Reusable Wireless Blister Pack with Detachable Electronic Card
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless medication blister pack assemblies are not reusable, leading to high manufacturing costs and environmental concerns, as the entire assembly is discarded after use, and they require users to modify their handling methods.
Innovation Solution
A reusable wireless medication blister pack system with a detachable electronic card and blister pack attachment, where the electronic card can be securely housed and reused by configuring a locking system between locked and releasing configurations, allowing detection of blister detachment or opening without affecting user handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic components are integral to the blister pack assembly, then the detection functionality is reliable, but the assembly cannot be reused and manufacturing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modules: a reusable electronic card containing the detection electronics, a disposable blister pack assembly with electric traces, and a attachment mechanism. The electronic card is separated from the blister pack assembly, allowing the expensive electronic components to be reused while the disposable portion maintains reliable detection functionality through its electric traces that connect to the card when attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable blister pack assembly with electric traces is discarded after use, while the expensive electronic card is recovered and reused for subsequent blister pack assemblies. This resolves the contradiction by allowing reliable detection (when attached) while reducing manufacturing costs through reuse of the electronic components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire assembly is discarded after use, then the system is simple to manufacture, but it is not environmentally friendly and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the disposable blister pack assembly from the reusable electronic card, allowing only the necessary disposable components to be discarded while recovering and reusing the electronic components. This reduces waste generation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the disposable portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable electronic card is recovered from used blister pack assemblies and reused for subsequent assemblies. This resolves the contradiction by reducing waste generation through reuse of electronic components while keeping the disposable portions simple to manufacture.
3Loss of substance
If the electronic card is detachable and reusable, then waste is reduced and costs are lowered, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components (electronic card, blister pack assembly, attachment mechanism) that can be easily connected and disconnected. This reduces waste through reuse while keeping the attachment mechanism simple rather than complex, as the segmentation allows for straightforward connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable electronic card can attach to multiple different blister pack assemblies, providing universal functionality. This reduces waste through reuse while the attachment mechanism maintains simplicity by using standardized connection interfaces that work across different assemblies.
4Reliability
If the electronic components are integrated into the blister pack, then the detection capability is reliable, but users must modify their handling methods
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic card is separated from the blister pack assembly, with the attachment mechanism designed to automatically maintain electrical connections when attached. This preserves detection capability reliability while allowing users to handle the disposable blister pack assembly in conventional ways without needing to modify their handling methods for integrated electronics.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to wireless medication blister pack assembly and to a blister pack attachment to be secured to a blister pack assembly. The attachment an electronic card housing for receiving an electronic card which includes electronic components such as card connectors, and a locking system which is configurable between a locked configuration and a releasing configuration. In the locked configuration, the blister pack assembly and the electronic card are connected, with sheet connectors provided on the blister pack assembly and the card connectors being in electronic communication. Such electronic communication allows the electronic components to detect whether a given blister has been detached from the blister pack assembly. In the releasing configuration, the electronic card and the blister pack assembly can be removed from the blister pack attachment, so as to allow the electronic card to be reused with a replacement blister pack assembly.