Tablet Cassette Sliding Shaft Rotation Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tablet cassettes require complex and costly mechanisms to inhibit rotor rotation when not mounted, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential issues with tablet discharge.
Innovation Solution
A tablet cassette design that uses a sliding shaft and cam mechanism to inhibit rotor rotation without the need for delicate swing members, utilizing a sliding shaft that moves axially to prevent rotation and a cam surface to dislodge tablets, simplifying the mechanism and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a swing member and swing support point are used to inhibit rotor rotation when not mounted, then rotation inhibition is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the swing member and swing support point from the mechanism, extracting only the essential rotation inhibition function. Instead of using a complex swing mechanism, the invention uses a simple sliding shaft that can be directly pushed by the drive shaft to inhibit rotor rotation when the cassette is not mounted, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the rotation inhibition function
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding shaft serves multiple functions: it inhibits rotor rotation when the cassette is not mounted, and it also acts as a push receiving surface for the drive shaft when the cassette is mounted. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a swing member and swing support point are used to inhibit rotor rotation when not mounted, then rotation inhibition is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the swing member and swing support point from the mechanism, extracting only the essential rotation inhibition function. Instead of using a complex swing mechanism, the invention uses a simple sliding shaft that can be directly pushed by the drive shaft to inhibit rotor rotation when the cassette is not mounted, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the rotation inhibition function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and delicate swing members with a simpler, cheaper sliding shaft that performs the same rotation inhibition function. The sliding shaft is a more robust and cost-effective component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed
3Device complexity
If tablets are allowed to accumulate on the rotor body, then tablet containment is simplified, but tablet discharge reliability deteriorates due to agglomerated tablet formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the rotational motion of the rotor body to create mechanical vibration and movement that prevents tablets from accumulating and forming agglomerates. The continuous rotation and the interaction between tablets and the rotor surface generate forces that keep tablets loose and facilitate their discharge, thereby maintaining tablet discharge reliability while keeping the containment structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic rotation of the rotor body to repeatedly move and redistribute tablets, preventing them from settling into fixed positions where they could form agglomerates. This periodic action ensures that tablets are continuously loosened and ready for discharge, maintaining reliability without adding complex anti-agglomeration mechanisms
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
The solution effectively prevents undesired rotation of the rotor when the cassette is not mounted, reduces the formation of agglomerated tablets, and enhances the disentanglement of tablets during discharge, improving the operational reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding shaft (70) which is introduced in the rotary shaft (23) to be movable in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
at least one cam portion (62) configured to project into the additional member containing space (22B)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention provides a tablet cassette with simple means for inhibiting rotation of a rotor when the tablet cassette is not mounted, in order to suppress a cost increase. A plurality of engaged portions 61 are continuously provided about the axial line of a rotary shaft 23 which is hollow at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on an annular inner surface region of a bottom wall portion located a predetermined distance away from the rotary shaft. A sliding shaft 70 is disposed in the rotary shaft 23 to be slidable in the axial direction such that the sliding shaft 70 rotates together with the rotary shaft 23, the rotary shaft 23 is displaced toward a rotor body 22a when the rotary shaft 23 is coupled to a drive shaft 33 and the rotary shaft 23 is displaced toward a bottom wall portion 21A when the rotary shaft 23 is not coupled to the drive shaft 33. Two or more engaging portions 71 are provided on arm portions 72 provided on the sliding shaft 70 to be engaged with some of a plurality of engaged portions 61.