JP7133696B2 - Chemical discharging device, chemical sorting device equipped with the same, and chemical dispensing system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a medicine discharging device for discharging medicine, a medicine sorting device provided with the same, and a medicine dispensing system.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in order to reduce the workload in hospitals that handle a huge number and variety of medicines, medicine dispensers have been used that automatically dispense desired medicines into trays according to prescription information.
As a result, the work of pharmacists, etc., taking out the required medicines one by one into a tray can be automated, greatly reducing the workload, and preventing human errors such as mistaking the type or amount of medicine to be taken out. be able to.

In addition, after the tray automatically dispensed by the medicine dispenser is transported to a hospital room, etc., the dispensed medicine may be returned without being used due to a sudden change in the patient's condition. .
For this reason, a returned medicine sorting apparatus is used that automatically sorts such returned medicines according to their types, sizes, and the like.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a medicine dispenser that recognizes whether or not a suitable container has been taken out from a cassette and takes out a desired container with high precision.
In addition, in Patent Document 2, returned medicines stored in a non-aligned state are picked up one by one, the type and size of the returned medicines are recognized, and sorting is automatically performed according to the type and size. A returned medicine sorting system is disclosed.

International Publication No. 2013/001754 pamphlet JP 2013-215343 A

However, the conventional chemical discharging device described above has the following problems.
That is, the medicine dispensing device and the medicine sorting device disclosed in the above publication are provided with a discharge mechanism for discharging the medicines in a predetermined direction when dispensing and sorting the medicines. Such a chemical discharging mechanism has a problem that the structure tends to be complicated because it is necessary to take care not to damage the chemical made of glass or the like when discharging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a chemical discharging device capable of discharging chemicals in a predetermined direction, a chemical sorting device equipped with the same, and a chemical dispensing system with a simple configuration.

A chemical discharging device according to the present invention is a chemical discharging device for discharging a chemical in a predetermined direction, and comprises a first drive section, a rotating shaft, a cylindrical roller, a holding plate, a second clutch, a chemical and an information acquisition unit. The rotating shaft receives the rotational driving force of the first driving unit and rotates in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A cylindrical roller rotates around a rotation axis. The holding plate forms a concave portion together with the roller, and rotates in the second direction about the rotating shaft from an initial state in which the medicine can be placed in the concave portion, thereby ejecting the medicine placed in the concave portion in a predetermined direction. . The second clutch connects the rotating shaft and the holding plate, does not transmit rotation of the rotating shaft in the first direction to the holding plate, and transmits rotation of the rotating shaft in the second direction to the holding plate. The drug information acquisition unit detects a drug rotated in the recess by a roller rotating in the first direction in a state where the rotating shaft rotates in the first direction, the holding plate is in the initial state, and the drug is placed in the recess. Get information about the type of

Here, in the chemical discharging device that discharges the chemical in a predetermined direction, the roller and the holding plate form the concave portion. By rotating the roller in the first direction with the first drive unit in a state where the holding plate is in the initial state and the medicine is placed in the concave portion, the medicine is rotated and the information about the kind of medicine is read. At this time, the rotation is not transmitted to the holding plate by the second clutch, and the initial state of the holding plate can be maintained. By rotating the first drive unit in the second direction after reading the type information of the medicine, the holding plate rotates in the second direction from the initial state, and the medicine placed in the recess is discharged. be.

Here, the medicine discharging device is mounted in, for example, a medicine sorting device that sorts and stores returned medicines by type, or a medicine dispensing device that discharges desired medicines to a prescribed dispensing tray according to prescription information. be done. This medicine discharge device is installed, for example, in a hospital or the like that handles a large amount of medicine.

The drug type information read by the drug information acquisition unit includes, for example, the type of drug, the shape, size, and content of the container of the drug.
In addition, the drug information acquisition unit includes, for example, means for reading information such as bar codes and characters attached to drugs, means for acquiring information such as the shape and size of drug containers, and the like.

Further, as the second clutch, a so-called one-way clutch is used, which transmits the rotational driving force of the first driving section in one direction and does not transmit it in the other direction.

This makes it possible to perform the rotation operation of the medicine when acquiring the type information of the medicine and the ejection operation of the medicine after acquiring the type information using the single first driving unit.
Therefore, the medicine can be discharged in a predetermined direction with a simple configuration.

The holding plate may have a plate-like portion forming a concave portion together with the roller, and a connecting portion provided in the plate-like portion. The connecting portion may hold the rotating shaft via the second clutch.

Thereby, the holding plate can be integrated with the roller while the roller is rotatable. Also, the holding plate can be rotated around the rotation axis.

The holding plate may be arranged close to the roller, and the recess may be V-shaped when viewed from the direction of the rotating shaft.

As a result, the medicine can be placed in the V-shaped concave portion formed by the roller and the holding plate which are arranged close to each other.

The chemical discharge device may further include a first biasing member that biases the holding plate in the first direction.

Thereby, when the holding plate is returned to the initial state after being rotated in the second direction to discharge the medicine, the holding plate is urged in the first direction by the first urging member. Even if the second clutch does not transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft in the first direction to the holding plate, the holding plate can be returned to the initial state by the urging force.

The chemical discharging device may further include a stopper that restricts rotation of the holding plate in the first direction and maintains the holding plate in the initial state.

Thereby, the posture of the holding plate can be maintained in the initial state when the rotating shaft rotates in the first direction.

The chemical discharging device may further include a first clutch that connects the rotating shaft and the roller, transmits rotation of the rotating shaft in the first direction to the roller, and does not transmit rotation of the rotating shaft in the second direction to the roller. .

Here, as the first clutch, a so-called one-way clutch that transmits the rotational driving force of the first drive unit in one direction and does not transmit it in the other direction is used.
Thereby, when the rotating shaft rotates in the first direction and the holding plate is maintained in the initial state, the roller rotates in the first direction and the medicine can be rotated in the recess. When the rotating shaft rotates in the second direction and the holding plate rotates, the rotation of the rollers stops.

Information on the type of drug may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the drug.

As a result, the medicine is rotated within the recess, so that the information attached to the surface of the medicine can be easily read.

A medicine sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described medicine discharging device, a conveying section that holds and conveys chemicals, and a control that controls the conveying section so that the chemicals are sorted by type and conveyed to predetermined storage trays. and

Here, a medicine sorting apparatus is configured that includes the above-described medicine discharging device, a conveying section for conveying chemicals, and a control section for controlling the conveying section and storing chemicals by type in predetermined storage trays.
Thereby, as described above, it is possible to obtain a drug sorting apparatus capable of discharging desired drugs with a simple configuration.

A medicine dispensing system according to the present invention includes the medicine sorting device described above, and a medicine dispensing device that dispenses medicines other than the medicines dispensed from the medicine sorting device to a dispensing tray based on prescription information.

Here, a medicine dispensing system including the medicine sorting device and the medicine dispensing device described above is configured.
As a result, the medicines such as returned medicines sorted by the medicine sorting apparatus described above can be reused based on the prescription information, and the desired medicines can be dispensed to the dispensing tray based on the prescription information.

According to the chemical discharge device of the present invention, a chemical can be discharged in a predetermined direction with a simple configuration.

1 is an overall view showing the configuration of a medicine dispensing system including a medicine discharging device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a medicine sorting device included in the medicine delivery system of FIG. 1; The front view which shows the state which opened the door of the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 3(a) to 3(d) are diagrams showing the types of drugs sorted by the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. The perspective view which shows the returned-goods medicine tray by which the returned-goods medicine shown in FIG.4(a) - FIG.4(d) was mounted non-alignedly. The figure which shows the breakdown of five types of storage trays set in the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 3(a) to 3(c) are perspective views showing an example of a storage tray in which drugs sorted by the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. 2 are stored; FIG. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 2; The top view which shows the internal structure of the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. The top view which shows the internal structure of the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a plurality of medicines placed in a returned-goods medicine tray and a camera for acquiring image information of these medicines from above in the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a picking unit and the like for picking and transporting medicines to predetermined locations in the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a medicine confirming unit for determining the type of medicine, etc., and a camera for acquiring image information of the medicine placed on the medicine confirming unit and arranged above the medicine confirming unit in the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. 2 ; The perspective view which shows the position of the conveyance mechanism of a storage tray in storage tray mounting space and returned-goods medicine sorting space, and a picking part in the medicine sorting apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second drug confirmation unit (drug discharging device) included in the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. 2; 17(a) is a side view of the second medicine confirmation part of FIG. 16; FIG. 17(b) is a side view showing a V-shaped portion formed between a roller and a holding plate included in the second medicine confirming portion of FIG. 16; FIG. 17(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 17(a); FIG. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 17(a); FIG. 17(a) and 17(b) are perspective views showing the operation of the second drug confirmation unit in FIG. 16 when discharging the drug. FIG. 17(a) and 17(b) are perspective views showing the operation of the second drug confirmation unit in FIG. 16 when discharging the drug. FIG. (a) and (b) are a side view and a perspective view showing the flow when the medicine adsorbed and transported by the picking unit is stored in the storage tray. (a) and (b) are a side view and a perspective view showing the flow when the medicine adsorbed and transported by the picking unit is stored in the storage tray. 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a side view showing the flow of taking out a drug D stored in a storage tray and dispensing it to a dispensing tray based on prescription information in the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. . 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a side view showing the flow of taking out a drug D stored in a storage tray and dispensing it to a dispensing tray based on prescription information in the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. . 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a side view showing the flow of taking out a drug D stored in a storage tray and dispensing it to a dispensing tray based on prescription information in the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. . 2(a) and 2(b) are a perspective view and a side view showing the flow of taking out a drug D stored in a storage tray and dispensing it to a dispensing tray based on prescription information in the drug sorting apparatus of FIG. . 23(a) to 23(c) are side views showing the flow of taking out the medicine D stored in the storage tray and dispensing it to the dispensing tray based on the prescription information in the second medicine confirmation unit of FIG. 22; 23(a) to 23(d) are side views showing the flow of taking out the medicine D stored in the storage tray and dispensing it to the dispensing tray based on the prescription information in the second medicine confirmation unit of FIG. 22;

A drug sorting device 10 and a drug dispensing system 100 equipped with a drug discharging device (second drug checking unit 40) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 28(d). is.
(Configuration of chemical dispensing system 100)
The medicine dispensing system 100 according to this embodiment is installed in, for example, a hospital, etc., and dispenses necessary medicines D to a predetermined dispensing tray T3 based on prescription information created for each patient. As shown in FIG. 1, the drug delivery system 100 includes a tray supply device 101, a plastic bottle delivery device 102, a drug sorting device 10, an ampoule vial delivery device 104, a label syringe injection device 105, and a tray storage transfer device 106. It has

The tray supply device 101 is arranged on the most upstream side (the left end in FIG. 1) of the medicine dispensing system 100, as shown in FIG. The tray supply device 101 is set in a state in which payout trays T3 are stacked, and supplies empty payout trays T3 to the downstream side.
The plastic bottle dispensing device 102 stores the plastic bottle-like medicine D, and is arranged downstream of the tray feeding device 101 as shown in FIG. Then, the plastic bottle dispensing device 102 dispenses the plastic bottle (medicine D) containing the medicine included in the prescription information to the dispensing tray T3 conveyed from the tray feeding device 101 .

The medicine sorting apparatus 10 sorts and stores, for example, medicines D that have been returned due to a sudden change in the patient's condition among the medicines that have been carried out to the hospital room or the like based on the prescription information for each patient, into a predetermined storage tray T2. do.
Specifically, the medicine sorting device 10 is arranged downstream of the plastic bottle dispensing device 102, as shown in FIG. Then, the medicine sorting device 10 takes out the returned medicines sorted in the medicine sorting device 10 and stored in the storage tray T2 based on the prescription information, and dispenses them to the dispensing tray T3.

As a result, the returned medicine D is reused by being dispensed to the dispensation tray T3 as a medicine to be administered to the patient again after the expiration date of the medicine is confirmed.
Here, the medicine sorting device 10 may be arranged on the upstream side of the plastic bottle dispensing device 102 .
However, in general, many of the plastic bottle-shaped chemicals D are large and heavy. Therefore, considering the risk of damaging the ampoule-shaped chemicals D dispensed from the chemical sorting device 10, the pro-bottles are placed first on the dispensing tray. It is desirable to pay out to T3. Therefore, it is preferable that the medicine sorting apparatus 10 is arranged at the position shown in FIG.

A detailed configuration of the medicine sorting device 10 will be described in detail later.
The ampoule vial dispensing device 104 stores ampule-shaped drugs D, and is arranged downstream of the drug sorting device 10 as shown in FIG. Then, the ampoule vial dispensing device 104 dispenses the ampoule vial (drug D) included in the prescription information and not dispensed from the medicine sorting device 10 to the dispensing tray T3 conveyed from the upstream side. .

That is, the ampoule vial dispensing device 104 disposed downstream of the drug sorting device 10 removes the shortage of the drugs included in the prescription information other than the drug D dispensed from the plastic bottle dispensing device 102 and the drug sorting device 10. Payout to payout tray T3.
The label injection prescription inserting device 105 is a device for printing a patient's name, prescription information, etc. on a predetermined label, and is arranged downstream of the ampoule vial dispensing device 104 as shown in FIG. Based on the prescription information, the label injection prescription inserting device 105 creates a label on which the prescription information and the like are printed, and inserts it into the payout tray T3 conveyed from the upstream side. Accordingly, the pharmacist or the like can easily confirm whether or not the medicine D dispensed to the dispensing tray T3 is appropriate by checking the label placed on the dispensing tray T3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tray storage transfer device 106 is arranged downstream of the label injection prescription inserting device 105 and most downstream of the drug delivery system 100 (right end in FIG. 1). The tray storage/transfer device 106 stores a payout tray T3 containing the drug D and the label dispensed based on the prescription information, and the required payout tray T3 is taken out by a pharmacist or the like.

With the above configuration, the medicine dispensing system 100 dispenses appropriate medicines D based on prescription information to the dispensing tray T3, automatically sorts them by the medicine sorting device 10, and stores them in the storage tray T2. Returned medicines can be reused.
(Configuration of chemical sorting device 10)
As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a main body 10a, doors 10b and 10c attached to the front of the main body 10a, and a monitor 50a.

In this embodiment, the front of the medicine sorting apparatus 10 means the front shown in FIG. 2, and the back means the opposite side.
The main body part 10a is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and two doors 10b and 10c are attached to the front face so as to be able to be opened and closed.
When the door 10b is opened, as shown in FIG. 3, the returned medicine tray storage space S1 in which the returned medicine tray T1 on which the returned medicines D are placed in a non-aligned state is stored is exposed to the outside. And returned-goods medicine tray installation part 11 in which a plurality of returned-goods medicine trays T1 are set along the perpendicular direction is provided in returned-goods medicine tray storage space S1. Then, the medicines D returned from the hospital room or the like are put in the returned medicine tray T1 in a non-aligned state, and set by the pharmacist or the like so as to be stacked on the returned medicine tray setting part 11 in the returned medicine tray storage space S1. .

When the door 10c is opened, as shown in FIG. 3, a storage tray placement space S3 is exposed to the outside, in which storage trays T2 for storing the sorted medicines D after return are placed. The storage tray placement space S3 is provided with a storage tray installation portion (tray installation portion) 12 in which a plurality of types of storage trays T2 having different widths and the like along the vertical and horizontal directions are installed. The medicines D returned from the patient's room or the like are sorted according to their types and the like in the medicine sorting device 10 and automatically stored in appropriate storage trays T2 installed in the storage tray installation section 12. FIG.

A plurality of storage trays T2 are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the storage tray installation section 12, and a user such as a pharmacist opens the front door 10c of the main body section 10a to attach or detach the storage tray T2. conduct.
The monitor 50a is provided in the upper left portion of the front surface of the main body 10a, receives various setting inputs, and displays various settings screens, error occurrence screens, and the like. The monitor 50a is connected to a control section 50 (see FIG. 8) that controls the medicine sorting apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

(Type of chemical D)
Here, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d), the medicine D handled in the medicine delivery system 100 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of medicines with different shapes and sizes. I'm in. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the drug D has an elongated, short ampoule-like shape, and as shown in FIG. A drug D2 having a shape, a drug D3 having a thick bottle shape as shown in FIG. 4(c), a drug D4 having a thick and long bottle shape as shown in FIG. 4(d), etc. are included. .

It should be noted that the chemicals D1 to D4 shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d) are an example of the chemicals D handled by the chemical sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and in reality there are many more shapes and types. chemicals shall be handled.
Therefore, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, chemicals D1 to D4 having various shapes and sizes are sorted, and storage trays having suitable sizes and widths corresponding to the respective chemicals D1 to D4 are sorted. Control for storage in T2 is implemented.

A bar code (type information) B1 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of each of the drugs D1 to D4, in which type information such as the type of drug contained in each of the drugs D1 to D4 is recorded.
The type information recorded in the bar code B1 is read by two bar code readers 25 and 31 mounted on the medicine sorting apparatus 10. FIG.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the returned medicines D are placed in a non-aligned state on a returned medicine tray T1 dedicated to returned medicines, and set in the returned medicine tray installation section 11 in the medicine sorting device 10 as it is. be.

(Type of storage tray T2)
The medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment sorts the above-described wide variety of medicines D by type, and selects and stores an appropriate storage tray T2 from a plurality of types of storage trays T2 corresponding to each medicine D. do.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, tray numbers 1 to 5 are assigned, and the pitch, width, number of chemicals D, and the like of the recesses T2z (see FIG. 7A, etc.) that hold the chemicals D are different. Five types of storage trays T2 are used. Note that identification information such as the tray numbers of the five types of storage trays T2 shown in FIG. 6 and the pitch and width of the concave portions T2z are stored in advance in the storage unit 51, which will be described later.

Storage tray T2a with tray number 1 (see FIG. 7(a)) has a width S (small) size, a pitch of concave portions T2z of 21 mm, a number of chemicals D contained in the storage tray T2a (see FIG. 7A), and a number of chemicals D contained in the medicine sorting apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. The total number of trays set is 15, and the total number of stored chemicals is 150. Accordingly, the storage tray T2a stores a thin and short medicine D such as an ampoule vial.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the storage tray T2a is provided with a bar code (identification information) B2 at the first end in the longitudinal direction and a handle N at the second end on the opposite side. It is In addition, a plurality of recesses and protrusions (recesses T2z) are formed inside the storage tray T2a in which the medicine D is stored.

Identification information relating to the type (pitch, width, etc.) of the storage tray T2a is recorded in the barcode B2, and the identification information is read and acquired by the barcode reader 25, which will be described later.
The concave portions T2z forming a plurality of unevenness formed on the bottom surface of the storage tray T2a are formed according to the shape and size of each drug D, and are provided at a constant pitch. The concave portion T2z holds the medicine D transported to the storage tray T2a in the recessed portion.

Storage tray T2b with tray number 2 (see FIG. 7(b)) is, as shown in FIG. The total number of trays set is 15, and the total number of stored chemicals is 75. Therefore, the storage tray T2b stores a medicine D that is thin and medium in length.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, the storage tray T2b is provided with a bar code (identification information) B2 at the first end in the longitudinal direction and a handle N at the second end on the opposite side. It is In addition, a plurality of recesses and protrusions (recesses T2z) are formed inside the storage tray T2b in which the medicine D is stored.

Identification information relating to the type (pitch, width, etc.) of the storage tray T2b is recorded in the barcode B2, and the identification information is read and acquired by the barcode reader 25, which will be described later.
The concave portions T2z forming a plurality of unevenness formed on the bottom surface of the storage tray T2b are formed according to the shape and size of each drug D, and are provided at a constant pitch. The concave portion T2z holds the medicine D transported to the storage tray T2b in the recessed portion.

Storage tray T2 with tray number 3, as shown in FIG. The tray holds 100 medicines in total. Therefore, thick and short medicines D such as plastic bottles are stored in the storage tray T2.
Specifically, the storage tray T2 is provided with a barcode (identification information) B2 at a first end in the longitudinal direction, and a handle N at a second end on the opposite side. In addition, a plurality of recesses and protrusions (recesses T2z) are formed inside the storage tray T2 in which the medicine D is stored.

Identification information relating to the type (pitch, width, etc.) of the storage tray T2 is recorded in the barcode B2, and the identification information is read and acquired by the barcode reader 25, which will be described later.
The recesses T2z forming a plurality of unevennesses formed on the bottom surface of the storage tray T2 are formed according to the shape and size of each drug D, and are provided at a constant pitch. The concave portion T2z holds the medicine D transported to the storage tray T2 in the concave portion.

Storage tray T2c (see FIG. 7(c)) of tray number 4, as shown in FIG. The total number of trays set is 10, and the total number of stored chemicals is 50. Therefore, the storage tray T2c stores a medicine D that is thick and medium in length.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7C, the storage tray T2c is provided with a bar code (identification information) B2 at the first end in the longitudinal direction and a handle N at the second end on the opposite side. It is Moreover, a plurality of unevennesses (recesses T2z) are formed inside the storage tray T2c in which the medicine D is stored.

Identification information relating to the type (pitch, width, etc.) of the storage tray T2c is recorded in the barcode B2, and the identification information is read and acquired by the barcode reader 25, which will be described later.
The recesses T2z forming a plurality of unevennesses formed on the bottom surface of the storage tray T2c are formed according to the shape and size of each drug D, and are provided at a constant pitch. The concave portion T2z holds the medicine D transported to the storage tray T2c in the concave portion.

As shown in FIG. 6, the storage tray T2 with tray number 5 has a width L (large) size, a pitch of recesses T2z of 38 mm, a number of medicines D contained in it of 5, and a total of 6 trays set in the medicine sorting device 10. The tray holds 30 medicines in total. Therefore, the thickest and longest medicine D such as a large plastic bottle is stored in the storage tray T2.
Specifically, the storage tray T2 is provided with a barcode (identification information) B2 at a first end in the longitudinal direction, and a handle N at a second end on the opposite side. In addition, a plurality of recesses and protrusions (recesses T2z) are formed inside the storage tray T2 in which the medicine D is stored.

Identification information relating to the type (pitch, width, etc.) of the storage tray T2 is recorded in the barcode B2, and the identification information is read and acquired by the barcode reader 25, which will be described later.
The recesses T2z forming a plurality of unevennesses formed on the bottom surface of the storage tray T2 are formed according to the shape and size of each drug D, and are provided at a constant pitch. The concave portion T2z holds the medicine D transported to the storage tray T2 in the concave portion.

As shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c), the five types of storage trays T2a to T2c and the like described above have three widths of S, M, and L and a common height. It has depth.
(Internal configuration of chemical sorting device 10)
The medicine sorting apparatus 10 of this embodiment constitutes a control block shown in FIG. 8 centering on the control unit 50 .

The control unit 50 is provided inside the medicine sorting device 10, and as shown in FIG. 1 drug confirmation unit 30, barcode reader (drug information acquisition unit) 25, barcode reader 31, storage tray transport unit 14, second medicine confirmation unit (drug discharge device) 40, storage unit 51 and prescription information acquisition unit 60 It is connected.

Returned-goods medicine tray conveyance part 13 opens door 10b attached to body part 10a mentioned above, and conveys returned-goods medicine tray T1 set to returned-goods medicine tray installation part 11 in a predetermined direction.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the returned-goods medicine tray transport unit 13 moves from the returned-goods medicine tray storage space S1 arranged on the front side in the main body 10a to the picking space S2 arranged on the back side. , transports the returned medicine tray T1.

That is, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the sorting operation is started, as shown in FIG. The returned-goods medicine tray T1 that has been returned is transported from the returned-goods medicine tray storage space S1 to the predetermined picking space S2 side.
The storage tray transport section 14 opens the door 10c attached to the main body section 10a and transports a plurality of storage trays T2 set in the storage tray setting section 12 in a predetermined direction.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the storage tray transport unit 14 sorts the returned medicines arranged on the back side from the storage tray placement space S3 arranged on the front side in the main body 10a. The storage tray T2 is transported to the space S4.
That is, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the sorting operation is started, as shown in FIG. The tray T2 is transported from the storage tray placement space S3 to the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4 side.

In addition, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the storage tray conveying unit 14 moves to a desired height of the storage trays T2 arranged along the vertical direction to obtain a desired storage tray. Tray T2 is conveyed to returned-goods medicine sorting space S4.
The camera C1 is provided above the returned-goods medicine tray T1 conveyed to the picking space S2, as shown in FIG. Then, the camera C1 acquires an image including a plurality of medicines D placed on the returned-goods medicine tray T1 transported to the picking space S2.

As a result, the control unit 50 uses the image information acquired by the camera C1 to specify the picking position for one of the plurality of medicines D placed in the returned-goods medicine tray T1 in a non-aligned state. .
The camera C2 is arranged above the first drug confirmation unit 30, as shown in FIG. Then, the camera C2 acquires an image of the label portion including the bar code B1 attached to the medicine D.

As a result, the control unit 50 uses the image information acquired by the camera C2 to read the character information on the label and confirms the expiration date of the medicine D placed on the first medicine confirmation unit 30 .
The picking unit 20 is movable in three-dimensional directions in order to adsorb a plurality of returned medicines D placed in the returned-goods medicine tray T1 in a non-aligned state at its tip and transport them in a predetermined direction. It is provided inside the main body portion 10a in such a state.

Specifically, when the sorting operation is started, the picking unit 20 moves from the returned medicine tray T1 to the first medicine confirming unit 30, from the first medicine confirming unit 30 to the waiting table 35, and from the waiting table 35 to the storage tray T2. , the chemical D is adsorbed and transported.
As shown in FIG. 13, the picking unit 20 has a vertical support 21a, a belt 21b, a motor 21c, a horizontal support 22a, a belt 22b, a motor 22c, a lateral strut 23a, and the like.

For example, the picking unit 20 rotates a belt 21b provided along the Z direction between two vertical pillars 21a, 21a arranged along the Z direction (vertical direction) by a motor 21c. As a result, the picking unit 20 can move in the Z direction (vertical direction), and can perform, for example, the operation of adsorbing the medicine D, the operation of placing the medicine D on each tray, and the like.

The picking unit 20 also rotates a belt 22b provided along a horizontal support 22a arranged along the X direction (horizontal direction) (the width direction of the main body 10a) by a motor 22c. As a result, the picking section 20 can move in the X direction (horizontal direction), and can perform, for example, an operation of conveying the medicine D in the width direction of the main body section 10a.
Similarly, the picking unit 20 rotates a belt (not shown) provided along a lateral support 23a arranged along the Y direction (horizontal direction) (the depth direction of the main body 10a) to a motor (not shown). ). As a result, the picking section 20 can move in the Y direction (horizontal direction), and can perform, for example, an operation of conveying the medicine D in the depth direction of the main body section 10a.

As shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the bar code reader (medicine information acquisition unit) 25 is arranged near the picking unit 20 and integrated with the picking unit 20 to move in three-dimensional directions. The barcode reader 25 acquires the identification information of the storage tray T2 by reading the barcode B2 attached to the storage tray T2 before the medicine D adsorbed and transported by the picking unit 20 is stored in the storage tray T2. .

The 1st medicine confirmation part 30 is arranged between picking space S2 and returned-goods medicine sorting space S4 which are formed inside body part 10a, as shown in Drawing 9 and Drawing 10 . Then, the first medicine confirming unit 30 confirms the type and the like of the returned medicine D adsorbed and held by the picking unit 20 in the picking space S2.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the first drug confirmation unit 30 has a barcode reader 31, a holding plate 32, rollers 33, and a motor 33a. The first drug checking unit 30 is arranged below the camera C2 installed for checking the expiration date of the drug D. Hold D. Then, while holding the medicine D, the first medicine confirmation unit 30 rotates the medicine D by rotating the roller 33 with the motor 33a, and reads the barcode attached to the medicine D by the barcode reader 31 described later. Read and acquire the type information of B1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the bar code reader 31 is arranged obliquely above the medicine D held in the recess formed by the holding plate 32 and the roller 33 . The barcode reader 31 reads the barcode B1 attached to the medicine D rotated by the roller 33 driven to rotate by the motor 33a, and obtains type information about the type of the medicine D (such as the type of drug).

The second medicine confirming unit 40 is provided as a medicine discharging device that discharges the medicine D, whose type information is read by the bar code reader 25 after being taken out from the storage tray T2, to a predetermined dispensing tray T3. And the 2nd medicine confirmation part 40 is arrange|positioned through the support part 40a (refer FIG. 13) under the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4 in the main-body part 10a, as shown in FIG.10 and FIG.11. Then, the second medicine confirming unit 40 confirms the type of the medicine D that is taken out from the storage tray T2 by the picking unit 20 and transported by suction to the dispensing tray T3.

A detailed description of the second medicine confirmation unit 40 will be given later.
The storage unit 51 stores a control program for driving and controlling each configuration described above. As identification information obtained from the barcode B2 attached to the storage tray T2, the storage unit 51 stores the tray number, tray width, pitch, number of chemicals in one tray, A table showing the relationship between the maximum number of trays that can be stored in the device and the maximum number of stored chemicals is stored.

The prescription information acquisition unit 60 acquires prescription information for each patient from a server or the like installed in a hospital or the like. Thereby, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20 so as to discharge the necessary medicines D from among the medicines D stored in the storage tray T2 based on the prescription information.
(Second drug confirmation unit 40)
The configuration of the second drug checking unit 40 mounted on the drug sorting apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20(b).

In the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, after being stored in the storage tray T2, the type information of the returned medicine D taken out based on the prescription information is acquired, and the second medicine is discharged to the dispensing tray T3. A confirmation unit 40 is provided.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 and the like, the second drug confirmation unit 40 includes a main body 41, a holding plate 42, a biasing member (first biasing member) 42b, a roller 43, and a motor ( A first driving section) 43a, a rotating shaft 43b (see FIG. 18(a)), a one-way clutch (first clutch) 43c (see FIG. 18(a)), and a one-way clutch (second clutch) 43d (see FIG. 18). (a)), a medicine receiving tray 44, a motor (second drive unit) 44a, a biasing member (second biasing member) 44b, and a one-way clutch (third clutch) 44c (FIG. 18(b)). ), and a structure transfer unit 45 (see FIG. 13).

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 19(a), the main body 41 is a member having a substantially U-shaped shape in a plan view. 43, a medicine receiving tray 44, and the like. As shown in FIG. 16, the main body 41 has stoppers 41a and 41b on one of two opposing surfaces forming a substantially U shape and projecting toward the other surface. there is

When the medicine D is received and held by the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43, the stopper 41a is attached to a part of the holding plate 42 as shown in FIG. It abuts and maintains the posture of the holding plate 42 . In other words, the stopper 41a is provided to set the rotation limit position of the holding plate 42. As shown in FIG. That is, the rotation limit position set by the stopper 41a coincides with the position where the V-shaped portion 42c maintains the posture of holding the medicine D. As shown in FIG.

When the medicine D is received and held by the medicine receiving tray 44, the stopper 41b abuts on a part of the medicine receiving tray 44 to maintain the posture of the medicine receiving tray 44, as shown in FIG. do. In other words, the stopper 41b is provided to set the rotation limit position when the medicine receiving tray 44 is rotated by the motor 44a. That is, the rotation limit position set by the stopper 41b coincides with the position at which the medicine receiving tray 44 maintains the attitude of receiving and holding the medicine D. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17(b), the holding plate 42 is a plate-like member arranged close to the roller 43, and holds the drug D together with the roller 43 when viewed from the side. to form a V-shaped portion 42c. The holding plate 42 is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction in the attitude of receiving and holding the medicine D. As shown in FIG. Further, at both ends of the holding plate 42 in the width direction, connecting portions 42a are provided, which are integrated with the rollers 43 so that the rollers 43 are rotatable.

The connecting portion 42a is a member that connects both ends in the width direction of the holding plate 42 and both ends of the rotating shaft 43b of the roller 43, and is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the holding plate 42 that contacts the medicine D. is erected. The connecting portion 42a holds both ends of the rotation shaft so that the roller 43 is rotatable.
Thereby, the connecting portion 42a can integrate the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 while the roller 43 is rotatable.

The biasing member (first biasing member) 42b is, for example, a Conston spring, and is provided on the side of the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 in the main body 41, as shown in FIG. Then, the biasing member 42b biases the holding plate 42 integrated with the roller 43 in the A direction (first direction) shown in FIG. 17(b). That is, the urging member 42b urges the holding plate 42 in a direction to press a portion of the holding plate 42 against the stopper 41a.

As a result, the integrated holding plate 42 and roller 43 can be held in a posture for receiving and holding the medicine D. As shown in FIG.
As described above, the roller 43 is integrated with the holding plate 42 by the connecting portion 42a, and receives and holds the transported medicine D at the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the roller 43 and the holding plate 42. . The roller 43 is rotationally driven in the direction A shown in FIG.

The motor (first driving section) 43a is provided on the side surface of the main body section 41 and connected to the rotating shaft 43b of the roller 43, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18A. The motor 43a rotates the roller 43 and rotates the holding plate 42 by transmitting rotational driving force to the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 via the one-way clutches 43c and 43d.

18(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 17(a), and FIG. 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 17(a). is.
The one-way clutch (first clutch) 43c, as shown in FIG. 18(a), is provided at a position that connects the roller 43 and the rotating shaft 43b to which the rotational driving force of the motor 43a is transmitted. The one-way clutch 43c transmits the rotational driving force of the rotating shaft 43b to the roller 43 in the A direction shown in FIG. 17(b), and transmits the rotational driving force to the roller 43 in the B direction. Do not transmit.

The one-way clutch (second clutch) 43d is provided at a position connecting the holding plate 42 and the rotating shaft 43b to which the rotational driving force of the motor 43a is transmitted, as shown in FIG. 18(a). The one-way clutch 43d does not transmit the rotational driving force of the rotary shaft 43b to the holding plate 42 in the A direction shown in FIG. communicate to

Here, when the motor 43a (rotating shaft 43b) rotates in the A direction (first direction) shown in FIG. to rotate the roller 43 in the A direction.
As a result, the drug D held in the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 by the one-way clutch 43c can be rotated in the V-shaped portion 42c by friction with the roller 43. .

At this time, since the rotational driving force is not transmitted to the holding plate 42 by the one-way clutch 43d, the postures of the holding plate 42 and the rollers 43 can be maintained.
On the other hand, when the motor 43a (rotating shaft 43b) rotates in the B direction (second direction) shown in FIG. It is not transmitted to

Since the one-way clutch 43d transmits the rotational driving force to the holding plate 42, the holding plate 42 can be rotated in the B direction around the rotating shaft 43b.
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 can be inclined downward. The medicine D for which the type information has been acquired while being held can be discharged to the downstream side (the medicine receiving tray 44).

As a result, the single motor 43a can be used to rotate the medicine D when acquiring the type information of the medicine D and to discharge the medicine D after acquiring the type information. Depending on the configuration, the medicine D can be discharged in a predetermined direction.
In addition, even in a configuration using a single motor 43a, by using two one-way clutches 43c and 43d in combination, it is possible to rotate the drug D and rotate the holding plate 42 when acquiring the type information of the drug D. and a discharge operation of the chemical D to be moved can be performed. Therefore, the medicine D can be discharged in a predetermined direction with a simple configuration.

