Tablet Test Station Lifting Device Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tablet test stations face challenges in accurately and efficiently positioning tablets of various shapes for different test methods, leading to inadequate measurement results and increased operational costs due to the need for multiple test stations and complex positioning mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A tablet test station equipped with a lifting device and a pivotable receptacle, featuring a movable positioning surface and a drive mechanism controlled by a controller for precise and rapid positioning of tablets, allowing for adaptable positioning suitable for any test method and type of automatic feed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple test stations are used for different test methods, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal test station that can perform multiple test methods (hardness testing, thickness measurement, diameter measurement, weight measurement) on a single platform. The positioning device enables this universality by adapting tablet positioning for different test methods, allowing one station to replace multiple specialized stations while maintaining measurement precision for each test type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex positioning mechanisms are used to position tablets for different test methods, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic positioning device with movable and pivotable components that can adapt their configuration based on the specific test method and tablet shape. The positioning device includes movable positioning elements and pivotable receptacles that can be adjusted in real-time, providing precise positioning for different test methods without requiring multiple fixed complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device utilizes adjustable parameters such as position, angle, and orientation to adapt to different tablet shapes and test methods. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system achieves precise positioning for hardness testing, thickness measurement, and other tests without requiring fundamentally different mechanisms for each test type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If manual repositioning of tablets is performed between test methods, then positioning precision can be adjusted, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device is designed to automatically position tablets for different test methods without requiring manual intervention. The automated positioning system uses the tablet's own characteristics (shape, size) to determine the appropriate positioning configuration, performing the positioning function autonomously and maintaining high productivity while ensuring precision for each test method

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If universal positioning method is used for all tablet shapes, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device implements local quality by providing different positioning configurations and mechanisms tailored to specific tablet shapes and test methods. Rather than a single generic positioning method, the system has specialized positioning elements for different tablet types (round, oval, irregular shapes) and test requirements, ensuring optimal positioning precision for each case while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2776828B1Tablet test station
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 SOTAX AG
  • EP2776828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2776828B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2776828B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Tablet test station, including at least one receptacle for the transfer of tablets from an outlet of a feed device and at least one test means for inspecting, testing and/or measuring the tablets. A lifting device (20) is provided for moving the receptacle (15) relative to the feed device (13).