Exception Vial Carousel Control for Spill-Safe Presentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated pharmacy systems face challenges in efficiently handling and presenting exception vials, such as those that are unsuitable for distribution due to incorrect filling, labeling, or cap issues, with existing systems often having low speed and lacking secure closure mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a carousel with a servomotor and controller that rotates to present exception vials to an operator for removal, ensuring secure handling and accessibility, while maintaining the carousel's position until user intervention is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a robotic arm or carrier moves the vial within the system to handle exception vials, then automation is improved, but the risk of tablet spillage increases if the vial is uncapped or loosely capped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of exception vial handlingVSAvoidtablet spillage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exception carousel provides a protected, enclosed environment with compartments that securely hold exception vials during transport and presentation. The carousel structure prevents tablet spillage by containing vials in designated slots throughout the rotation cycle, addressing the spillage risk before it can occur during automated handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The exception carousel acts as an intermediary device between the robotic arm/carrier and the exception vials. It provides a controlled interface that allows automated systems to handle exception vials safely by presenting them in a secure, enclosed manner that prevents spillage while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the carousel rotates freely to present exception vials, then ease of access is improved, but control over presentation timing and position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to exception vialsVSAvoidcontrol mechanism for carousel position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exception carousel employs a dynamic control system that allows it to rotate in response to user interaction (pushing the carousel) while maintaining controlled stopping positions. This dynamic behavior enables easy access through simple user actions while the control system ensures precise positioning and timing of vial presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carousel control system uses feedback from user interaction (detecting when the user pushes the carousel) to initiate rotation and from position sensors to determine when to stop at specific compartments. This feedback mechanism maintains control over presentation timing and position while allowing easy user-initiated access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the system presents all vials at once, then accessibility is improved, but the time to locate and retrieve specific exception vials increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of exception vialsVSAvoidtime to retrieve exception vial

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The exception carousel divides exception vials into separate, individually accessible compartments arranged in a circular pattern. This segmentation allows the system to present only the relevant compartment to the user at any given time, improving accessibility while reducing the time needed to locate and retrieve specific exception vials by eliminating the need to search through all vials simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances the efficiency of handling exception vials by allowing easy access and secure presentation, reducing the risk of spills and improving the overall speed of pharmaceutical dispensing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the servomotor associated with a detector; and a controller, the controller configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when the detector detects a user's attempt to rotate the carousel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force detection: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8321050B2Device for selectively presenting objects

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 RIVENBARK JR JAMES ROBERT

AI summary

An assembly for selectively presenting objects includes: a frame; a carousel rotatably mounted to the frame for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation, the carousel including a plurality of object compartments arranged about the axis of rotation; a servomotor operably connected with the carousel, the servomotor being configured to rotate the carousel about the axis of rotation; and a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the servomotor to rotate the carousel when torque applied to the servomotor exceeds a predetermined magnitude. Such an assembly can serve as a presentation device that enables an operator to remove objects therefrom at his/her convenience.