The process of transporting the drug D to the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 and the process of transporting the drug D from the V-shaped part 42c to the drug receiving tray 44 will be described later. I will elaborate.
The medicine receiving tray 44 is provided below the holding plate 42 and the rollers 43 in the main body 41, as shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b). The medicine receiving tray 44 receives and holds the discharged medicine D from the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43, and is rotated by the rotational driving force of the motor 44a. , the medicine D is discharged to the pay-out tray T3 conveyed downward.

As a result, the medicine receiving tray 44 can switch between the closed state shown in FIG. 20A and the open state shown in FIG. can.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18B, the motor (second driving section) 44a is provided on the side surface of the body section 41 in the same manner as the motor 43a. It is connected to the. The motor 44a rotates the medicine receiving tray 44 by transmitting rotational driving force to the medicine receiving tray 44 via the one-way clutch 44c.

The biasing member (second biasing member) 44 b is, for example, a Conston spring, and is provided on the side of the medicine receiving tray 44 in the main body 41 . The biasing member 44b biases the medicine receiving tray 44 in the direction C shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b). That is, the biasing member 44b biases the medicine receiving tray 44 in the opening direction.
The one-way clutch (third clutch) 44c is connected to the rotating shaft 44d of the motor 44a and the medicine receiving tray 44, as shown in FIG. 18(b). The one-way clutch 44c does not transmit rotational driving force from the rotary shaft 44d to the medicine receiving tray 44 in the C direction (opening direction) shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b). On the other hand, the one-way clutch 44c transmits rotational driving force in the D direction (closing direction) shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b).

As a result, in the operation of opening the medicine receiving tray 44, the biasing force of the biasing member 44b can be used, and in the operation of closing the medicine receiving tray 44, the rotational driving force of the motor 44a can be used.
Although the medicine receiving tray 44 is urged in the C direction toward the open state by the urging member 44b, the medicine receiving tray 44 is held so as not to open by the one-way clutch 44c and the reduction gear (1/90). be done.

As a result, the medicine receiving tray 44 can be held in the closed state in which the medicine D shown in FIG. 20(a) is received and held.
As shown in FIG. 13, the structure conveying unit 45 is a means for conveying the second drug confirmation unit 40 in the Z direction, and is provided along the Z direction by the two vertical struts 21a and 21a described above. It is composed of a belt 21b and a motor 21c. A belt 21b provided along the Z direction is rotated by a motor 21c between the two vertical supports 21a, 21a arranged along the Z direction (vertical direction), so that the horizontal support 22a is rotated by a motor 21c. The fixed second medicine confirmation unit 40 is moved in the Z direction.

Specifically, the structure conveying unit 45 includes the main body 41 described above, the holding plate 42, the biasing member (first biasing member) 42b, the roller 43, the motor (first driving unit) 43a, A rotating shaft 43b, a one-way clutch (first clutch) 43c, a one-way clutch (second clutch) 43d, a medicine receiving tray 44, a motor (second drive unit) 44a, and a biasing member (second biasing member ) 44b, one-way clutch (third clutch) 44c, etc. are moved in the vertical direction (Z direction).

The process of discharging the medicine D from the medicine receiving tray 44 to the dispensing tray T3 will be detailed later.
<Flow until the returned medicine D is stored in the storage tray T2>
The medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has the above-described configurations, takes out the returned medicine D from the returned medicine tray T1, and sorts it into an appropriate storage tray T2 corresponding to the shape and size of the medicine D. storage.

Specifically, first, the control unit 50 controls the returned-goods medicine tray transport unit 13 to move one returned-goods medicine tray T1 from the returned-goods medicine tray storage space S1 to the picking space S2, as shown in FIG. transport.
Next, the control unit 50 selects the medicines D to be sorted and stored in the storage tray T2 from among the plurality of medicines D placed in the returned-goods medicine tray T1 shown in FIG. 5 in a non-aligned state. At this time, the control unit 50 sets the picking position of the medicine D based on the image information acquired by the camera C1 shown in FIG.

Next, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20 to adsorb the desired medicine D from the returned-goods medicine tray T<b>1 and transports it to the first medicine confirming unit 30 .
Next, in order to confirm the type (medicine, etc.) of the medicine D placed on the first medicine confirmation part 30, the control part 50 rotates the roller 33 by the motor 33a, as shown in FIG. The medicine D is rotated and the barcode B1 attached to the medicine D is read by the barcode reader 31 . Thereby, the type information of the medicine D can be obtained.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 50 controls the camera C2 placed above the first drug confirmation unit 30 to obtain image information of the drug D. As shown in FIG. This makes it possible to obtain character information on the expiration date of the medicine D attached to the outer peripheral surface of the medicine D together with the barcode B1.
Next, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20 to adsorb the drug D placed on the first drug checking unit 30 and picks up the recess of the waiting table 35 adjacent to the first drug checking unit 30 . 35a.

Next, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20 to adsorb the medicine D placed in the recess 35a of the waiting table 35, and transports it above the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4.
Next, the control unit 50 controls the storage tray conveying unit 14 so that, as shown in FIG. It conveys from space S3 to returned-goods medicine sorting space S4.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b), the control unit 50 moves the picking unit 20 that has adsorbed the medicine D to the front of the storage tray T2 as the storage destination, and the picking unit 20 Using the barcode reader 25 that moves together, the barcode B2 of the storage tray T2 is read.
Then, based on the read information, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the storage tray T2 is the correct storage location.

Here, if the control unit 50 determines that it is correct, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20, and as shown in FIGS. The drug D being adsorbed and transported is placed in the predetermined concave portion T2z.
<Flow until the medicine D is transported from the storage tray T2 to the second medicine confirmation unit 40>
Next, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the process of taking out the medicine D temporarily stored in the storage tray T2 based on the prescription information and transporting it to the second medicine confirming section 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The following is a description with reference to (a) to FIG. 26(b).

As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b), the control unit 50 pulls out to the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4 and stores necessary medicines D based on the prescription information. The bar code reader 25 driven integrally with the picking unit 20 is moved to the vicinity of the tray T2. The barcode reader 25 reads the barcode B2 of the storage tray T2 and transmits it to the control unit 50 .

Next, as shown in FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b), the control unit 50 moves the picking unit 20 to right above the desired drug D to pick it up, and takes out the drug D from the storage tray T2.
Next, the control unit 50 controls the storage tray transport unit 14 to move the storage tray T2 from which the medicines D have been taken out to the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4, as shown in FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b). to the storage tray placement space S3.

Next, the control unit 50 controls the picking unit 20 to move the storage tray T2 from the returned-goods medicine sorting space S4 to the storage tray placement space S3 as shown in FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b). Then, the adsorbed drug D is transported to the second drug confirmation unit 40 whose upper space is open.
More specifically, the control section 50 controls the picking section 20 to place the drug D on the V-shaped section 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 of the second drug checking section 40. FIG.

<Flow until the medicine D is discharged from the second medicine confirmation unit 40 to the dispensing tray T3>
Next, in the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the process of discharging the medicines D transported to the second medicine confirmation unit 40 to the dispensing tray T3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 27(a) to 28(b). The explanation is as follows.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 27(a) and the like, the storage space of the payout tray T3 is divided into three sections by two partition plates T3a. As a result, for example, the medicines D prescribed for morning, noon, and evening can be dispensed in a state of being sorted into one dispensing tray T3.

The control unit 50 controls the motor 43a to rotate the roller 43 in the A direction (see FIG. 17B) in the second drug checking unit 40, thereby checking the drug D placed on the V-shaped portion 42c. is rotated, the bar code B1 of the drug D is read by the bar code reader 25, and the type information of the drug D is acquired.
When the medicine D is rotated by the roller 43 , the one-way clutch 43 c connecting the rotating shaft 43 b and the roller 43 transmits rotational driving force to the roller 43 . On the other hand, the one-way clutch 43 d that connects the rotating shaft 43 b and the holding plate 42 does not transmit the rotational driving force to the holding plate 42 .

As a result, when the roller 43 is rotated and the type information of the medicine D is acquired by the barcode reader 25, the rotational driving force is transmitted only to the roller 43 and is not transmitted to the holding plate 42. The posture of the holding plate 42 is maintained as it is.
Next, as shown in FIG. 27(a), the control unit 50 controls the motor 43a to rotationally drive the rotary shaft 43b in the B direction (see FIG. 17(b)). At this time, the one-way clutch 43c that connects the rotating shaft 43b and the roller 43 does not transmit the rotational drive amount to the roller 43. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, a one-way clutch 43 d that connects the rotating shaft 43 b and the holding plate 42 transmits rotational driving force to the holding plate 42 .

As a result, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the holding plate 42 against the urging force applied to the holding plate 42 in the A direction by the urging member 42b, so that the holding plate 42 rotates in the B direction. do.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 27(b), the V-shaped portion 42c formed between the holding plate 42 and the roller 43 on which the drug D is placed faces obliquely downward, so that the V-shaped portion 42c holds the drug. The medicine D can be discharged to the medicine receiving tray 44 .

After dropping the medicine D onto the medicine receiving tray 44, the control unit 50 controls the motor 43a in order to return the holding plate 42 and the rollers 43 to the initial state (the V-shaped portion 42c faces upward). The rotating shaft 43b is rotated in the A direction.
As a result, the holding plate 42 is urged in the A direction by the urging member 42b, and is rotated in the A direction by the urging force.

At this time, the holding plate 42 is connected to the rotating shaft 43b in the A direction via the one-way clutch 43c. Therefore, the holding plate 42 does not return to the initial state at high speed due to the urging force, but shifts to the initial state while rotating at the same constant speed as the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 43b by the motor 43a.
When the rotating shaft 43b is rotated in the direction A, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the roller 43 via the one-way clutch 43c and the roller 43 rotates. , the rotation of roller 43 does not affect the functioning of the device.

Next, as shown in FIG. 27(c), the control unit 50 discharges the medicine D from the state where the medicine D is held in the medicine receiving tray 44 to the dispensing tray T3 conveyed downward. to start.
That is, in the closed state shown in FIGS. 20 and 28(a), the medicine receiving tray 44 is arranged substantially horizontally.

Then, when the medicine D is discharged from the upstream side to the medicine receiving tray 44, the control unit 50 controls the structure conveying unit 45 (see FIG. 13 etc.) as shown in FIG. 2. The medicine confirming unit 40 is lowered onto the dispensing tray T3, and the motor 44a is controlled to rotate the medicine receiving tray 44 in the C direction (opening direction).
At this time, since the medicine receiving tray 44 is biased in the C direction by the biasing member 44b, it rotates in the C direction about the rotation shaft 44d by the biasing force.

The force applied to the medicine receiving tray 44 may utilize the gravity acting on the medicine receiving tray 44 itself.
At this time, since the medicine receiving tray 44 is connected to the rotating shaft 44d, it does not rotate in the C direction at high speed due to the biasing force, but rotates in the C direction at the same constant speed as the rotating shaft 44d.
Next, as shown in FIG. 28(b), when the end of the medicine receiving tray 44 opposite to the rotation shaft 44d abuts against the bottom surface of the payout tray T3, the medicine receiving tray 44 moves further in the C direction. cannot be rotated.

At this time, the rotary shaft 44d rotates in the C direction as it is, but the rotational driving force of the motor 44a is not transmitted in the C direction by the one-way clutch 44c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the medicine receiving tray 44 and the dispensing tray T3.
Next, as shown in FIG. 28(c), the control unit 50 controls the structure conveying unit 45 to raise the second medicine confirming unit 40, and the medicine receiving tray 44 moves toward the urging member 44b. Due to the urging force, it continues to rotate in the C direction while being in contact with the bottom surface of the payout tray T3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 28(d), the control unit 50 further raises the second medicine confirming unit 40 by the structure conveying unit 45, and the bottom surface of the medicine receiving tray 44 is provided on the main unit 41. Abutting against the stopper 41c, the rotation of the medicine receiving tray 44 is stopped.
As a result, the medicine D held in the medicine receiving tray 44 can be safely discharged to the dispensing tray T3 without being subjected to impact or the like.

At this time, the rotating shaft 44d is rotating in the direction C, but the rotational driving force of the rotating shaft 44d is not transmitted to the medicine receiving tray 44 by the one-way clutch 44c. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive load from being applied to the medicine receiving tray 44 and the stopper 41c.
28(a) to 28(b), when the medicine receiving tray 44 rotates in the direction C, the end of the medicine receiving tray 44 contacts the bottom surface of the dispensing tray T3. , the medicine receiving tray 44 is not rotated at high speed by the urging force.

This is because the medicine receiving tray 44 is connected to the rotating shaft 44d and cannot rotate faster than the rotating shaft 44d. Therefore, the medicine receiving tray 44 rotates at the same constant speed as the rotating shaft 44d from the closed state shown in FIG. 28(a) until the end contacts the bottom surface of the dispensing tray T3.
Next, in the state shown in FIG. 28(d), the control unit 50 detects by a photo sensor (not shown) that the medicine receiving tray 44 has come into contact with the stopper 41c, and controls the motor 44a to rotate. The rotation direction of the shaft 44d is switched to the D direction (close direction).

At this time, when the rotating shaft 44d rotates in the D direction, the rotational driving force of the rotating shaft 44d is transmitted to the medicine receiving tray 44 via the one-way clutch 44c. Therefore, the medicine receiving tray 44 rotates in the closing direction (D direction) against the biasing force in the C direction of the biasing member 44b.
Next, the control unit 50 detects by a photosensor (not shown) that the medicine receiving tray 44 has rotated in the direction D, and that a part of the medicine receiving tray 44 has come into contact with the stopper 41b to the closed state. Then, the motor 44a is controlled to stop the rotation of the rotary shaft 44d.

In this state, the medicine receiving tray 44 receives an urging force to rotate in the direction C by the urging member 44b. transmitted. Therefore, the medicine receiving tray 44 is kept closed without being rotated in the opening direction by the urging force.
Further, the motor 44a incorporates a gear head having a reduction ratio of 1/90. Therefore, when the medicine receiving tray 44 tries to rotate in the opening direction (direction C), the force of the rotating shaft 44d is transmitted to the medicine receiving tray 44 via the one-way clutch 44c, and the medicine receiving tray 44 is closed. state is maintained.

