Universal Supply-Control Module for Fast Pharmacy Picker Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The setup and installation of modern pharmacy order picking apparatuses typically disrupt pharmacy operations for at least five days due to the lengthy process of setup, calibration, and equipment installation, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacy order picking apparatus with a universal supply and control module that includes a housing with shelf boards, a horizontally and vertically movable operating device, a conveying apparatus, and a universal supply and control module that integrates essential assemblies such as a feed apparatus, identification and measurement apparatus, control electronics, and voltage supply, allowing for pre-calibration and connection of electrical assemblies during production, reducing on-site setup time by eliminating the need for on-site electrical connections and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pharmacy order picking apparatuses are installed with separate electrical assemblies and calibration processes, then the apparatus can be fully equipped with all necessary functions, but the setup time extends to at least five days disrupting pharmacy operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical assemblies (feed apparatus, identification and measurement apparatus, operator input/output devices, control electronics, and voltage supply assembly) into a single integrated supply and control module. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation and calibration of each assembly, reducing setup time from five days to a much shorter duration while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply and control module is pre-assembled and pre-calibrated in the manufacturing phase, with all electrical connections and calibrations performed before delivery to the pharmacy. This preliminary action eliminates on-site calibration work, allowing the module to be installed as a complete, ready-to-operate unit that minimizes disruption to pharmacy operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electrical assemblies are installed in the housing, then each function can be independently implemented, but the complexity of on-site electrical connections and calibration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates five distinct electrical assemblies into one consolidated supply and control module, maintaining all necessary functions (feeding, identification, measurement, control, and power supply) while eliminating the complexity of connecting multiple separate assemblies. The module provides a single, simplified interface for installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If calibration of storage locations and filling is performed on-site after installation, then the apparatus can be accurately calibrated to pharmacy requirements, but two additional days are required beyond the initial setup time
Solution Approach 1:
The supply and control module is calibrated during the manufacturing process before delivery to the pharmacy. This preliminary calibration ensures that all storage locations and filling mechanisms are pre-adjusted to precise specifications, eliminating the need for on-site calibration while maintaining high accuracy standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmacy picking device including a housing with a plurality of shelf bases disposed one above the other, at least one operating device, a conveyor device, a housing-coupling interface, and a universal supply-and-control module is described herein. This universal supply-and-control module includes a feed device, an identification and measurement device, operator input/output devices, an electronic controller and a voltage supply assembly, as well as a housing-coupling interface and an electrical interface, the supply-and-control module being arranged adjacent to the housing such that a mechanical coupling is produced by said housing-coupling interface and module-coupling interface, in such a manner that drug packages in or on the supply-and-control module, which are to be deposited, are delivered to a position on the conveyor device which is known to the electronic controller.