Indicating type counting aerosol driver

Abstract

The invention relates to an indicating type counting aerosol driver, and belongs to the field of medicinal quantitative aerosol drivers. Comprising an aerosol bottle, a counting assembly and a driver shell. Wherein a plurality of buckling fingers are arranged on the circumference of the aerosol bottle sleeve, the buckling fingers are buckled and fixed with a bottle opening of the aerosol bottle, the aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can move synchronously, the aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can be detached, and the counting assembly does not comprise an elastic component for supporting action recovery. By means of the finger buckling structure, initial driving of the counting assembly depends on downward pressing movement of the whole aerosol bottle, an elastic structure in the aerosol bottle is used for driving the aerosol bottle sleeve to complete the reset action of the counting assembly, the counting action and use of the aerosol bottle are made to be synchronous and coordinated, counting accuracy is improved, and meanwhile production cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a metering aerosol driver, and more particularly to an indicator-type inhalation aerosol driver that utilizes a mechanical structure to perform a counting purpose. Background Technology

[0002] Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the two most serious respiratory diseases affecting patients. Inhaled drug delivery has become a relatively mature and common treatment for respiratory diseases, and the inhalation delivery method using metered-dose aerosol drivers has become the main route of choice for the treatment of drugs involving respiratory diseases.

[0003] The key feature of metered-dose inhaler drivers is that each press precisely dispenses the set dose of medication, facilitating inhalation therapy. However, most commercially available inhaler bottles and driver devices are made of opaque materials, making it difficult for patients to accurately judge the remaining medication level. Furthermore, when the metered-dose inhaler is nearly depleted, the last few presses cannot guarantee accurate dosage. This has spurred the development and production of counting metered-dose inhaler drivers.

[0004] In existing technologies, aerosol actuators that utilize mechanical structures for counting employ independent elastic structures to reset the counting component, allowing it to return to its initial state after completing the counting process for the next counting cycle. However, this approach separates the counting component's reset action from the aerosol bottle's reset action. During the overall use of the device, the elastic structures of the counting component and the aerosol bottle may experience varying degrees of attenuation, causing asynchronous counting and ultimately leading to miscounting.

[0005] Meanwhile, existing aerosol actuators use an integrated counting component, with the counting component's structure encased in a housing to form an independent component located within the actuator housing. This limits the driving structure that contacts the aerosol bottle. The counting component is driven via a circumferential platform at the aerosol bottle opening. During use, the valve stem end is fixed inside the actuator housing, while the counting component is located between the valve stem actuator housing and the circumferential platform at the aerosol bottle opening. The lower end of the counting component is fixed against the inside of the actuator housing. Currently, the distance from the circumferential platform at the bottle opening to the valve stem end varies among aerosol bottle manufacturers. This means that only aerosol bottles from specific manufacturers can accurately trigger the counting process of the counting component. When changing aerosol bottle manufacturers, the coordination and linkage of the counting component need to be recalculated and designed, resulting in low adaptability of the overall counting component.

[0006] Currently, especially for counting components that are driven by the end face of the aerosol bottle, the presence of internal elastic components during the installation of the whole device means that the counting component is in a ready-to-use state during installation. At this time, the aerosol can needs to be pressed into the driver. If the pressing action is not controlled, the counting component will be accidentally triggered. After the accidental triggering, the display of the counting component needs to be readjusted, which increases the difficulty and time of the installation of the whole device. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main objective of this invention is to provide an indicator-type counting aerosol driver with high adaptability and accurate counting action, addressing the aforementioned problems.

[0008] An indicative counting aerosol driver includes: an aerosol bottle, a counting component, and a driver housing. The counting component is driven by a ratchet and includes an aerosol bottle sleeve, a number wheel, a transmission wheel, and a counting base. The aerosol bottle sleeve can be fitted onto the aerosol bottle. The transmission wheel has a ratchet-shaped circumference. The back of the driver housing is provided with a display window, which is fan-shaped and has an inwardly pointing indicator tip at the edge.

