Tablet Cassette Rotor With Adjustable Pockets to Prevent Stagnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tablet cassettes have complex link structures that increase manufacturing costs and require miniaturization of components, leading to degraded functionality and tablet stagnation issues.
Innovation Solution
A tablet cassette with a simplified link mechanism that includes a circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism and a radial expansion-contraction mechanism, allowing independent adjustment of tablet receiving portions, and a tablet moving mechanism using a suspended member to prevent stagnation without modifying the rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex link structure is used to expand and contract tablet receiving portions, then the tablet receiving portions can be adjusted in size, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion-contraction mechanism is divided into independent radial and circumferential components. The radial expansion-contraction mechanism adjusts the radial dimension of tablet receiving portions independently, while the circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism adjusts the circumferential dimension separately. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be simpler and more manageable, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the tablet receiving portions to change size during operation. The radial expansion-contraction mechanism uses movable walls that can be positioned independently, and the circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism uses adjustable partition walls. These dynamic structures enable real-time adaptation to different tablet sizes without requiring a completely rigid link structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the link structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the functionality of adjusting tablet receiving portions is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adjustment function into independent radial and circumferential mechanisms, each mechanism can be manufactured separately with simpler structures. The radial mechanism uses independent movable walls, while the circumferential mechanism uses adjustable partition walls. This segmentation enables cost-effective manufacturing while preserving full adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified mechanisms are designed to perform multiple functions. The radial expansion-contraction mechanism not only adjusts tablet receiving portion size but also maintains structural support. The circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism provides both size adjustment and tablet guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
3Volume of moving object
If components are miniaturized to reduce device size, then the tablet cassette becomes more compact, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is segmented into distinct radial and circumferential adjustment systems, each with appropriate scaling. The radial mechanism uses walls that move independently with controlled dimensions, while the circumferential mechanism uses partition walls with suitable spacing. This segmentation allows each component to be sized appropriately for its function, maintaining reliability while achieving compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment mechanisms allow the tablet receiving portions to adapt to different tablet sizes without requiring excessive miniaturization. The movable walls and adjustable partition walls provide flexibility that reduces the need for extremely small fixed dimensions, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision and component reliability while achieving compact design.
Data Source
AI summary
A tablet cassette includes a tablet container for containing tablets in a random manner and a rotor provided therein and having a plurality of tablet receiving portions, and allows tablets, which have fallen into the tablet receiving portions through axial rotation of the rotor, to successively fall down through a discharge port at the bottom portion of the tablet container. The rotor includes a circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism, a radial expansion-contraction mechanism, and a pressing member externally mounted on a rotary shaft that penetrates a bottom wall portion of the tablet container. The circumferential expansion-contraction mechanism allows the plurality of tablet receiving portions to be expanded and contracted in the circumferential direction in conjunction with each other. The radial expansion-contraction mechanism allows the tablet receiving portions to be individually expanded and contracted by individually moving a plurality of sliding members in the radial direction.