Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Abstract

Team 21 was tasked by Professor Nassersharif and the University of Rhode Island to develop an automatic pill dispenser to help consumers remember when to take their medications as well as accurately dispense the correct dosage at the correct times. This device was to be controlled via a phone app and it was to be cheaper than the devices on the market. To accomplish this, the team thoroughly researched the products on the market to understand what methods of pill dispensing were standard. Having a better understanding of these products the team was able to start developing designs of their own. Each member produced 30 individual designs for a total of 120 designs. These were then sorted into the following groups: Container A (first container that pills are stored in), Container B (Where pills are taken after dispensing), Dispensing device, and Mobile App. A Quality Function Deployment comparison was then performed to sort the ideas into 3 main concepts. Three preliminary designs of the dispenser were then modeled, and feedback was given.

Based on the feedback and the team’s own decisions, it was elected to build off of the vacuum gripper design from previous years. Following a similar method, the team produced 15 more concepts each that included a vacuum gripper design. From these designs a final prototype design was chosen. The main design behind this prototype includes a revolving carousel that contains 4 pill silos and 1 dispensing funnel. A vacuum pump is used for suction and a vacuum tip is attached to a linear slider that can be found pre-assembled. The vacuum head is lowered into the pills until an in-line pressure sensor detects that a pill has been picked up when the pressure drops. From here the slider moves back up and the carousel moves to the dispense position where the pill is then dropped.

After 3D printing all parts, procurement of electronic components and motors, and assembly, a range of testing was conducted. In the end after some design iteration, the final prototype was found to meet all the basic established design specifications. However, more work will be needed to produce a product fit for sale, so a plan was created for potential future teams to complete the project.

Comments

Team Name: Team 21, Der Saugergreifer

Sponsor: Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

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