Medicament Picking Obstacle Detection for Collision-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Picking devices for medicaments often experience downtime due to collisions with obstacles left behind, which can damage the device and require manual intervention for removal, leading to inefficiencies and potential medicament misplacement.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an optical detection device and control unit within the picking device to create images of its movement space, compare these images with reference images, and determine the presence and position of obstacles, allowing for the prevention or navigation around obstacles to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If manual intervention is allowed for cleaning and maintenance, then the picking device can be properly maintained, but obstacles may be left behind causing collisions and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles in the movement path before the operating device moves. The detection device scans the area, and if obstacles are detected, the system alerts the operator or automatically adjusts the path, preventing collisions before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device provides continuous feedback about the movement space to the control device. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor for obstacles and respond in real-time, adjusting operations to avoid collisions while maintaining safe access for maintenance.
2Productivity
If the operating device moves automatically through the movement space, then productivity is improved, but collisions with obstacles cause downtime and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles in the movement path before automatic operation begins. This advance detection allows the system to plan collision-free paths, maintaining high productivity while preventing downtime-causing collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical obstacle detection methods with an optical detection device that uses light to detect obstacles. This substitution enables faster, more accurate detection without mechanical contact, allowing high-speed automatic operation while preventing collisions.
3Reliability
If the movement space is kept clear of obstacles, then collision-free operation is maintained, but access for cleaning and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device acts as an intermediary between the operating device and obstacles. It provides advance warning of obstacles, allowing the system to adjust operations or alert operators without requiring constant manual inspection, thus maintaining both safety and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback about obstacles to operators through alerts or displays. This allows operators to maintain the movement space clear of obstacles while still having easy access for maintenance, as they are informed of obstacle locations without needing to physically search for them.
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
This solution prevents collisions and associated downtime by enabling the picking device to detect and respond to obstacles, either by blocking movement or navigating around them, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring access to all storage areas.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection device...create an image of the movement space
Implementation Method 2
compare predefined areas of the image of the movement space with corresponding areas of a reference image
Data Source
AI summary
A system having a picking device for medicaments are provided. The system including a picking device that includes a movement space, an optical detection device and a control device. The system also includes a memory and a processor configured to create an image of the movement space, compare predefined areas of the image of the movement space with corresponding areas of a reference image, determine that an obstacle is present in a detected portion of the movement space based on the image comparison and provide corresponding signals for responding to the obstacle. A machine-readable medium for operating picking devices for medicaments is also provided.