Vibratory Tablet Feeder Singulation via Wiper and Chamfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object counters, such as optical counters, struggle with accurate counting when objects are not in a singulated flow due to bunching, leading to erroneous counts as they often misinterpret multiple objects stacked or side-by-side as a single entity.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory tablet feeder system with a wiper and chamfered edge is used to guide vertically and horizontally bunched tablets back into the reservoir, ensuring a singulated flow at the exit opening, utilizing a feed bowl with a ramp and adjustable wiper assembly to separate tablets before they reach the counting sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If objects are conveyed in a flow without singulation, then the conveying process is simple and continuous, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to bunching of multiple objects together
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying path is segmented into distinct zones: a reservoir for bulk storage, a ramp for controlled flow, and a singulation zone with wipers. This segmentation allows objects to be separated into discrete units at critical points while maintaining continuous overall flow, resolving the contradiction between simple conveying and accurate counting.
Solution Approach 2:
Wipers are introduced as intermediary elements that physically contact and guide objects. These wipers act as mediators between the bulk flow and the counting sensor, ensuring objects pass through the sensing plane one at a time without requiring complete redesign of the conveying system.
2Measurement precision
If a wiper is positioned close to the pathway to guide vertically-bunched tablets, then vertical bunching is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be dynamically positioned at optimal locations relative to the pathway. This adjustability enables the system to adapt to different tablet sizes and flow conditions, improving singulation accuracy without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper operates in a vertical dimension above the pathway, guiding vertically-bunched tablets back onto the flow path. By utilizing the vertical space above the conveying path, the system adds a dimensional element for control without complicating the horizontal conveying mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If the wiper extends further along the pathway, then more effectively guides bunched tablets, but the risk of interfering with singulated flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is designed with varying properties along its length, with different sections having different heights, angles, or contact characteristics. This local variation allows the wiper to be more aggressive in correcting bunching where needed while being gentler in regions where stable flow should be maintained, preventing interference with properly singulated objects.
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 system effectively mitigates vertical and horizontal bunching, ensuring accurate counting by maintaining a singulated flow of tablets, thereby reducing errors in object counting.
Implementation Method 1
Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening
Implementation Method 2
a supply of tablets that are loaded into the feed bowl move by centrifugal force, gravity and friction to the ramp
Implementation Method 3
a supply of tablets that are loaded into the feed bowl move by centrifugal force, gravity and friction to the ramp and then move by centripetal force, gravity and friction along the ramp to the exit opening
Implementation Method 4
a supply of tablets that are loaded into the feed bowl move by centrifugal force, gravity and friction to the ramp and then move by centripetal force, gravity and friction along the ramp to the exit opening
Data Source
AI summary
A vibratory tablet feeder includes a reservoir for storing a supply of tablets with a pathway that leads to an exit opening for discharging tablets therefrom. Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening. The feeder can include a wiper spaced vertically from the pathway. The wiper has a wiping surface that is configured to guide at least one vertically-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening. A portion of the pathway may define a chamfered edge that is configured to guide at least one horizontally-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening.