Multi-cell pillbox with push-button closure mechanisms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals taking multiple medications daily face challenges in organizing their pills due to cognitive decline and complex dosing regimens, requiring a convenient and user-friendly medication management system.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cell pillbox with easy-to-use opening and closure mechanisms, featuring one or more rows of cells with push-button activation and a hinge structure that allows for efficient access and organization of pills by time of day, using materials like polypropylene for durability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional pillbox is used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult opening and closure mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pillbox is divided into multiple independent cells arranged in rows and columns, with each cell having its own closure mechanism. This segmentation allows users to access only the specific cell needed without opening the entire pillbox, improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized repeating units.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanisms incorporate movable components including push-buttons that depress to release latches, hinged lids that swing open, and snap-fit covers that can be easily attached and detached. These dynamic elements enable simple user interactions while providing secure closure when engaged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rows of cells are added to organize medications by time of day, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pillbox is organized into multiple rows and columns of cells, with each row potentially serving a different time period (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening). This segmentation allows systematic organization of medications by time of day while maintaining a modular structure that can be manufactured efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cell in the grid can serve multiple functions: storing different medications, indicating different times of day, and providing secure closure. The standardized cell design across all rows and columns creates a universal template that scales from single-cell to multi-row configurations without requiring fundamentally different mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If push-button activation is used to open cells, then the ease of operation improves for users with cognitive decline, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a latch system where pressing the button releases a latch that allows the lid to swing open automatically. This self-service design eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms while providing secure closure when the button is not pressed, maintaining ease of operation with manageable complexity.
4Ease of operation
If a hinge structure is added to allow easy access to cells, then the ease of operation improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is integrated directly into the cell assembly, merging the hinge function with the lid and base components. This integration eliminates separate hinge parts and assembly steps while providing smooth rotation for easy access to cells, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-cell pillbox is presented, comprising a base portion comprising a set of N cells organized in one or more rows, each row including M cells, and i top cover portions configured to respectively fit over the N cells, where i is a number of rows of the base portion. In embodiments, each cover portion includes an individual cover for each of the M cells, the M individual covers configured to respectively close over M cells in a row of the base portion, each individual cover including a slot, configured to receive an insert. In embodiments, in a front portion of each cell of the base portion, there is provided a push tab connected to the base portion via a flexible member, the push tab including, at a rear portion thereof, a protrusion, the protrusion configured to be inserted into a slot of a corresponding individual cover for that cell.