Compact Pill Dispenser with Motorized Locking and Nested Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic tamper-resistant pill dispensers are costly, complex, and not user-friendly, often requiring patients to purchase and program them separately, which can lead to non-compliance and misuse of prescription medications, contributing to the growing issue of drug-related deaths and prescription compliance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A compact, tamper-resistant pill dispensing system with a top module, outer case, and bottom module, featuring a motorized locking mechanism, pill storage compartments, a microcontroller, and wireless communication, designed to be cost-effective and simple to use, allowing scheduled dispensing of pills without the need for external programming or complex setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex mechanical systems are used for dispensing medication, then tamper resistance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoidmechanical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into three main modules: a top module containing the motor and locking mechanism, an outer case housing the pill storage compartments, and a bottom module with the dispensing mechanism. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the first inner container module is disposed within the second inner container module, which is itself disposed within the outer case. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating the need for separate external containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If metal construction is used to reduce tampering risks, then tamper resistance is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs composite construction combining metal components (motor housing, locking mechanism elements) with polymer materials (outer case, inner container modules). This composite approach provides sufficient tamper resistance through strategic metal placement while minimizing overall weight by using lighter polymer materials for non-critical structural components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing electronic devices are distributed separately from prescriptions, then device functionality is maintained, but patient compliance decreases due to complexity of purchase and programming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pill storage compartments directly into the device structure, with the first inner container module nested within the second inner container module, which is integrated into the outer case. This integration eliminates the need for separate programming and setup steps, as the device is provided ready-to-use with prescriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates an automated motorized locking mechanism that operates without patient intervention. The motor, disposed in the top module, automatically engages and disengages the locking mechanism at scheduled times, eliminating the need for patients to manually program or operate complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Weight of moving object

If compact design is implemented, then device portability is improved, but internal space for components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidinternal space

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the first inner container module is disposed within the second inner container module, which is itself disposed within the outer case. This nesting configuration maximizes the use of internal space within a compact footprint, allowing sufficient room for pill storage compartments, motor, and locking mechanism without increasing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes vertical stacking of components, with the motor disposed vertically in the top module and the nested container modules arranged vertically within the outer case. This vertical arrangement optimizes space utilization in the height dimension, allowing a compact horizontal footprint while maintaining adequate internal volume for all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20240335357A1Pill dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 PHARMASAFE

AI summary

A pill dispensing system includes a tamper resistant top module, an outer case, and a bottom module. The top module includes a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the top module. A removable first inner container module includes a pill storage compartment configured to contain a plurality of pills. The removable first inner container module is disposed in a second inner container module positioned in the outer case. The bottom module includes a gate and pill dispensing mechanism. The pill dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense a pill through the gate at a scheduled time configured by a microcontroller. The length of the pill dispensing system is less than twice a diameter of the outer case.