Pharmaceutical Dispenser Cartridge Locking and Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug dispensers lack simple and safe handling mechanisms, particularly for visually impaired users or those under poor lighting, leading to issues with grasping ejected tablets and ensuring accurate dosing, as tablets can fall and be lost, and users lack control over remaining versus taken tablets.
Innovation Solution
A medicament dispenser with a cartridge system that includes a cylindrical reservoir for tablets, featuring a locking mechanism to secure the cartridge, an ejection lock for safe removal, and an elastic force system to maintain tablet order, along with a separating device on the cartridge for controlled dispensing, allowing for easy operation with one hand and visual verification of the filling level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tablets are ejected from the dispenser, then dispensing is achieved, but tablets may fall and be lost, especially under poor lighting or for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
A tray is introduced as an intermediary element between the ejection mechanism and the user. The tray receives the ejected tablet and presents it to the user, ensuring the tablet is delivered reliably even under poor lighting conditions or for visually impaired users who may have difficulty grasping directly ejected tablets.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the cartridge, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the cartridge's position and state. The system self-regulates the locking action through mechanical interlocking features that activate when the cartridge is inserted or removed, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If an ejection lock is implemented for safe cartridge removal, then safety is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection lock system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect when the cartridge is empty and automatically disable the lock, allowing free removal. When the cartridge contains tablets, the lock remains engaged to prevent premature removal. This feedback-based control ensures safe cartridge removal while maintaining ease of operation through automatic, condition-based locking and unlocking.
4Measurement precision
If elastic force is applied to maintain tablet order, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple elastic elements such as spring-loaded pushers or resilient retainers that provide the necessary elastic force to maintain tablet order. These inexpensive, straightforward mechanical components achieve accurate tablet positioning without requiring complex force control systems, sensors, or active adjustment mechanisms.
5Measurement precision
If a separating device is added to the cartridge for controlled dispensing, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device is designed as a modular component within the cartridge, dividing the tablet storage into individual compartments or using physical separators to present one tablet at a time. This segmentation approach enables precise dosing control while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures safe, reliable, and controlled dispensing of tablets, preventing loss and ensuring accurate dosing, while allowing users to easily manage the dispensing process, even under challenging conditions, and maintaining tablet order and protection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic force system to maintain tablet order
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical dispenser (1), exhibiting means for accommodating an exchangeable cartridge (900) containing the pharmaceutical portions, said dispenser being for the safe storage and simple and safe taking of tablets T by a user. The pharmaceutical dispenser (1) has at least one latching means for locking and at least one means for releasing the lock of the cartridge (900) in the pharmaceutical dispenser (1). The at least one latching means is rotatable.