[0009] Furthermore, the aerosol bottle sleeve is provided with multiple snap fingers around its circumference, the snap fingers are engaged and fixed with the mouth of the aerosol bottle, the aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can move synchronously, the aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can be disassembled, and the counting component does not include an elastic component to support the return of movement.

[0010] Furthermore, the aerosol bottle sleeve is a ring structure fitted onto the counting base. The aerosol bottle sleeve is provided with a guide arm, which passes through the counting base and serves as a connector. The end face of the guide arm is set as a right-angled triangular buckle, with the acute angle of the triangle pointing outward, so that the guide arm and the counting base cannot be separated after being connected.

[0011] Furthermore, the aerosol bottle sleeve is provided with a top finger that slopes downwards, and the top finger is matched with the ratchet shape of the transmission wheel.

[0012] Furthermore, the counting base is provided with a flexible anti-reverse support arm, the end face of which is a triangular bevel that meshes with the ratchet of the transmission wheel to restrict the rotation direction of the transmission wheel.

[0013] Furthermore, the aerosol bottle sleeve extends downwards with multiple uprights. The height of the uprights is less than the vertical height between the top finger and the guide arm. After the aerosol bottle is pressed down, the bottom surface of the uprights contacts the circumferential top surface of the counting base.

[0014] Furthermore, the digital wheel has multiple transmission ratchet teeth arranged circumferentially on the non-digital surface, and the transmission wheel is provided with a transmission block. The transmission block contacts the transmission ratchet teeth, and the transmission wheel rotates one revolution, causing one tooth on the transmission ratchet teeth to rotate.

[0015] Furthermore, the digital surface of the digital wheel is provided with multiple limiting recesses around its circumference.

[0016] Preferably, the limiting recess is hemispherical in shape.

[0017] Furthermore, the counting base is provided with a limiting flexible column, and the end of the limiting flexible column is provided with a limiting block, the shape of the limiting block matching the shape of the limiting recess.

[0018] Preferably, a convex mirror is provided on the counting base, and the convex mirror is located behind the display window to magnify the corresponding part of the number wheel.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. The starting drive component in the counting assembly is fixed to the aerosol bottle in the form of an aerosol bottle sleeve. The original elastic structure contained in the aerosol bottle is used to complete the reset drive of the counting assembly. This reduces the need for additional reset parts, saves production costs, and reduces the assembly difficulty of the counting assembly.

[0021] 2. By separately fixing the aerosol can sleeve to the aerosol can, the up-and-down reciprocating motion of the aerosol can sleeve is synchronized with the use of the aerosol can, avoiding misalignment between parts due to wear and tear during use, and reducing the possibility of miscounting. Furthermore, when using aerosol cans from different manufacturers, only the distance between the hooks on the aerosol can sleeve needs to be adjusted, avoiding the need to recalculate the travel distance between the entire counting components, thus improving the adaptability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of an indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a rear view of an indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the counting component and the aerosol bottle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an aerosol bottle sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a front view of a digital wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the digital wheel and the transmission wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a counting base according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the counting base and the digital wheel in cooperation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the counting component and the aerosol bottle in the initial state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the contact state between the counting component and the aerosol bottle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Wherein: 1-Aerosol bottle, 2-Counting component, 21-Aerosol bottle sleeve, 211-Snap finger, 212-Top finger, 213-Column, 214-Guide arm, 22-Digital wheel, 221-Limit recess, 222-Stop rail, 223-Transmission ratchet, 23-Transmission wheel, 231-Ratchet, 232-Transmission lever, 24-Counting base, 241-Convex mirror, 242-Stop block, 243-Limit flexible column, 244-Limit protrusion, 245-Anti-reverse support arm, 3-Driver housing, 31-Display window, 32-Indicator tip. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following description is intended to disclose the invention and enable those skilled in the art to implement it. The preferred embodiments described below are merely examples, and other obvious variations will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Figures 1 to 10 This invention illustrates a preferred embodiment of an indicative counting aerosol driver, which, like conventional structures, also includes structural components such as an aerosol bottle 1, a counting assembly 2, and a driver housing 3. in:

