Medication Support Apparatus With Bottom-Up Package Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication support apparatuses with an upper opening for extracting one-dose packages complicate the structure by requiring a lifter, increasing complexity and effort for medicated persons or assistants.
Innovation Solution
A medication support apparatus with a storage unit that stores one-dose packages stacked below the extracting unit, allowing extraction from the bottom, and a transfer unit to arrange packages on a distributing unit, simplifying the structure and reducing effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening is arranged in an upper portion of the storage unit and the attracting device extracts the one-dose package from an upper side, then the package can be extracted, but a lifter must be provided to lift up remaining packages, complicating the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional extraction approach by arranging the opening in the lower portion of the storage unit and having the attracting device extract packages from the bottom side. This inversion eliminates the need for a lifter mechanism, as packages naturally slide down to the opening under gravity, thereby simplifying the apparatus structure while maintaining ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If a lifter is provided to lift up one-dose packages in the storage unit, then packages can be easily extracted, but the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lifter mechanism from the apparatus by changing the extraction geometry. By positioning the opening at the lower portion and extracting from the bottom, the system eliminates the need for the lifter component entirely, achieving both ease of operation and structural simplicity
3Ease of operation
If the opening is arranged in the upper portion of the storage unit, then packages can be extracted, but more time and effort are required for medicated persons or assistants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the package extraction system to serve itself by utilizing gravity. Packages automatically slide down to the lower opening without requiring manual lifting or complex mechanisms, reducing the time and effort needed for medication administration while improving ease of operation
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 simplified structure reduces time and effort for medicated persons or assistants in administering medications, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an attracting device, extracts a package
Data Source
AI summary
A medication support apparatus includes a storage unit, an extracting unit, a transfer unit, and a medicine distributing unit. The storage unit is configured to store, in a stacked manner, one-dose packages in each of which medicines are packed. The extracting unit is configured to extract a specific one-dose package from the storage unit. The transfer unit is configured to transfer the one-dose package extracted by the extracting unit. One-dose package transferred by the transfer unit is configured to be arranged on the medicine distributing unit. The extracting unit is configured to be located under the storage unit when the one-dose package is extracted from the storage unit.