Furthermore, due to the gear head of the motor 44a, even if the power of the motor 44a is turned off in the closed state, the rotary shaft 44d will not rotate due to the friction of the gear head.
As a result, the closed state is maintained even when the power is turned off, so that wasteful power consumption for maintaining the medicine receiving tray 44 in the closed state can be reduced.
In addition, for example, even if the power supply is unintentionally turned off while the medicine D is held in the medicine receiving tray 44 due to a power failure or the like, the medicine receiving tray 44 can rotate and shift to the open state. Therefore, damage to the chemical D can be prevented.

According to the medicine sorting apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, with the above configuration, when discharging the medicine D transported from the upstream side and received in the medicine receiving tray 44, the biasing force of the biasing member 44b is The medicine D can be discharged by rotating the medicine receiving tray 44 in the C direction by to shift to the open state. On the other hand, when shifting from the open state to the closed state, the medicine receiving tray 44 can be shifted to the closed state by transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 44a to the rotating shaft 44d to rotate the medicine receiving tray 44. FIG.

As a result, the medicine D can be discharged in a predetermined direction with a simple configuration using a single drive source (motor 44a).
[Other embodiments]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

(A)
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the second drug checking unit 40 is provided in the drug sorting device 10 as the drug discharge device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the chemical discharger does not have to be installed in the medicine sorting device, and may be configured as a single chemical discharger.
Even in this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above that the medicine can be discharged in a predetermined direction with a simple configuration.

(B)
In the above-described embodiment, the barcode reader 25 that moves integrally with the picking unit 20 is used as the medicine information acquisition unit that reads the type information of the medicine D to be discharged. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, a drug information acquisition unit such as a bar code reader fixedly arranged near the drug discharge device (second drug confirmation unit) may be used.
Further, the drug information acquisition unit may be provided as a dedicated means for acquiring drug type information, instead of being used as means for reading barcodes attached to trays as in the above embodiment.

(C)
In the above-described embodiment, the barcode reader 25 is used as a means for reading and acquiring the type information (barcode B1) attached to the medicine D. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in a configuration in which an IC tag is attached to the medicine instead of the barcode, a device capable of communicating with the IC tag may be used instead of the barcode reader.
Furthermore, instead of the barcode reader, a camera that acquires image information for determining the shape and size of the medicine may be used.

(D)
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the medicine discharging device (second medicine checking unit 40) of the present invention is mounted in the medicine sorting device 10 for sorting returned medicines has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the medicine discharging device of the present invention is not limited to a medicine sorting device for sorting returned medicines or a medicine dispensing device for dispensing medicines based on prescription information, and may be installed in other devices.

(E)
In the above-described embodiment, as the medicine handled by the medicine discharging device (second medicine confirming unit 40) of the present invention, medicine returned from a hospital room or the like (returned medicine) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the medicines discharged by the medicine discharging device of the present invention are not limited to returned medicines.

(F)
In the above embodiment, the example using the Conston spring as the first biasing member (biasing member 42b) that applies a biasing force to the holding plate 42 in a specific direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, instead of the Conston spring, other biasing members such as extension springs, torsion springs, etc. may be used.
Similarly, in the above embodiment, an example using a Conston spring as the second biasing member (biasing member 44b) that applies a biasing force in a specific direction to the medicine receiving tray 44 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, instead of the Conston spring, other biasing members such as extension springs, torsion springs, etc. may be used. Alternatively, instead of using a spring, gravity acting on the medicine receiving tray 44 may be used as a biasing force in a specific direction.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The chemical discharge device of the present invention can discharge chemicals in a predetermined direction with a simple structure, and thus can be widely applied to various devices and systems that handle a wide variety of chemicals.

10 Medicine sorting device 10a Body part 10b Door 10c Door 11 Returned medicine tray installation part 12 Storage tray installation part 13 Returned medicine tray transportation part 14 Storage tray transportation part 20 Picking part (transportation part)
21a vertical support 21b belt 21c motor 22a horizontal support 22b belt 22c motor 23a horizontal support 25 bar code reader (medicine information acquisition unit)
30 First chemical confirmation unit 31 Bar code reader 32 Holding plate 33 Roller 33a Motor 35 Waiting table 35a Recess 40 Second chemical confirmation unit (medicine discharging device)
40a support portion 41 body portion 41a stopper 41b stopper 41c stopper 42 holding plate 42a connecting portion 42b biasing member (first biasing member)
42c V-shaped part (concave part)
43 roller 43a motor (first drive unit)
43b rotating shaft 43c one-way clutch (first clutch)
43d One-way clutch (second clutch)
44 medicine receiving tray 44a motor (second drive unit)
44b biasing member (second biasing member)
44c One-way clutch (third clutch)
44d Rotating shaft 45 Structure conveying unit 50 Control unit 50a Monitor 51 Storage unit 60 Prescription information acquisition unit 100 Drug delivery system 101 Tray supply device 102 Plastic bottle delivery device 104 Ampoule vial delivery device 105 Label injection prescription insertion device 106 Tray storage transfer Device B1 barcode (type information)
B2 barcode (identification information)
C1, C2 Camera D Medicines D1 to D4 Medicines N Handle S1 Returned medicine tray storage space S2 Picking space S3 Storage tray placing space S4 Returned medicine sorting space T1 Returned medicine tray T2 Storage trays T2a to T2c Storage tray T2z Recess T3 Dispensing tray

Claims (9)

A chemical discharging device for discharging a chemical in a predetermined direction,
a first drive unit;
a rotating shaft to which the rotational driving force of the first driving unit is transmitted and which rotates in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
a cylindrical roller that rotates around the rotation axis;
A concave portion is formed together with the roller, and the drug placed in the concave portion is rotated in the second direction about the rotating shaft from an initial state in which the drug can be placed in the concave portion. a holding plate for discharging in a direction;
A second coupling which connects the rotating shaft and the holding plate, does not transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft in the first direction to the holding plate, and transmits the rotation of the rotating shaft in the second direction to the holding plate. a clutch;
With the rotating shaft rotating in the first direction, the holding plate being in the initial state, and the medicine placed in the recess, the roller rotating in the first direction rotates in the recess. a drug information acquisition unit that reads information about the type of the drug that has been applied;
chemical discharge device. The holding plate has a plate-like portion forming the concave portion together with the roller, and a connecting portion provided in the plate-like portion,
wherein the connecting portion holds the rotating shaft via the second clutch;
The chemical discharge device according to claim 1. The holding plate is arranged close to the roller, and the concave portion is V-shaped when viewed from the direction of the rotating shaft,
3. The chemical discharge device according to claim 1 or 2. further comprising a first biasing member that biases the holding plate toward the first direction;
The chemical discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. further comprising a stopper that restricts rotation of the holding plate in the first direction and maintains the holding plate in the initial state;
A chemical discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It further comprises a first clutch that connects the rotating shaft and the roller, transmits rotation of the rotating shaft in the first direction to the roller, and does not transmit rotation of the rotating shaft in the second direction to the roller. ,
A chemical discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Information about the type of the drug is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the drug,
A chemical discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. a chemical discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
a conveying unit that holds and conveys the medicine;
a control unit that controls the transport unit so that the chemicals are sorted by type and transported to predetermined storage trays;
Chemical sorting equipment with. A drug sorting apparatus according to claim 8;
a medicine dispensing device that dispenses medicines other than the medicines dispensed from the medicine sorting device to a dispensing tray based on prescription information;
drug delivery system with.

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