Tablet Alignment Turntable with Positioning Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tablet testing devices face challenges in aligning tablets of different shapes and sizes gently, quickly, and easily while ensuring problem-free cleanability and minimizing damage from forces applied during alignment.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a turntable with positioning surfaces that rotate to align tablets, allowing for automatic and force-minimal alignment, combined with a breaking jaw for measurement and a rake for easy cleanup, controlled by a computer for efficient testing without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a groove in the weighing pan bottom is used to align oblong tablets, then correct alignment is achieved, but the tablet is subjected to considerable forces during chute passage that could lead to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is separated from the weighing function. Instead of using the weighing pan bottom for alignment, the patent introduces a separate positioning element (the rod with positioning surface) that performs alignment independently, allowing the weighing pan to focus solely on measurement without compromising either function
Solution Approach 2:
A rod with a positioning surface acts as an intermediary element between the tablet and the weighing pan. This mediator provides the alignment function through its positioning surface while the weighing pan remains dedicated to measurement, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces during alignment
2Productivity
If counter-rotating centering rollers are used to align tablets of different shapes and sizes, then alignment speed is improved, but the apparatus becomes difficult to clean after fracture tests
Solution Approach 1:
The complex roller mechanism is replaced by a simpler positioning rod with a positioning surface. This extraction of the essential alignment function (positioning the tablet) from the complex roller system eliminates the cleaning difficulties while maintaining alignment effectiveness for tablets of different shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rotating rollers that create friction and complexity, the patent uses a stationary positioning surface that the tablet contacts during rotation. This inversion of the approach simplifies the structure and improves cleanability while maintaining alignment functionality
3Manufacturing precision
If a pivotable rocker is used to align tablets under gravity, then alignment is achieved, but the forces acting on the tablet during alignment can be too high due to the required pivoting speed
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet is positioned on the turntable before rotation begins, and the positioning surface is already in place. As the turntable rotates, the tablet naturally contacts the positioning surface and aligns without requiring high-speed pivoting movements, thus reducing the forces applied to the tablet while achieving accurate alignment
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 rapid, accurate, and gentle alignment of tablets, facilitating efficient measurement and testing while ensuring easy cleanup and minimizing tablet damage, allowing for high-throughput quality control in tablet testing.
Implementation Method 1
The tablet is placed on the initially horizontal rocker, which now performs a pivoting movement. The action of gravity and pivoting motion causes the tablet to align with a positioning surface.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for testing tablets. In the process, a tablet is brought onto a rotary disk (1) by a transport rack (6). The rotary disk (1) positions the tablet (7) along one or more positioning surfaces by rotating. The positioning surfaces are preferably an abutment (2) and a stop (3). As soon as the tablet (7) is aligned on a positioning surface, a test of the tablet (7) is carried out by means of a breaking jaw (4). The breaking jaw can test the diameter as well as the breaking resistance of the tablet (7). The transport rack removes the tablet or the tablet debris from the rotary disk (1) after the tablet (7) has been checked.