Tablet Cassette Fall Prevention Mechanism for Irregular Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tablet cassettes face difficulties in handling irregularly shaped or halved tablets due to the need for precise adjustments and cumbersome preparations, limiting their ability to perform fully automatic dispensation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a fall prevention mechanism using an elastic or flexible endless belt that repels and sandwiches extra tablets, preventing them from falling into the outlet port, allowing for easy handling of irregularly shaped or halved tablets with minimal adjustments, similar to regularly shaped tablets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tablet cassettes are used for irregularly shaped or halved tablets, then the tablets can be dispensed, but careful adjustments and cumbersome preparations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plate is pre-adjusted to a standard height that is sufficient to prevent extra tablets from falling for all tablet types including irregularly shaped and halved tablets. This preliminary adjustment eliminates the need for trial-and-error positioning and complex preparations when handling different tablet shapes, as the partition plate height is set in advance to accommodate the worst-case scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plate height is changed from a variable parameter requiring adjustment to a fixed parameter set at a standard height. This parameter change simplifies the operation by eliminating the need for manual adjustment and trial-and-error positioning, allowing operators to handle irregularly shaped and halved tablets with the same ease as regularly shaped tablets.
2Manufacturing precision
If partition plate position is adjusted precisely for irregularly shaped tablets, then tablets can be properly partitioned, but time-consuming trial and error adjustments are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plate is pre-adjusted to a standard height that ensures proper tablet positioning for all tablet types without requiring operator intervention for adjustment. This preliminary action eliminates the time-consuming trial-and-error process while maintaining the precision needed for proper tablet partitioning and sequential discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plate is designed to automatically maintain the optimal position for preventing extra tablets from falling, without requiring manual adjustment by the operator. The system serves itself by maintaining the correct partition plate height through its design, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments while ensuring precise tablet positioning.
3Reliability
If partition plate height is increased to prevent extra tablets from falling, then tablets are properly partitioned, but adjustment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plate height is changed from an adjustable parameter to a fixed parameter set at a standard height that is sufficient to prevent extra tablets from falling for all tablet types. This parameter change maintains the reliability of tablet discharge by ensuring proper partitioning while eliminating the complexity of adjustment mechanisms and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plate is designed with a universal standard height that serves multiple functions: it prevents extra tablets from falling for regularly shaped tablets, irregularly shaped tablets, and halved tablets simultaneously. This universal design eliminates the need for different adjustment settings for different tablet types, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable tablet discharge across all tablet shapes.
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 the sequential and proper discharge of irregularly shaped or halved tablets with reduced risk of damage, eliminating the need for complex preparations and adjustments, thus enhancing the efficiency of automated dispensation.
Implementation Method 1
one or more extra tablets which locate on or above or protrude from one tablet receiving portion are pushed toward the rotor by means of a repulsive force generated by an elastic member or a flexible member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~4B
Figure 5
AI summary
A tablet cassette provided herein is conveniently available for irregularly shaped or halved tablets as with regularly shaped tablets. The tablet cassette (270) includes a fall prevention mechanism (280) configured to prevent extra tablets from falling down into an outlet port (228). The fall prevention mechanism (280) has a round belt (281) disposed upwardly of the outlet port (228) and at a position higher than partition portions (225). The fall prevention mechanism (280) is configured to prevent extra tablets from falling such that the extra tablets locating on or above or protruding from one of the tablet receiving portions (226), which comes closest to the outlet port (228) by rotation of the rotor (290), are pushed toward the rotor (290) by means of a repulsive force generated by deformation of the round belt (281) as caused when the extra tablets abut on the round belt (281).