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the counting component 2 is positioned between the aerosol bottle 1 and the driver housing 3. A fan-shaped display window 31 is located on the back of the driver housing 3, allowing the user to observe the internal counting component 2 and easily obtain information about the remaining dosage inside the aerosol bottle 1. An indicator tip 32 is provided inwards from the upper edge of the display window 31 to help determine the remaining dosage range, preventing cognitive errors when two numbers are displayed in the display window 31 area, avoiding misjudgment of the remaining usable dosage inside the aerosol bottle 1, and ensuring that the user can promptly purchase a new aerosol bottle 1 or a new aerosol driver. The counting component 2 includes an aerosol bottle sleeve 21, a number wheel 22, a transmission wheel 23, and a counting base 24. The upper part of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 is fitted around the mouth of the aerosol bottle 1, while its lower end penetrates and connects to the counting base 24. The number wheel 22 and the transmission wheel 23 are fixed to the counting base 24, forming a right angle and contacting each other.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the upper end of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 is provided with multiple latches 211, which are used to engage with the bottle mouth step of the aerosol bottle 1, so that the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 can be fixed on the aerosol bottle 1, and the movement of the two is synchronized. The lower end of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 is provided with a single top finger 212, multiple uprights 213, and multiple guide arms 214. The top finger 212 is set obliquely downward at a certain acute angle from the lower end of the ring of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21, and the top finger 212 has a certain length and will undergo a certain deformation during the overall downward movement of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21. The guide arm 214 is longer than the vertical height of the top finger 212. A right-angled triangular latch structure is provided at the far end of the guide arm 214. The guide arm 214 will connect the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 to the counting base 24 through the reserved space on the counting base 24, allowing them to move vertically. At the same time, the acute angle of the latch structure faces outward, limiting the upward movement distance of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21, so that the user will not detach the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 when replacing it with a new aerosol bottle 1. The extension height of the column 213 is less than the vertical height of the top finger 212 and the guide arm 214. When the aerosol bottle 1 is pressed down, the bottom surface of the column 213 contacts the circumferential top surface of the counting base 24, limiting the downward movement distance of the aerosol bottle sleeve 21, which facilitates the assembly and fixation of the aerosol bottle 1 and the aerosol bottle sleeve 21.

[0038] like Figure 5-6As shown, the numbers N-0 are arranged sequentially around the circumference of the digital wheel 22, where N is a number greater than 1. The numbers decrease by a fixed value, and the specific value of N can be adjusted according to the internal standard dosage of the aerosol bottle 1, often using 200 or 120. A limiting recess 221 is provided on the coaxial circumference of the digital surface of the digital wheel 22. The limiting recess 221 is hemispherical in shape, and a stop bar 222 is provided in the inward extension range of the limiting recess 221. The position of the stop bar 222 corresponds to the position of the outer number 0.

[0039] The digital wheel 22 and the transmission wheel 23 are in contact at a right angle. The outer periphery of the transmission wheel 23 is provided with ratchet 231, which has ten teeth. A single transmission paddle 232 is provided on a plane opposite to the ratchet 231, and the tooth height of the transmission paddle 232 is higher than that of the ratchet 231. A ring of transmission ratchet 223 is arranged around the non-digital surface of the digital wheel 22. When the transmission wheel 23 completes one revolution, the transmission paddle 232 contacts the transmission ratchet 223, and the transmission ratchet rotates once. That is, when the transmission wheel 23 is paddled 10 times, the digital wheel is paddled once.

