictly horizontally, then cutting precision can be maintained, but the strip may wrinkle due to lack of vertical compliance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidstrip integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is made movable in the vertical direction through a spring suspension system, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the strip thickness and maintain stable cutting without causing wrinkles or jams. The blade can move independently to accommodate variations in the strip while remaining engaged with the cutting surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges horizontal cutting motion with vertical compliance through the spring suspension. The blade simultaneously maintains horizontal positioning for accurate cutting and vertical adaptability through spring movement, combining the benefits of precision and strip stability in a single integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables accurate and reliable separation of medication packages without wrinkling, extends device lifespan, and prevents breakage by ensuring proper cutting and monitoring of the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator is connected to the circular cutting blade with a spring suspension allowing the circular cutting blade to move in opposite third and fourth directions perpendicular to the cutting base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11234901B2Device for separating medication packages and a medication dispenser

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 EVONDOS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for separating medication packages from a strip of medication packages. The device comprises a cutting base along which the strip of medication packages is to be moved, a circular cutting blade arranged perpendicularly against the cutting base, and an actuator connected to the circular cutting blade and configured to move the circular cutting blade in opposite first and second directions for cutting the strip between two successive medication packages. In the device the actuator is connected to the circular cutting blade with a spring suspension allowing the circular cutting blade to move in opposite third and fourth directions perpendicular to the cutting base.