Medicament Dispensing Machine with Multi-Function Gripping Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medicament filling device faces difficulties in multitasking due to the limited functionality of a single arm, making it challenging to complete multiple service requirements efficiently without changing parts or running special operations.
Innovation Solution
A medicament dispensing machine with multiple vial gripping devices and a storage area, where vials can be filled, stored, and discharged efficiently, allowing for multitasking operations without part changes, and enabling secure access control through an input device and controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single arm is used in the medicament filling device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and ability to complete multiple service requirements quickly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple vial gripping devices (first vial gripping device for filling, second vial gripping device for discharging) within a single machine, allowing each device to perform specific functions while collectively enabling multitasking. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by increasing productivity through specialized components rather than requiring complex reconfiguration of a single arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the vial handling process into separate segments performed by different gripping devices: the first vial gripping device handles filling operations while the second vial gripping device handles discharging operations. This segmentation allows parallel execution of multiple service requirements, significantly improving productivity without requiring each component to be overly complex.
2Productivity
If multiple vial gripping devices are added to enable multitasking, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each vial gripping device is designed with universal functionality to handle different vial types and operations. The first vial gripping device can perform filling operations, while the second vial gripping device can perform discharging operations, and both can potentially perform each other's functions. This universality reduces the need for highly specialized complex components, balancing productivity improvement with manageable device complexity.
3Reliability
If access control is implemented through input device and controller, then the reliability and security improve, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives input from the input device (such as biometric authentication or access codes) and provides feedback by controlling the second vial gripping device to discharge vials only when proper authorization is confirmed. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable security control while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users, as the authentication process is automated and does not require complex manual procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The medicament dispensing machine enables to use vials having various sizes and shapes without changing a part in the machine or without performing a special operation. The medicament dispensing machine contains a discharging unit that receives a vial filled with a medicament from a medicament filling means and discharges out of a vial discharging window. The discharging unit contains a vial gripping means having a pair of gripping arms that grip a vial, a body of gripping means having the vial gripping means, a moving means that moves the vial gripping means from the medicament filling means to the vial discharging window, and an orientation changing mechanism that changes the orientation of the body of gripping means. With a coordination of the movement of the body of gripping means toward the vial discharging window, the orientation changing mechanism makes the gripping arms orient to the vial discharging window.