JP7470451B2 - Drug Delivery Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug supply device.

JP 2015-23969 A (Patent Document 1) is a prior document that discloses the configuration of a medicine supply device. The medicine supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a rotating container, an outer wall, a flow guide member, an outlet portion, and a height regulating member. The rotating container has a recessed center so that solid medicines can be randomly stored, and a flange-shaped peripheral portion so that medicines can be arranged in an arc, and is axially rotatable. The outer wall is provided along the outer periphery of the rotating container and is fixed. The flow guide member guides the medicine in the rotating container from the center portion to the peripheral portion. The outlet portion is provided in a manner that penetrates the outer wall, and guides the medicine that has been carried along the outer wall on the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the rotating container from above the peripheral portion to the outside as an outlet. The height regulating member regulates the height of the outlet portion just before the outlet portion.

The drug supply device further includes a width regulating member and a clamping and sending mechanism. The width regulating member is a rocking member arranged on the outer periphery of the inner and outer opposing members provided in the discharge section, and regulates the width of the discharged material by expanding and reducing the free width of the upper surface of the peripheral part of the rotating container by rocking. The clamping and sending mechanism is a belt feed mechanism arranged on the inner periphery of the inner and outer opposing members, reaches the inside of the peripheral part of the rotating container, and clamps the discharged material with the width regulating member to send it at a higher speed than the peripheral part when the rotating container rotates.

JP 2015-23969 A

In the drug supply device described in Patent Document 1, adjustments must be made to the width restriction member and the clamping/delivery mechanism depending on the individual drug.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a drug supply device that can align drugs along the peripheral wall by transporting drugs along the peripheral wall by the rotation of a rotor, and supply drugs one by one in order starting from the drug located downstream in the rotation direction of the rotor, without the need for adjustment work for each individual drug.

The drug supply device according to the present invention comprises a rotor, a peripheral wall, a discharge section, and a vibration section. The rotor rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction, and has a conical inclined surface coaxial with the axis that slopes downward as it approaches the outside in the radial direction centered on the axis. The peripheral wall extends in an arc shape above the inclined surface along the circumferential direction centered on the axis, and supports the drug supplied onto the inclined surface from the outside in the radial direction. The discharge section discharges the drug transported along the peripheral wall by the rotation of the rotor, from above the inclined surface. The vibration section vibrates the peripheral wall.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a standing wall portion. The standing wall portion is provided between the peripheral wall portion and the discharge portion, and supports the medicine from the outside in the radial direction. The standing wall portion is made of a separate member from the peripheral wall portion so that vibrations caused by the vibration portion are not directly transmitted to the standing wall portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a lid portion. The lid portion covers the slope from above. The peripheral wall portion is integrally formed with the lid portion. The vibration portion vibrates the peripheral wall portion via the lid portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the vibration unit is arranged so that it can be moved toward and away from the lid unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact portions of the vibrating portion and the lid portion are attracted to each other by magnetic force.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a support portion. The support portion rotatably supports the rotor. The lid portion is disposed on the support portion. A buffer member is provided between the lid portion and the support portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral wall portion is spaced apart from the inclined surface.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a base portion. A medicine supply module integrally formed with a rotor, a peripheral wall portion, and a discharge portion can be detachably attached to the base portion. A drive source for driving the rotor and a vibration portion are provided on the base portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when a medicine is discharged from the discharge section of the medicine supply device, the vibration section is temporarily stopped and the rotor is temporarily reversed, so that the next medicine to be discharged from the discharge section is held on the inclined surface.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the medicine is discharged from the discharge section in the medicine supply device, the vibration section is temporarily stopped, the rotor is temporarily stopped, and the next medicine to be discharged from the discharge section is held on the inclined surface.

According to the present invention, the medicines are transported along the peripheral wall by the rotation of the rotor, and the medicines can be aligned along the peripheral wall and supplied one by one starting from the medicine located downstream in the rotation direction of the rotor, without the need for adjustments according to each medicine.

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying module included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drug supply module of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow II. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drug supply module of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow III. FIG. 4 is a view of the drug supply module of FIG. 1 as seen in the direction of arrow IV. 2 is a view of the drug supply module of FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow V. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration of a rotating body included in the medicine supply module according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cover member included in a medicine supplying module provided in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of arrow VIII. 9 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 8 as viewed in the direction of arrow IX. 10 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 9 as viewed in the direction of the arrow X. FIG. 10 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 9 as viewed in the direction of arrow XI. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening/closing member included in a medicine supplying module provided in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a view of the opening/closing member of FIG. 12 as viewed from the direction of arrow XIII. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening/closing part is rotated upward and a discharge part is open in a medicine supplying module included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the appearance of a discharge member included in a medicine supplying module provided in a medicine supplying device according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the appearance of a cover member and a buffer member included in a medicine supplying module of a medicine supplying device according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a support portion and a buffer member included in a medicine supplying module of a medicine supplying device according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the appearance of a rotor and a rotating shaft included in a medicine supplying module provided in a medicine supplying device according to a third modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a first rotating unit is detached from a rotating shaft unit included in a medicine supplying module of a medicine supplying device according to a third modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a medicine supplying module included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a base portion. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed in a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine containing container provided in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a medicine containing container included in a medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention with a lid portion removed. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of an opening side of a medicine containing container included in the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a medicine supplying module and a medicine containing container are respectively attached to a base portion included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a medicine supplying module and a medicine containing container are respectively attached to a base portion of the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a cover of the base portion removed. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a medicine container and a part of a cover of a base portion are removed from the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which a cover for another part of the base portion is removed from the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a medicine packing device equipped with a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 36 is a plan view of the medicine packaging device of FIG. 35 as viewed from the direction of arrow XXXVI. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system between a medicine supplying device and a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a drug supply module provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the drug supply module of Figure 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow II. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drug supply module of Figure 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow III. Figure 4 is a view of the drug supply module of Figure 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow IV. Figure 5 is a view of the drug supply module of Figure 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow V.

In Figures 2 and 3, the lid portion, which will be described later, is shown in a see-through manner. In Figure 4, the lid member and the opening/closing member, which will be described later, are not shown. In Figure 5, the lid portion is shown in a see-through manner, and the support portion, which will be described later, is not shown.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the drug supply module 100 included in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating body 110, a peripheral wall portion, and a discharge portion 131. In this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 further includes a support portion 150, a lid portion 126, and an opening/closing portion 141. As described below, the drug supply module 100 has the discharge portion 131, and functions as a drug supply portion that conveys drugs while aligning them in a line toward the discharge portion 131, and discharges the drugs from the discharge portion 131 in order from the front and supplies them one by one.

In this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 is configured as an integrated unit including the rotating body 110, the peripheral wall portion, the discharge portion 131, and the opening/closing portion 141. Note that the opening/closing portion 141 does not necessarily have to be provided. In other words, the drug supply module 100 may be configured as an integrated unit including the rotating body 110, the peripheral wall portion, and the discharge portion 131.

