Rotating Dial Dosage Indicator with Spring-Loaded Engaging Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals often forget the last time they consumed dosage-based consumable goods, leading to potential skipping of doses or taking additional doses too soon, due to the complexity and inaccuracies of existing reminder systems.
Innovation Solution
A dosage reminder indicator for container lids, allowing users to rotate a dial to align a reminder indicator with timing indicators, such as days of the week or times of day, using a spring mechanism and engaging members to securely position the indicator without complex mechanisms or battery operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dosage reminder system is implemented, then dosage adherence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to manually set the dosage timing by rotating the dial to align the indicator with the desired time, eliminating the need for complex automated sensing or programming mechanisms. The spring-loaded engaging members automatically maintain the set position without additional power or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic or automated reminder systems with a simple mechanical dial and indicator system. The spring mechanism and engaging members provide tactile feedback and secure positioning through pure mechanical means, avoiding batteries, motors, or electronic circuits.
2Measurement precision
If a secure positioning mechanism is used, then indicator accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging members are designed to be dynamically responsive: they flex outward under light user pressure to allow smooth rotation, then snap into engagement with the corresponding features on the outer ring to provide secure, accurate positioning. This dynamic behavior enables both easy adjustment and precise locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded engaging members provide localized mechanical advantage at specific points around the dial perimeter. Each engaging member creates a small zone of high friction or mechanical interlocking that secures the position, while the rest of the dial surface remains smooth and easy to rotate.
3Ease of operation
If a manual dial system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate tactile feedback through the spring mechanism as the dial is rotated. When an engaging member engages with a corresponding feature on the outer ring, the user feels a distinct click or resistance change, confirming accurate positioning. The visual alignment of the indicator with the desired time marker also provides confirmatory feedback.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides an easy-to-use, accurate, and reliable method for users to determine if they have taken a dose or when their next dose is due, enhancing adherence to medication schedules without the need for batteries or expensive parts, and can be customized for various dosage regimens.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism configured to press the inner dial against the outer ring
Implementation Method 2
one of either the one or more first engaging members or the one or more second engaging members comprise flexible protruding members
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein provide for a dosage reminder indicator for containers, allowing a user to align a dosage reminder (e.g., “last” or “next”) with timing indicators (e.g., days, times). In one embodiment, an inner dial has first engaging members and an outer ring has second engaging members mating with the first engaging members, where a dosage reminder indicator and a plurality of dosage timing indicators are opposingly located on either the inner dial or outer ring. The inner dial and the outer ring are rotatably engaged with respect to each other such that the dosage reminder indicator points to any selected one of the plurality of dosage timing indicators in a secured position (when the first and second engaging members are mated), where rotation is permitted based on user-applied force to disengage mating of the first and second engaging members, while the inner dial and the outer ring remain rotatably engaged.