In this phase, we designed 3D printed parts to house the laser and the laser sensor, as well as the load cell. We also added another stopper onto each dispensing cup to ensure that only one pill is dispensed from the dispensing cup each time, to prevent the pill dispenser from jamming.

Laser housing                                 Connection platform                      Laser sensor housing

Assembled housing attached to the slide

The housing for the laser sensor and laser is shown above. The hole for the laser beam is smaller than the hole for the laser itself, making the laser beam thinner. The measurements of the housing are very exact, such that the laser beam is perfectly aligned to the bottom of the slide as well as to the centre of the laser sensor, so that all pills sliding down the slide into the collection cup will block the laser beam successfully, regardless of their shapes and sizes.

If the laser sensor detects that the laser beam has been blocked, it confirms that the pill had been successfully dispensed into the collection cup and proceeds to dispense the next pill if any. If the laser sensor does not detect any blockage of the laser beam, it will re-dispense the specific pill again. This is crucial to ensure that users receive the correct quantities of each type of pill in the collection cup. 

Stopper for pills: Version 1 (left) and Version 2 (right)

Version 2 of the stopper for pills can be slotted onto the dispensing cup and “locked” in place on the dispensing cup support as well.

We designed an additional stopper for each dispensing cup to ensure that only one pill is dispensed each time, preventing the pill dispenser from jamming or from providing users with the wrong quantity of pills. The first version of the stopper successfully prevented “double-fitting” of pills into the slot in the inner disc, but it was not secured onto the dispensing cup or dispensing cup support, so when the “jiggle” motion happened, it shifted in position, causing the pill dispenser to jam. The second improved version of the stopper could be slotted onto the dispensing cup and “locked” on the dispensing cup support as well, securing its position while preventing the “double-fitting” of pills. 

The collection cup was redesigned to house the load cell. The load cell detects weight fluctuations by detecting changes in flexion, so space is required for the flexion to occur; the load cell cannot be simply attached to the bottom of the collection cup. We designed a platform with a groove to house the load cell and hold the platform in place on the acrylic board with screws. The collection cup rests on the platform.