Universal Carriage Timer with Automatic Reset for Medication Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timers integrated into containers are limited in their adaptability to different sizes and shapes, often require manual resetting, and may not automatically reset when the container cap is removed, leading to potential health risks due to incorrect medication administration or usage tracking.
Innovation Solution
A universal carriage with an integrated timer that secures containers of various sizes and shapes, featuring a lever and timer reset mechanism using a gravity response member and switch, allowing automatic resetting when the container is removed and reinserted, ensuring accurate time tracking without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a timer is integrated into a specific container (pill bottle), then the timer can track medication dosage timing, but the timer is limited to use on that specific bottle and cannot be adapted to other containers
Solution Approach 1:
The timer device is designed as a universal carriage that can accommodate multiple containers of different sizes and shapes. The carriage includes adjustable securing arms and a standardized interface that allows the same timer mechanism to be used with various medication bottles, eliminating the need for separate timers for each container while maintaining reliable timing tracking
2Ease of operation
If a manual timer is used, then the user can control the timer resetting, but the user may forget to reset the timer, rendering it useless
Solution Approach 1:
The timer system automatically resets itself when the container is removed from or reinserted into the carriage. The carriage detects container presence/absence and triggers the timer reset function without requiring user intervention, ensuring the timer remains functional even when the user forgets to reset it manually
3Ease of operation
If a timer automatically resets when a bottle cap is removed, then the timer is easy to use, but it cannot be integrated into other types of containers
Solution Approach 1:
The universal carriage acts as an intermediary between the timer mechanism and various containers. Instead of integrating the timer directly into each container type, the carriage provides a standardized interface that detects container removal/reinsertion and triggers automatic timer resetting, enabling automatic operation across multiple container types
4Adaptability or versatility
If a universal carriage design is used to accommodate different container sizes and shapes, then the carriage can work with various containers, but the securing mechanism must be more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage employs dynamic securing arms that can move and adjust their position to accommodate containers of different sizes and shapes. The arms include adjustable clamps and positioning elements that adapt to various container dimensions, providing secure holding without requiring a complex fixed structure for each container type
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 universal carriage provides a secure and adaptable solution for tracking medication administration across different container sizes and shapes, ensuring accurate timing and minimizing health risks by automatically resetting the timer with each use.
Implementation Method 1
When the integrated timer is pivoted at a sufficient angle away from the carriage (at or about 45 degrees from the central vertical axis of the carriage in preferred embodiments), the gravity response member will move towards the timer reset switch
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for holding a container comprising of a carriage and timing mechanism. The apparatus is comprised of a lever with at least two positions relative to the carriage, a timer, and a timer reset mechanism such that when the lever is in the first position, the timer will start counting time. When the lever is moved to the second position, the timer reset mechanism will modify the timer such as by resetting the amount of time that has been counted. The user thus knows how much time has passed since the user last changed the position of the lever.