Low-Profile Electronic Locking Assembly for Medical Bins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing medical supplies and medications in healthcare settings lack effective security and traceability, making it difficult to monitor and control access, especially in daily operational contexts.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile electronic locking assembly for bins, featuring a lock plate with a latch that rotates between locked and unlocked positions, actuated by an electromechanical mechanism, ensuring secure storage and transport while being discreetly integrated into the bin design, with a delivery module that tracks and secures multiple bins within a medical cart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is integrated into the bin design, then security and access control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the bin structure itself. The lock plate is mounted to the front wall of the bin, the latch is integrated into the lock plate, and the actuator is positioned within the bin cavity. This integration eliminates the need for separate locking components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking components are nested within the bin structure. The actuator is positioned within the bin cavity and engages with the lock plate from the interior. The latch is recessed within the lock plate, and the tail is nested within the bin cavity. This nested arrangement minimizes external protrusions and integrates the locking function seamlessly into the bin design.
2Ease of operation
If the locking assembly is made low-profile, then ease of operation and user-friendliness are improved, but the reliability of the locking mechanism may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism achieves its function primarily through horizontal movement of the actuator rather than vertical protrusion. The actuator moves horizontally to engage and disengage the latch, allowing the locking assembly to maintain a low vertical profile while preserving full locking functionality. The latch engages with the slot in the lid through horizontal motion of the lock plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the dimensional parameters of the locking assembly, specifically minimizing the vertical height while maintaining adequate horizontal travel distance for the actuator. The lock plate dimensions are optimized to provide sufficient leverage for reliable locking while keeping the overall assembly low-profile. The tail length and spring force are adjusted to ensure reliable engagement within the constrained space.
3Productivity
If the locking mechanism is electronically controlled, then productivity and access control efficiency are improved, but the loss of information (power failure) could compromise security
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded tail is pre-configured to automatically engage the latch and secure the bin in the locked position. This preliminary mechanical action ensures that even if electronic power is lost, the bin remains securely locked. The spring force is pre-loaded to maintain engagement without requiring continuous electronic power.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates self-latching functionality through the spring-loaded tail that automatically engages with the latch. Once the actuator moves the lock plate into the locked position, the spring force maintains engagement without requiring continuous electronic actuation. The system serves itself by using the mechanical energy stored in the spring to maintain the locked state.
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
The solution provides enhanced security and traceability for medical supplies and medications, ensuring access control and maintaining a locked state even when power is lost, while being user-friendly and integrated into the existing workflow of healthcare professionals.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator spring may be used to bias the lock into the slot
Implementation Method 2
a tail extending from lower portion of the lock plate and configured to deflect when contacting the post so as to bias the lock plate in the unlocked position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A rectangular shaped lockable bin (150) is defined by four walls and a bottom wall. A lid (151) is hingedly mounted to the rear wall and has a slot (152) located in a front portion thereof. A lock (402) having a latch (420) is pivotably mounted to the front wall of said bin at a pivot point (460) and is configured to be selectively rotated between a locked position and an unlocked position by an actuator (400). A tail (451) extending from the lock contacts a post (452) located on the wall of the bin and bias the lock (402) to the unlocked position. A series of such bins may be received in a delivery module (110), which may be received in a drawer (101).