Medication picking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication order-picking devices in pharmacies have suboptimal storage capacity due to inefficient structural design, leading to wasted space and limited storage potential.

Innovation Solution

The medication order-picking device features elongated vertical struts with beveled corner sections supported by bearing floor supports, allowing for maximum horizontal plane utilization, with modular design and shared components to enhance stability and compactness, thereby increasing storage capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional shelving structures are used with standard support configurations, then structural stability is maintained, but storage capacity is limited due to wasted space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies chamfered corner sections (geometric modification) to the bearing base, transforming the traditional rectangular corner into an angled configuration. This curvature modification allows the bearing base to be positioned closer to the rear wall, eliminating wasted triangular spaces and maximizing the usable storage area within the shelving unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the third dimension (depth) more effectively by positioning the bearing base flush against the rear wall through the chamfered corner design. This dimensional optimization converts previously unused space between the support structure and the rear wall into productive storage space, increasing storage capacity without expanding the shelving unit's footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular shelving components are used with multiple attachment points, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular adaptabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical strut is designed with multiple functions integrated into a single component: it provides structural support, serves as an attachment point for side wall elements, and incorporates bearing base supports with multiple receptacles. This multi-functionality allows the same component to adapt to different shelving configurations and storage requirements without requiring additional specialized parts, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4235607A1Medication picking device
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
  • EP4235607A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4235607A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4235607A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical order picking device (1) comprising at least one shelf device (7) and at least one movable storage and retrieval device (6) for storing and removing stored pharmaceutical packages, wherein the at least one shelf device (7) comprises two vertical struts (8a, 8b), a rear wall (4) which is detachably connected to the pair of vertical struts (8), two side wall elements (9a, 9b) which are each detachably connected to an associated vertical strut (8a, 8b), and at least one storage shelf (10).The at least one bearing shelf (10) has two rounded or chamfered corner sections (10e, 10f) which are supported by respective bearing shelf supports (8c) of the two vertical struts (8a, 8b) in such a way that the side edge (10a) of the at least one bearing shelf (10) running between the rounded or chamfered corner sections (10e, 10f) is arranged flush against the rear wall (4).