Figure 6 is a side view showing the configuration of a rotating body included in the drug supply module according to this embodiment. In Figure 6, the rotating body is shown as viewed from the same direction as in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the rotating body 110 rotates about an axis 1 extending in the vertical direction, and has a conical inclined surface 110s coaxial with the axis 1 that slopes downward as it moves radially outward from the axis 1.

The rotating body 110 includes a first rotating part 111 and a second rotating part 112, which are arranged coaxially with each other. The second rotating part 112 is located below the first rotating part 111. The side surface of the first rotating part 111 and the side surface of the second rotating part 112 form an inclined surface 110s. The first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are each provided so as to be rotatable separately from each other. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the first rotating part 111 is connected to a first driven gear 111g. The second rotating part 112 is connected to a second driven gear 112g.

In this embodiment, the inclined surface 110s of the rotor 110 is provided with a rolling prevention portion that prevents the drug from rolling. The rolling prevention portion is composed of grooves arranged radially from the apex of the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, the rolling prevention portion is composed of a first groove 111c arranged on the first rotating portion 111 and a second groove 112c arranged on the second rotating portion 112. Note that the rolling prevention portion does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the rotating body 110 is rotatably supported by a support portion 150 located below the rotating body 110. The rotating body 110 is detachably provided on the support portion 150. As shown in Fig. 4, the support portion 150 includes a horizontal surface portion 151 having a substantially circular shape, an erect portion 152 erected in a substantially circumferential shape from the edge of the horizontal surface portion 151, and a base portion 153 extending downward from the horizontal surface portion 151 in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first driven gear 111g and the second driven gear 112g are each located on the inner peripheral side of the base portion 153.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, in this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 includes multiple peripheral wall portions. Specifically, the drug supply module 100 includes a first peripheral wall portion 121, a second peripheral wall portion 122, and a third peripheral wall portion 123. Note that the number of peripheral wall portions included in the drug supply module 100 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1 above the inclined surface 110s. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 supports the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s from the outside in the radial direction.

The first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are aligned in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110, and the more downstream the peripheral wall portion is in the rotation direction 2, the further outward and downward in the radial direction it is located. Specifically, the second peripheral wall portion 122 is located downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the first peripheral wall portion 121, and is located outward and downward in the radial direction from the first peripheral wall portion 121. The third peripheral wall portion 123 is located downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the second peripheral wall portion 122, and is located outward and downward in the radial direction from the second peripheral wall portion 122.

The first peripheral wall portion 121 and the second peripheral wall portion 122 are each located above the first rotating portion 111. The third peripheral wall portion 123 is located above the second rotating portion 112. Thus, the first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 along the first peripheral wall portion 121. The first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the second peripheral wall portion 122 along the second peripheral wall portion 122. The second rotating portion 112 transports the drug supported by the third peripheral wall portion 123 along the third peripheral wall portion 123.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s to a degree that allows the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s to be supported from the outside in the radial direction.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, in this embodiment, the downstream portion of the peripheral wall portion located upstream in the rotation direction 2 among the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 is separated from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2.

Specifically, the portion of the first peripheral wall portion 121 downstream in the direction of rotation 2 becomes more distant from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the direction of rotation 2. Similarly, the portion of the second peripheral wall portion 122 downstream in the direction of rotation 2 becomes more distant from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the direction of rotation 2.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 are connected to each other by an inclined wall portion that extends radially outward and descends toward the downstream side of the rotation direction 2. Note that the inclined wall portion does not necessarily have to be provided.

Specifically, the first peripheral wall portion 121 and the second peripheral wall portion 122 are connected to each other by the first inclined wall portion 124. The second peripheral wall portion 122 and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are connected to each other by the second inclined wall portion 125.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the slope 110s. Therefore, the boundary line between the first peripheral wall portion 121 and the first inclined wall portion 124, and the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the first inclined wall portion 124, are inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as they move upward from the slope 110s. Similarly, the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the second inclined wall portion 125, and the boundary line between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the second inclined wall portion 125, are inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as they move upward from the slope 110s.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, in this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are each integrally formed with the lid portion 126. The first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 each extend downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126. Note that the lid portion 126 does not necessarily have to be provided, as long as the peripheral wall portions are disposed above the slope 110s.

Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is integrally formed with the lid portion 126. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 extends downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126.

The lid portion 126 covers the slope 110s from above. The lid portion 126 is provided so that the slope 110s can be opened upward. The lid portion 126 is disposed on the support portion 150. Specifically, the lid portion 126 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is provided on the lid member 120.

The lid member 120 is placed on the support part 150 so as to be detachable from the support part 150. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid part 126 and the support part 150. Specifically, the lid member 120 is placed on the horizontal surface part 151 of the support part 150 via the buffer member 170 having an arc shape. The buffer member 170 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. Note that the buffer member 170 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The lid member 120 is made of a transparent material. Therefore, each of the lid portion 126, the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is made of a transparent material. This makes it possible to see the inside of the lid member 120 from the outside of the lid member 120. However, the lid member 120 may be made of a non-transparent material.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a lid member included in a medicine supply module equipped in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a view of the lid member in Figure 7 as viewed from the direction of arrow VIII. Figure 9 is a view of the lid member in Figure 8 as viewed from the direction of arrow IX. Figure 10 is a view of the lid member in Figure 9 as viewed from the direction of arrow X. Figure 11 is a view of the lid member in Figure 9 as viewed from the direction of arrow XI. Figures 7 and 8 show a state in which a vibration transmission plate, described later, has been removed from the lid member 120.

As shown in Figures 7 to 11, in this embodiment, the lid member 120 is provided with a drug supply hole 127, a notch 128, and an attachment portion 129. Specifically, the drug supply hole 127 and the attachment portion 129 are each provided on the top surface of the lid member 120. The notch 128 is provided on the periphery of the lower end side of the lid member 120.

The drug supply hole 127 is provided to supply drug from the outside of the lid member 120 to the inside of the lid member 120. The cutout portion 128 is provided to place the discharge member described below on the support portion 150. The attachment portion 129 is provided to attach the vibration transmission plate described below to the lid member 120.

As shown in Figures 9 to 11, in the cover member 120, the first peripheral wall portion 121 is located below the drug supply hole 127, the first inclined wall portion 124 is located adjacent to the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122 is located adjacent to the first inclined wall portion 124, the second inclined wall portion 125 is located adjacent to the second peripheral wall portion 122, the third peripheral wall portion 123 is located adjacent to the second inclined wall portion 125, and the cutout portion 128 is located adjacent to the third peripheral wall portion 123.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 129 is provided with a screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vibration transmission plate 160 is fixed to the mounting portion 129 with a screw. The vibration transmission plate 160 constitutes part of the lid portion 126. In this embodiment, the vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. However, the vibration transmission plate 160 may also be made of a non-magnetic material. The vibration transmission plate 160 does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the discharge member 130 is provided on the support portion 150 so as to fit into the cutout portion 128. The discharge member 130 has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of the cutout portion 128. A small gap is provided between the discharge member 130 and the cover member 120.

The discharge member 130 is provided with a discharge section 131 that discharges the medicine transported sequentially along the first peripheral wall section 121, the second peripheral wall section 122, and the third peripheral wall section 123 from above the inclined surface 110s as the rotor 110 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge member 130 is provided with a vertical wall portion 132. That is, the vertical wall portion 132 is formed of a separate material from the peripheral wall portion. The vertical wall portion 132 is provided between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the discharge portion 131, and supports the drug from the outside in the radial direction. The vertical wall portion 132 extends in an arc shape along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. In this embodiment, the third peripheral wall portion 123, the vertical wall portion 132, and the discharge portion 131 are aligned along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. Note that the vertical wall portion 132 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The discharge member 130 is provided with a pair of bearings 130b that support a pivot shaft 140s that rotates the opening/closing part 141. The pair of bearings 130b are erected at a position above the discharge part 131. The opening/closing part 141 is configured to be able to open and close the discharge part 131 by being rotated by the pivot shaft 140s.

The opening/closing portion 141 is connected to a biasing member 140t and is biased in a direction to close the discharge portion 131. In this embodiment, the biasing member 140t is configured as a torsion spring, but is not limited to a torsion spring. Note that the biasing member 140t does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 further includes a drug stopper 142. The drug stopper 142 is adjacent to the discharge portion 131, extending in the radial direction along the inclined surface 110s, upstream of the discharge portion 131 in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110. The drug stopper 142 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the inclined surface 110s.

When the drug stopper 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the drug is prevented from moving to the discharge section 131 by the drug stopper 142, and when the drug stopper 142 is separated from the inclined surface 110s, the drug can move to the discharge section 131. The drug stopper 142 is configured integrally with the opening/closing section 141. Note that the drug stopper 142 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening/closing member included in a medicine supply module provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a view of the opening/closing member in Figure 12 as seen from the direction of arrow XIII.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 5, 12 and 13, the opening/closing member 140 is provided with an opening/closing portion 141, a drug stopper 142, and a pair of engagement holes 140b. Specifically, the drug stopper 142 protrudes from one edge in the width direction of the approximately flat opening/closing portion 141 so as to be perpendicular to the opening/closing portion 141. The pair of engagement holes 140b are erected at a position above the opening/closing portion 141. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b has a D-shaped inner circumferential surface in a side view. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b engages with a portion of the rotating shaft 140s having a D-shaped cross-sectional shape.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a medicine supply module provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the opening/closing part has been rotated upward and the discharge part is open. In Figure 14, the medicine supply module is shown as seen from the same direction as Figure 1.

When the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in one direction, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge section 131 that was blocked by the opening/closing section 141 is opened, and the drug stopper section 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s.

When the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in the other direction, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge section 131 is closed by the opening/closing section 141, and the drug stop section 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

A protrusion may be provided adjacent to the upstream side of the discharge portion 131 in the rotation direction 2 and protruding radially inward about the axis 1. Figure 15 is a bottom view showing the appearance of the discharge member included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 15, the discharge member 130x included in the medicine supply module equipped in the medicine supply device according to the first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a discharge portion 131, a standing wall portion 132, and a protrusion portion 133. The protrusion portion 133 protrudes radially inward from the end of the standing wall portion 132 on the discharge portion 131 side, centered on the axis 1. The protrusion portion 133 is provided so as to smoothly continue with the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall portion 132. The medicine moving to the discharge portion 131 moves along the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall portion 132 and moves upward along the slope 110s, passing over the protrusion portion 133, and is discharged from the discharge portion 131.

The cushioning member may also be disposed on the outer periphery of the horizontal surface portion 151 of the support portion 150. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the appearance of the cover member and cushioning member included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the second modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the support portion and cushioning member included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the second modified embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 16 and 17, only the horizontal surface portion 151 of the support portion 150 is shown.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the buffer member 170x included in the medicine supply module of the medicine supply device according to the second modified example of one embodiment of the present invention is held by a holding member 180 joined to the lower surface of the horizontal surface portion 151 of the support portion 150.

The holding member 180 has a flat plate portion 181, a holding portion 182, and a guide portion 183. The flat plate portion 181 is joined to the lower surface of the horizontal surface portion 151. The holding portion 182 extends radially outward and upward from an end of the flat plate portion 181 located on the edge side of the horizontal surface portion 151, is located above the horizontal surface portion 151, and is bent so as to hold the buffer member 170x. The guide portion 183 extends radially outward and upward from the upper end of the holding portion 182.

As shown in FIG. 16, the periphery of the lower end side of the cover member 120x included in the medicine supply module of the medicine supply device according to the second modified embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of protrusions 120p that protrude outward to contact the buffer member 170x. When the protrusions 120p of the cover member 120x are brought into contact with the buffer member 170x from above, the guide portion 183 slides against the protrusions 120p of the cover member 120x to guide the protrusions 120p of the cover member 120x onto the buffer member 170x. As a result, the buffer member 170x is positioned between the cover portion 126 and the support portion 150.

Furthermore, the rotating body may be configured to be detachable from the rotating shaft that rotates the rotating body. FIG. 18 is a side view showing the appearance of the rotating body and rotating shaft included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the third modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the state in which the first rotating part has been removed from the rotating shaft included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the third modified embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the rotating shaft portion included in the medicine supply module provided in the medicine supply device according to the third modified example of one embodiment of the present invention is composed of a first rotating shaft 111p and a second rotating shaft 112p. The rotating shaft portion is a part of the support portion 150. In other words, the support portion 150 further includes a rotating shaft portion arranged coaxially with the axis 1.

The first rotating shaft 111p engages with the first rotating part 111 and rotates together with the first rotating part 111. A first driven gear 111g is connected to the outer periphery of the lower end of the first rotating shaft 111p. The second rotating shaft 112p engages with the second rotating part 112 and rotates together with the second rotating part 112. A second driven gear 112g is connected to the outer periphery of the lower end of the second rotating shaft 112p.

Specifically, the second rotating part 112 is provided with an engagement hole 112h that engages with the second rotating shaft 112p. The second rotating part 112 is provided with a boss 112b that engages with the first rotating part 111. The second rotating shaft 112p is provided with a through hole 112ph into which the first rotating shaft 111p is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first rotating part 111 is detachably connected to each of the boss 112b of the second rotating part 112 and the first rotating shaft 111p. The upper part of the first rotating shaft 111p is made of a magnetic material. A permanent magnet is provided on the upper part of the first rotating part 111. Therefore, the first rotating shaft 111p and the first rotating part 111 are connected to each other by magnetic force. The second rotating part 112 is detachably connected to the second rotating part 112. In this way, the rotating shaft part is detachably connected to the rotating body 110.

In this embodiment, the drug supply device further includes a base portion to which the drug supply module 100 can be detachably attached. FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the base portion included in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of the base portion included in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view showing the state in which the drug supply module included in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached to the base portion.

As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the base unit 200 is provided with a first drive shaft 210, a second drive shaft 240, a discharge chute 220, a first sensor 231, a second sensor 232, a drug refill sensor 235, and a vibration unit 260. The base unit 200 is provided with a first motor which is a first drive source that drives the rotating body 110, and a second motor which is a second drive source that drives the opening/closing unit 141. Note that each of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the drug refill sensor 235, and the vibration unit 260 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The first drive shaft 210 is connected to the first motor. The first drive shaft 210 extends upward from the bottom of the base portion 200. A first drive gear 211g and a second drive gear 212g are provided at the tip of the first drive shaft 210. The first drive gear 211g engages with the first driven gear 111g. The second drive gear 212g engages with the second driven gear 112g.

When the first motor is driven and the first drive shaft 210 rotates, the first rotating part 111 rotates via the first driving gear 211g and the first driven gear 111g, and the second rotating part 112 rotates via the second driving gear 212g and the second driven gear 112g. In other words, the first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are each driven by a common driving source.

The rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111. Specifically, the number of teeth of each of the first driving gear 211g, the second driving gear 212g, the first driven gear 111g, and the second driven gear 112g is set so that the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111.

The second drive shaft 240 is connected to the second motor. The second drive shaft 240 extends substantially horizontally from one side of the base portion 200 to the other side. The tip of the second drive shaft 240 engages with the rotating shaft 140s.

When the second motor is driven to rotate the second drive shaft 240, the opening/closing member 140 rotates together with the pivot shaft 140s. When the opening/closing member 140 rotates about the pivot shaft 140s, each of the opening/closing section 141 and the drug stopper section 142 also rotates about the pivot shaft 140s. In this way, each of the opening/closing section 141 and the drug stopper section 142 is driven by a common drive source.

The discharge chute 220 guides the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 to the outside of the base section 200. The inlet of the discharge chute 220 faces the discharge section 131. A first sensor 231 is disposed adjacent to the discharge section 131. A second sensor 232 is disposed on the discharge chute 220. The second sensor 232 is located farther from the discharge section 131 than the first sensor 231.

The first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge section 131. In this embodiment, the first sensor 231 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light-projecting section and a light-receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the area immediately downstream of the discharge section 131 between them. By detecting that the medicine blocks the optical axis between the light-projecting section and the light-receiving section, it detects that the medicine has been discharged from the discharge section 131.

The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131. In this embodiment, the second sensor 232 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light-projecting section and a light-receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the medicine passage defined by the discharge chute 220 between them. The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 by detecting that the medicine blocks the optical axis between the light-projecting section and the light-receiving section.

The medicine refill sensor 235 detects that medicine has been refilled into the medicine supply section, specifically onto the inclined surface 110s. In this embodiment, the medicine refill sensor 235 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the area below the medicine supply hole 127 between them. The medicine refill sensor 235 detects that medicine has been refilled into the medicine supply section by detecting that medicine has blocked the optical axis between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section. At least the portion of the cover member 120 on the optical axis is transparent.

The vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123. In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 via the lid portion 126.

Specifically, the vibration unit 260 is provided so as to be located directly above the vibration transmission plate 160. The vibration unit 260 is provided with a permanent magnet (not shown). The vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. The vibration unit 260 and the vibration transmission plate 160 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. That is, the contact parts of the vibration unit 260 and the lid part 126 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force. The vibration of the vibration unit 260 is propagated through the lid part 126 to each of the first peripheral wall part 121, the second peripheral wall part 122, and the third peripheral wall part 123. The vibration unit 260 vibrates in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is an eccentric motor, and is arranged so that the motor shaft is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

As described above, a small gap is provided between the discharge member 130 and the lid member 120, and a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid portion 126 and the support portion 150, so that the vibrations caused by the vibration portion 260 are not directly transmitted to the vertical wall portion 132.

A buffer member may be provided at the connection between the vibration unit 260 and the base unit 200 to prevent vibrations from the vibration unit 260 from propagating to the base unit 200. This makes it possible to prevent vibrations from the vibration unit 260 from propagating to the standing wall unit 132 through the base unit 200 and the support unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the drug supply device 10 according to this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is provided on the base unit 200, and the lid unit 126 is provided on the drug supply module 100, so that the vibration unit 260 can be moved toward and away from the lid unit 126.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a medicine container that contains medicine and replenishes the medicine supply unit with medicine when driven. Note that the medicine container is not necessarily provided.

Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 26 is a side view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 27 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 28 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 29 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed from a medicine storage container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 23 to 29, the medicine containing container 300 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical shape with a bottom including a bottom and an opening, and a spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface. Specifically, the medicine containing container 300 includes a main body tube 310, a cylindrical portion 320, a bottom portion 330, and a lid portion 340.

The main body tube 310 has a spiral groove 312 formed on its inner circumferential surface. The main body tube 310 has a first opening 313 at one end and a second opening 314 at the other end. The central axis of the main body tube 310 is located on the axis 3 of the medicine storage container 300. In Figure 29, a perpendicular line 4 perpendicular to the axis 3 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 29, in a pair of opposing wall surfaces of the spiral groove 312 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body tube 310, the angle α between the wall surface located on the first opening 313 side and the perpendicular line 4 is larger than the angle β between the wall surface located on the second opening 314 side and the perpendicular line 4. For example, α = 45°, β = 10°.

Figure 30 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of the opening side of a medicine container provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 30 shows the state in which the cylindrical portion 320 has been removed.

As shown in FIG. 30, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue until it reaches the first opening 313 of the main body tube 310. The end 312e of the spiral groove 312 on the first opening 313 side is shaped as if it had been cut along the end face on the first opening 313 side of the main body tube 310.

As shown in FIG. 29, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue to a position just before reaching the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. The end of the spiral groove 312 on the second opening 314 side is connected to a circumferential groove 315 that extends in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 3. Therefore, the groove width does not narrow even in the vicinity of the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine from clogging the groove.

The cylindrical portion 320 is attached to the outer periphery of the first opening 313 side of the main body tube 310. A male thread for attaching the lid portion 340 is formed on the outer periphery of the end of the cylindrical portion 320 on the first opening 313 side in the direction of the axis 3.

The bottom 330 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body tube 310 on the second opening 314 side. The bottom 330 has a bottom surface 330b that closes the second opening 314. The bottom surface 330b is convexly curved on the side away from the second opening 314 in the direction of the axis 3. In other words, the inner bottom surface of the medicine-containing container 300 has a curved shape that is convex toward the outside of the medicine-containing container 300.

The bottom 330 further has an annular portion 330c that protrudes outward in an annular shape from the periphery of the bottom surface 330b. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, an identifier 331 is disposed in the space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The bottom 330 further has a disk portion 332 that closes the space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The disk portion 332 is fixed to the bottom surface 330b by a screw. The identifier 331 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 330b and the disk portion 332.

In this embodiment, the identifier 331 is a permanent magnet. The identifier 331 is formed differently in each of the multiple medicine-containing containers 300. That is, each of the multiple medicine-containing containers 300 has an identifier 331 that can be distinguished from one another. Note that the identifier 331 is not limited to a permanent magnet, and may be another magnetic material. Also, the identifier 331 does not necessarily have to be provided.

23, the lid 340 can close the first opening 313. As shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the lid 340 is composed of an outer lid 341 and an inner lid 342. The outer lid 341 is rotatably provided with respect to the inner lid 342. Specifically, the outer lid 341 is provided with an arm 341a having a pair of engagement holes 341h. A pivot shaft 342p having a pair of engagement protrusions 342s is provided on the side of the inner lid 342. The pair of engagement holes 341h and the pair of engagement protrusions 342s engage with each other, so that the arm 341a is supported rotatably around the pivot shaft 342p. As a result, the outer lid 341 is rotatable with respect to the inner lid 342.

The inner lid surface 342c of the inner lid 342 has a plurality of openings 342h. When the outer lid 341 is closed, a space is formed between the outer lid 341 and the inner lid surface 342c for inserting the ears of a desiccant or a PTP (Press-Through-Package) packaging sheet of a drug. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner lid 342 to screw into the male thread of the cylindrical portion 320.

In this embodiment, the base unit 200 allows the drug supply unit and the drug storage container 300 to be attached and detached separately. FIG. 31 is a front view showing a state in which the drug supply module and the drug storage container are attached to a base unit included in a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a front view showing a state in which a part of the cover of the base unit is removed when the drug supply module and the drug storage container are attached to a base unit included in a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a front perspective view showing a state in which the drug storage container and a part of the cover of the base unit are removed from a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which another part of the cover of the base unit is removed from a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 31 and 32, in the drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base unit 200 with the lid unit 340 removed. When attached to the base unit 200, the drug containing container 300 is located above the drug supply module 100, which is the drug supply unit. When the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base unit 200, the axis 3 of the drug containing container 300 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, when the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base unit 200, the axis 3 of the drug containing container 300 is inclined 20° with respect to the horizontal plane.

As shown in FIG. 33, the base part 200 is provided with four roller parts that support the medicine-containing container 300 so that it can rotate around the axis 3. Specifically, the base part 200 is provided with a pair of rotating shafts. A pair of roller parts 281 are attached to one of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. A pair of roller parts 282 are attached to the other of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. The base part 200 is provided with a container detection sensor 233 that detects that the medicine-containing container 300 has been attached.

As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the base portion 200 is provided with a connection pipe 290 that guides the medicine discharged from the first opening 313 of the medicine storage container 300 to the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120 of the medicine supply module 100.

As shown in FIG. 32, the base portion 200 is provided with an identification sensor 234 that recognizes the identifier 331 of the medicine containing container 300. In this embodiment, the identification sensor 234 is a magnetic sensor. Note that the identification sensor 234 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be any sensor that can recognize the identifier 331. Also, the identification sensor 234 does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in FIG. 32, the base unit 200 is provided with a first motor 270, which is a first drive source that drives the rotating body 110, and a second motor 271, which is a second drive source that drives the opening/closing unit 141, as described above. As shown in FIG. 34, the base unit 200 is provided with a third motor 272, which is a third drive source that drives one of the pair of rotating shafts described above.

As shown in Figs. 31 and 33, a display unit 250 is provided on the front side of the base unit 200. In this embodiment, the display unit 250 selectively emits light in one color from among a plurality of colors. The display unit 250 can also emit light in a blinking manner. The state of the medicine supply device 10 can be indicated by the light emission pattern of the display unit 250.

Here, a description will be given of a medicine packaging device equipped with the medicine supply device 10 according to this embodiment. FIG. 35 is a front view showing the configuration of a medicine packaging device equipped with the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a plan view of the medicine packaging device of FIG. 35 as viewed from the direction of arrow XXXVI. Note that FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of the ceiling of the medicine packaging device.

As shown in Figures 35 and 36, the drug packaging device 400 to which the drug supply device 10 according to this embodiment is attached includes a housing 410, a rotating drum 420, a hopper 430, and a packaging unit 440. The housing 410 houses the rotating drum 420, the hopper 430, and the packaging unit 440. The housing 410 has a door that can be opened and closed.

The rotating drum 420 is supported within the housing 410 so as to be rotatable about the axis 4. A plurality of drug supply devices 10 and a plurality of drug supply cassettes 20 are attached to the rotating drum 420. That is, the drug supply device 10 is housed within the housing 410 in a movable state. Each of the plurality of drug supply cassettes 20 contains a plurality of drugs and is configured to be able to supply the required number of drugs.

Each of the multiple drug supply modules 100 can supply a drug in place of a drug supply cassette 20 that has been emptied of the drug among the multiple drug supply cassettes 20. In this case, in the drug supply device 10 that supplies the drug, a drug storage container 300 that contains the drug is attached to the base part 200. Also, each of the multiple drug supply modules 100 can supply another drug different from the drug stored in each of the multiple drug supply cassettes 20. In this case, in the drug supply device 10 that supplies the other drug, a drug storage container 300 that contains the other drug is attached to the base part 200.

As shown in FIG. 35, the rotating drum 420 is provided with a drug transport path 421. The drug transport path 421 is located above the hopper 430. As shown in FIG. 36, the drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 are arranged in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 420. As shown in FIG. 35, the drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 are arranged in a vertical line. The drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 are connected to the drug transport path 421. The drug supplied from the drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 passes through the drug transport path 421 and is fed into the hopper 430. The drug fed into the hopper 430 is packaged in the packaging unit 440.

The configuration of the drug packaging device 400 is not limited to the above. For example, each of the drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 may be attached to a slidable rack instead of the rotating drum 420. In this case, by pulling the rack outward from the housing 410, each of the drug supply device 10 and the drug supply cassette 20 can be moved outward from the housing 410. The sliding direction of the rack may be the front-rear direction of the housing 410 or the left-right direction of the housing 410. The door of the housing 410 may also be structured to open like a double door.

Figure 37 is a block diagram showing a connection system between a medicine supply device and a medicine packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 37, a medicine packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a control unit 41. A medicine supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a connection unit 11 that is electrically connected to the control unit 41.

The connection unit 11 is provided on the base unit 200. The connection unit 11 is electrically connected to each of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the container detection sensor 233, the identification sensor 234, the drug refill sensor 235, the display unit 250, the first motor 270, the second motor 271, and the third motor 272. The connection unit 11 is a so-called interface.

The output signals of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the container detection sensor 233, the identification sensor 234, and the drug refill sensor 235 are input to the control unit 41 through the connection unit 11. Based on the signals input from each sensor, the control unit 41 outputs drive signals to the display unit 250, the first motor 270, the second motor 271, and the third motor 272 through the connection unit 11.

The operation of the drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the operation of the drug supply module 100, which is the drug supply unit, will be described.

The medicine supplied to the inside of the lid member 120 from the medicine supply hole 127 is positioned on the inclined surface 110s and is supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121. The first rotating portion 111 and the second rotating portion 112 are each driven by the first motor 270.

When the first rotating portion 111 is driven, the drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 is transported along the first peripheral wall portion 121. The drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 is aligned along the first peripheral wall portion 121 while being transported along the first peripheral wall portion 121.

The drugs supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 move radially outward, starting from the drug located at the front end of the rotation direction 2, downward along the first inclined wall portion 124, and are supported by the second peripheral wall portion 122.

The drug descending along the first inclined wall portion 124 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the drug being transported along the first inclined wall portion 124. This increases the distance between the drug that has descended along the first inclined wall portion 124 and the drug before it descends along the first inclined wall portion 124.

When the first rotating part 111 is driven, the drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122 is transported along the second peripheral wall part 122. The drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122, starting from the drug located at the front side of the rotation direction 2, moves radially outward while descending along the second inclined wall part 125, and is supported by the third peripheral wall part 123.

The drug descending along the second inclined wall portion 125 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the drug being transported along the second inclined wall portion 125. This increases the distance between the drug that has descended along the second inclined wall portion 125 and the drug before it descends along the second inclined wall portion 125.

When the second rotating part 112 is driven, the drug supported by the third peripheral wall part 123 is transported along the third peripheral wall part 123. Because the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111, the distance between the drug supported by the third peripheral wall part 123 and the drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122 becomes wider.

The drugs supported by the third peripheral wall portion 123 are supported by the vertical wall portion 132, starting from the drug located at the front end of the rotation direction 2. When the second rotating portion 112 is driven, the drugs supported by the vertical wall portion 132 are transported along the vertical wall portion 132.

When the drug stopper 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the drug transported along the vertical wall 132 is prevented from moving toward the discharge section 131. The second motor 271 then rotates the rotating shaft 140s.

By rotating the pivot 140s in one direction, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot 140s, the discharge section 131 that was blocked by the opening/closing section 141 is opened, and the drug stopper section 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s. As a result, the drugs supported by the vertical wall section 132 that are located at the front end in the rotation direction 2 are discharged one by one from the discharge section 131.

At this time, the first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge section 131. The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131.

After the drug is discharged from the discharge portion 131, the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in the other direction, causing the opening/closing member 140 to rotate about the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge portion 131 is closed by the opening/closing portion 141, and the drug stopper portion 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

As a result, the medicine supported by the standing wall portion 132 is prevented from moving to the discharge portion 131 by the medicine stopper portion 142, and is prevented from being discharged from the discharge portion 131 by the opening/closing portion 141. As described above, the opening/closing portion 141 is in an open state when the medicine is supplied from the medicine supply portion, and is in a closed state when the medicine is not supplied from the medicine supply portion.

When the medicine is discharged from the discharge section 131 in the medicine supply device 10, the vibration section 260 may be temporarily stopped and the rotor 110 may be temporarily reversed so that the medicine to be discharged next from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s. In this way, it is possible to prevent multiple medicines from being discharged from the discharge section 131 at the same time.

Alternatively, in the medicine supply device 10, when the medicine is discharged from the discharge section 131, the vibration section 260 may be temporarily stopped, and the rotating body 110 may be temporarily stopped, so that the medicine to be discharged next from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent multiple medicines from being discharged from the discharge section 131 at the same time.

When the drug supply unit moves relative to the housing 410, the drug supply unit stops and the opening/closing unit 141 closes, and then the movement of the drug supply unit begins. In this way, it is possible to prevent unwanted drugs from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 while the drug supply unit is moving.

When the supply of medicine from the medicine supply unit is to be resumed, the opening/closing unit 141 opens and the medicine supply unit restarts. In this way, the medicine can be discharged from the discharge unit 131 immediately after the medicine supply unit restarts.

Next, we will explain the operation of the medicine storage container 300 attached to the base part 200.

The third motor 272 rotates the pair of rollers 281, causing the medicine container 300 to rotate around the axis 3.

When the medicine container 300 is rotated around the axis 3, the medicine in the medicine container 300 is transported from the bottom 330 side of the medicine container 300 to the first opening 313 side by the spiral groove 312 and discharged from the first opening 313.

The medicine discharged from the first opening 313 passes through the connection pipe 290 of the base part 200 and is supplied into the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120. The medicines supplied into the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120 are discharged one by one from the discharge part 131 of the medicine supply module 100.

A drug storage container 300 is attached to the base unit 200, which is sequentially selected from the plurality of drug storage containers 300. Each of the plurality of drug storage containers 300 is driven under different driving conditions set based on the identifier 331. The drug supply unit is driven in response to each of the plurality of drug storage containers 300.

Specifically, the types of medicine include general medicines that are small tablets, and special medicines such as capsules, long and thin tablets, spherical tablets, or triangular prism-shaped tablets. Each of the multiple medicine containing containers 300 contains a general medicine or a special medicine. When the medicine containing container 300 is attached to the base part 200, the control part 41 receives a detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234 via the connection part 11 and determines the type of medicine contained inside the medicine containing container 300 attached to the base part 200.

When the drug contained inside the drug containing container 300 is determined to be a general drug, the control unit 41 stops the rotational drive of the drug containing container 300 immediately after the drug refill sensor 235 detects the refilling of the drug from the drug containing container 300 to the drug supply unit, since a large amount of the general drug is discharged to the drug supply unit per rotation of the drug containing container 300. After this, when the drug is no longer detected by the drug refill sensor 235, the rotational drive of the drug containing container 300 is resumed. This makes it possible to prevent the drug from being oversupplied to the drug supply unit.

When the medicine contained in the medicine containing container 300 is determined to be a special medicine, the amount of special medicine discharged to the medicine supply unit per rotation of the medicine containing container 300 tends to be small, so the control unit 41 makes the time from when the medicine refill sensor 235 detects the refilling of the medicine from the medicine containing container 300 to the medicine supply unit to when the rotation drive of the medicine containing container 300 is stopped longer than in the case of a general medicine. Alternatively, the control unit 41 makes the rotation speed of the medicine containing container 300 higher than in the case of a general medicine. Furthermore, the control unit 41 also makes the rotation speed of the rotor 110 higher than in the case of a general medicine. In this way, even in the case of a special medicine that is difficult to discharge by rotation drive, the time required for refilling the medicine can be made closer to that of a general medicine, and the medicine can be supplied one by one from the discharge unit 131.

In the drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the device is equipped with a rotating body 110, a peripheral wall portion, and a discharge portion 131. By transporting the drug along the peripheral wall portion by the rotation of the rotating body 110, the drug can be aligned along the peripheral wall portion and supplied one by one in order starting from the drug located downstream in the rotation direction 2 of the rotating body 110, without the need for adjustment work according to each drug.

In this embodiment, the multiple peripheral wall portions are aligned in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110, and the peripheral wall portions located downstream in the rotation direction 2 are positioned further outward and lower in the radial direction. As a result, when the medicine is transferred from the upstream peripheral wall portion in the rotation direction 2 to the downstream peripheral wall portion, overlapping of the medicines can be eliminated, and the medicines can be aligned and supplied one by one. Specifically, when there are medicines adjacent to each other vertically along the slope 110s, when the medicine is transferred from the upstream peripheral wall portion to the downstream peripheral wall portion, the medicines can be positioned in a row along the downstream peripheral wall portion. As a result, overlapping of the medicines can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, the slope 110s is provided with a rolling prevention portion that prevents the medicine from rolling. This allows medicine that tends to roll to be transported along the peripheral wall by the rotation of the rotor 110.

In this embodiment, the anti-rolling portion is composed of grooves arranged radially from the apex of the inclined surface 110s. This makes it easy to form the anti-rolling portion.

In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion is spaced apart from the inclined surface 110s. This makes it possible to suppress wear on both the peripheral wall portion and the rotating body 110.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a support part 150 that is located below the rotating body 110 and rotatably supports the rotating body 110. This allows the support part 150 to receive powder generated from the medicine. In addition, the rotating body 110 is detachably provided with respect to the support part 150. This allows powder that has accumulated between the rotating body 110 and the support part 150 to be easily removed.

In a third variation of this embodiment, the support part 150 further includes a rotating shaft part arranged coaxially with the axis 1. The rotating shaft part is detachably connected to the rotating body 110. This makes it easy to remove powder that has accumulated between the rotating body 110 and the support part 150.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a lid portion 126 that covers the inclined surface 110s from above. This prevents the medicine from spilling out from above the inclined surface 110s.

In this embodiment, the lid 126 is configured so that the slope 110s can be opened upward. This allows the inner surface of the lid 126 and the slope 110s to be cleaned.

In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion is integral with the lid portion 126. This simplifies the configuration of the medicine supply device 10.

In this embodiment, the peripheral wall and the lid 126 are each made of a transparent material. This allows the presence or absence of medicine remaining in the medicine supply device 10 to be visually confirmed from the outside.

In this embodiment, a protrusion 133 is provided adjacent to the discharge portion 131 on the upstream side in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110 and protrudes inward in the radial direction. The drug moving to the discharge portion 131 is discharged from the discharge portion 131 by moving upward along the slope 110s and passing over the protrusion 133. This makes it possible to prevent two drugs from being discharged from the discharge portion 131 at the same time.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a base portion 200 to which the medicine supply module 100, which is integrally configured to include the rotating body 110, the peripheral wall portion, and the discharge portion 131, can be detached. This allows the medicine supply module 100 to be easily cleaned.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a first sensor 231. This makes it possible to detect when medicine has been discharged from the discharge section 131.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a second sensor 232. This makes it possible to detect when multiple medicines are discharged simultaneously from the discharge section 131.

In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 are connected to each other by an inclined wall portion that extends radially outward and descends toward the downstream side of the rotation direction 2. This makes it possible to eliminate overlap between adjacent drugs vertically along the slope 110s as the drug moves along the inclined wall portion.

In this embodiment, the inclined wall portion is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward away from the slope 110s. This makes it possible to eliminate overlap between adjacent drugs vertically along the peripheral wall portion as the drugs move along the inclined wall portion.

In this embodiment, among the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2, the downstream portion of the peripheral wall portion located on the upstream side of the rotation direction 2 is separated from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2. This makes it possible to eliminate overlap between adjacent drugs vertically along the peripheral wall portion as the drug moves along the inclined wall portion.

In this embodiment, the rotating body 110 includes a first rotating part 111 and a second rotating part 112, and the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111. This makes it possible to increase the distance between the drugs adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 when the drug is transferred from the upstream peripheral wall part to the downstream peripheral wall part of the peripheral wall parts adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2.

In this embodiment, the first rotating unit 111 and the second rotating unit 112 are each driven by a common driving source. This allows the configuration of the medicine supply device 10 to be simplified.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes an opening/closing unit 141 that can open and close the discharge unit 131. This makes it possible to prevent medicine from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 at an unintended timing.

In this embodiment, a drug stopper 142 is provided adjacent to the discharge portion 131 and extends in the radial direction along the inclined surface 110s on the upstream side of the discharge portion 131 in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110. This makes it possible to prevent the drug from being discharged from the discharge portion 131 at an unintended timing.

In this embodiment, the medicine stopper 142 is integral with the opening/closing part 141. This simplifies the configuration of the medicine supply device 10.

In this embodiment, the opening/closing portion 141 and the drug stopper portion 142 are each driven by a common driving source. This simplifies the configuration of the drug supply device 10.

In this embodiment, the opening/closing part 141 is biased in a direction to close the discharge part 131. This allows the opening/closing part 141 to reliably close the discharge part 131, thereby preventing the medicine from being discharged from the discharge part 131 at an unintended timing.

In this embodiment, the opening/closing section 141 is in an open state when the drug is being supplied from the drug supply section, and is in a closed state when the drug is not being supplied from the drug supply section. This makes it possible to prevent the drug from being discharged from the discharge section 131 at an unintended timing.

In this embodiment, the drug supply unit is housed in the housing 410 in a movable state. When the drug supply unit moves relative to the housing 410, the drug supply unit stops and the opening/closing unit 141 closes, and then the movement of the drug supply unit begins. This makes it possible to prevent unwanted drugs from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 while the drug supply unit is moving.

In this embodiment, when the supply of medicine from the medicine supply unit is resumed, the opening/closing unit 141 opens and the medicine supply unit restarts. This makes it possible to discharge medicine from the discharge unit 131 immediately after the medicine supply unit restarts.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a vibration unit 260 that vibrates the peripheral wall portion. This makes it possible to eliminate overlapping of medicines by vibrating the peripheral wall portion with the vibration unit 260.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 further includes a standing wall portion 132 that is provided between the peripheral wall portion and the discharge portion 131 and supports the medicine from the outside in the radial direction. The standing wall portion 132 is made of a separate material from the peripheral wall portion so that the vibrations caused by the vibration portion 260 are not directly transmitted to the standing wall portion 132. This makes it possible to prevent multiple medicines from being simultaneously discharged from the discharge portion 131 due to the vibrations of the vibration portion 260.

In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 vibrates the peripheral wall portion via the lid portion 126. This makes it easier to position the vibration unit 260 than when the peripheral wall portion is directly vibrated.

In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is provided so that it can be attached to and detached from the lid unit 126. This allows the lid unit 126 to be easily removed for cleaning.

In this embodiment, the contact portions of the vibration portion 260 and the lid portion 126 are attracted to each other by magnetic force. This allows the vibration of the vibration portion 260 to be reliably transmitted to the lid portion 126, and allows the vibration portion 260 and the lid portion 126 to be easily detached from each other.

In this embodiment, a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid 126 and the support 150. This makes it possible to prevent the vibration of the vibrating part 260 from being transmitted to the support 150. In addition, the peripheral wall is spaced apart from the inclined surface 110s. This makes it possible to prevent the vibration of the peripheral wall from being transmitted to the rotating body 110.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply device 10 includes a medicine supply unit, a medicine storage container 300, and a base unit 200. The medicine supply unit has a discharge unit 131, and transports medicines while aligning them in a line toward the discharge unit 131, and discharges the medicines from the discharge unit 131 in order from the front and supplies them one by one. The medicine storage container 300 stores medicines and replenishes the medicines to the medicine supply unit when driven. The medicine supply unit and the medicine storage container 300 can each be attached and detached separately from the base unit 200. This allows for greater flexibility in the manner in which the medicine supply device 10 can be used.

In this embodiment, the medicine containing container 300 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom including a bottom 330 and a first opening 313, and a spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner peripheral surface. When the medicine containing container 300 is attached to the base portion 200, the axis 3 of the medicine containing container 300 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. When the medicine containing container 300 is driven to rotate about the axis 3, the medicine in the medicine containing container 300 is transported by the spiral groove 312 from the bottom 330 side of the medicine containing container 300 to the first opening 313 side and discharged from the first opening 313. This allows a small amount of medicine to be replenished to the medicine supply unit with a simple configuration.

In this embodiment, in a pair of opposing wall surfaces of the spiral groove 312 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body tube 310, the angle α between the wall surface located on the first opening 313 side and the perpendicular line 4 is larger than the angle β between the wall surface located on the second opening 314 side and the perpendicular line 4. This makes it possible to stably transport the medicine to the first opening 313 side and discharge it from the first opening 313 while preventing the medicine from clogging the spiral groove 312.

In this embodiment, the inner bottom surface 330b of the medicine-containing container 300 has a curved shape that is convex toward the outside of the medicine-containing container 300. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine from clogging near the bottom surface 330b of the medicine-containing container 300.

In this embodiment, the medicine storage container 300 further includes a lid portion 340 capable of closing the first opening 313. This allows the medicine to be stored in the medicine storage container 300. In addition, by placing a desiccant between the outer lid 341 and the inner lid surface 342c, the medicine can be stored for a long period of time, and by placing the ears of the medicine's PTP packaging sheet, the type of medicine being stored can be confirmed.

In this embodiment, one drug storage container 300 selected in sequence from among the multiple drug storage containers 300 is attached to the base unit 200. This allows the drug storage container 300 that contains the drug that needs to be replenished in the drug supply unit to be selectively attached to the base unit 200.

In this embodiment, each of the multiple drug-containing containers 300 has an identifier 331 that allows them to be distinguished from one another. Each of the multiple drug-containing containers 300 is driven under different drive conditions that are set based on the identifier 331. This makes it possible to make the time required to replenish the drug in the drug supply unit closer to that required for general drugs, even in the case of special drugs that are difficult to discharge by rotational drive.

In this embodiment, the medicine supply unit is driven in response to each of the multiple medicine storage containers 300. This allows the medicine to be supplied one by one from the discharge unit 131 of the medicine supply unit, even in the case of special medicines that are difficult to discharge by rotational drive.

The above disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be a basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above described embodiments, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included.

1, 3 axis, 2 rotation direction, 4 perpendicular line, 10 drug supply device, 11 connection portion, 20 drug supply cassette, 41 control portion, 100 drug supply module, 110 rotating body, 110s inclined surface, 111 first rotating portion, 111c first groove portion, 111g first driven gear, 111p first rotating shaft, 112 second rotating portion, 112b boss, 112c second groove portion, 112g second driven gear, 112h, 140b, 341h engagement hole, 112p second rotating shaft, 112ph through hole, 120, 120x cover member, 120p protrusion, 121 first peripheral wall portion, 122 second peripheral wall portion, 123 third peripheral wall portion, 124 first inclined wall portion, 125 second inclined wall portion, 126, 340 Lid portion, 127 medicine supply hole, 128 notch portion, 129 mounting portion, 130, 130x discharge member, 130b bearing portion, 131 discharge portion, 132 standing wall portion, 133 protrusion portion, 140 opening/closing member, 140s rotating shaft, 140t biasing member, 141 opening/closing portion, 142 medicine stopper portion, 150 support portion, 151 horizontal surface portion, 152 standing portion, 153 base portion, 160 vibration transmission plate, 170, 170x cushioning member, 180 holding member, 181 flat plate portion, 182 holding portion, 183 guide portion, 200 base portion, 210 first drive shaft, 211g first drive gear, 212g second drive gear, 220 discharge chute, 231 first sensor, 232 second sensor, 233 container detection sensor, 234 Identification sensor, 235 medicine refill sensor, 240 second drive shaft, 250 display unit, 260 vibration unit, 270 first motor, 271 second motor, 272 third motor, 281, 282 roller unit, 290 connection pipe, 300 medicine container, 310 main body tube, 312 spiral groove, 312e end, 313 first opening, 314 second opening, 320 cylindrical unit, 330 bottom, 330b bottom surface, 330c annular unit, 331 identifier, 332 disc unit, 341 outer lid, 341a arm unit, 342 inner lid, 342c inner lid surface, 342h opening, 342p pivot shaft unit, 342s engagement protrusion, 400 medicine packaging device, 410 housing, 420 rotating drum, 421 medicine transport path, 430 Hopper, 440 packaging section.

Claims (3)

A drug supplying device that conveys drugs while aligning them in a line and discharges the drugs one by one from the front,
a rotor that rotates about an axis extending in a vertical direction and has a conical inclined surface that is coaxial with the axis and inclined downward as it goes outward in a radial direction about the axis;
A peripheral wall portion that extends in an arc shape along a circumferential direction centered on the axis line and supports the medicine supplied onto the inclined surface from the outside in the radial direction;
a discharge section that discharges the medicine from above the inclined surface, the medicine being transported along the peripheral wall section by the rotation of the rotor;
a vibration unit that vibrates the peripheral wall portion to align the medicine being transported along the peripheral wall portion on the inclined surface in a line along the peripheral wall portion,
A drug supply device in which a buffer member is provided between a support portion supporting the rotating body and the peripheral wall portion, and the peripheral wall portion is spaced apart from the inclined surface of the rotating body, so that the vibration portion can vibrate the peripheral wall portion while suppressing the transmission of vibration to the rotating body. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the drug is discharged from the discharge section, the vibration section is temporarily stopped and the rotation of the rotor is temporarily reversed, and the drug to be discharged next from the discharge section is held on the inclined surface. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the drug is discharged from the discharge unit, the vibration unit is temporarily stopped, the rotor is temporarily stopped, and the drug to be discharged next from the discharge unit is held on the inclined surface.

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