[0040] like Figures 7-8 As shown, the counting base 24 has two slots for placing the digital wheel 22 and the transmission wheel 23 respectively. A laterally extending anti-reverse support arm 245 is provided in the slot for placing the transmission wheel 23. The end face of the anti-reverse support arm 245 is triangular and beveled. This end face will mesh with the ratchet 231 on the transmission wheel 23. When the transmission wheel 23 may be misaligned or accidentally rotate slightly counterclockwise, the triangular bevel of the anti-reverse support arm 245 will engage with the ratchet 231, preventing the transmission wheel 23 from rotating counterclockwise.

[0041] The counting base 24 has a stop block 242 in the slot for holding the digital wheel 22. The position of the stop block 242 corresponds to the position of the stop bar 222 on the digital surface of the digital wheel 22. When the stop bar 222 of the digital wheel 22 reaches the stop block 242, it will be intercepted, causing the counting component 2 to stop counting when it counts to the number 0. A limiting flexible post 243 is provided on the outer edge support surface of the slot. The non-fixed end of the limiting flexible post 243 has a limiting protrusion 244. The limiting protrusion 244 has the same shape as the limiting recess 221 on the digital wheel 22. When not in use, the limiting protrusion 244 is always located in a limiting recess 221, which prevents the digital wheel 22 from being misaligned due to shaking or accidental falling. It also makes the rotation angle of the digital wheel 22 clearer and makes it easier for the digital wheel 22 to display the number. The upper half of the support surface is provided with a convex mirror 241, the position of which corresponds to the position of the display window 31. The structure of the convex mirror 241 can magnify the displayed numbers, which helps the user to see the numbers displayed on the number wheel 22 clearly.

[0042] like Figures 9-10As shown, the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 is fixed to the aerosol bottle 1 by means of the snap finger 211. By simply adjusting the length of the snap finger 211, the counting component 2 can be adapted to any manufacturer's aerosol bottle 1. The top finger 212 on the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 will move up and down with the aerosol bottle 1. During the use of the overall drive, the aerosol bottle 1 is pressed down, causing the top finger 212 to gradually contact the ratchet 231 of the transmission wheel 23, and pushing the transmission wheel 23 to rotate clockwise. At this time, the curved surface of the ratchet 231 contacts the anti-reverse support arm 245, causing the anti-reverse support arm 245 to undergo flexible deformation, which can smoothly complete the clockwise rotation. After the device completes one counting action, the aerosol bottle 1, due to its internal elastic structure, will automatically reset to the initial state. At this time, the aerosol bottle sleeve 21 resets synchronously with the aerosol bottle 1.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," indicating orientation or positional relationships, are merely for the convenience of simplifying the description of this invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention. The scope of protection claimed by the appended claims and their equivalents is defined.

Claims

1. An indicator-type counting aerosol driver, comprising: The device includes an aerosol bottle, a counting component, and a driver housing. The counting component is driven by a ratchet and includes an aerosol bottle sleeve, a digital wheel, a transmission wheel, and a counting base. The aerosol bottle sleeve can be fitted onto the aerosol bottle. The transmission wheel has a ratchet-shaped circumference. The back of the driver housing is provided with a display window. The display window is fan-shaped and has an inwardly pointing indicator tip at the edge. The aerosol bottle sleeve is characterized by having multiple snap fingers arranged around its circumference, which engage and fix with the mouth of the aerosol bottle. The aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can move synchronously, and the aerosol bottle sleeve and the aerosol bottle can be disassembled. The counting component does not include an elastic member to support the return motion.

2. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol bottle sleeve is a ring structure that fits onto the counting base. The aerosol bottle sleeve is provided with a guide arm that passes through the counting base and serves as a connector. The end face of the guide arm is set as a right-angled triangular buckle with the acute angle of the triangle pointing outward, so that the guide arm and the counting base cannot be separated after being connected.

3. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aerosol bottle sleeve is provided with a top finger that slopes downwards, and the top finger is matched with the ratchet shape of the transmission wheel.

4. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 2, characterized in that, The counting base is provided with a flexible anti-reverse support arm. The end face of the anti-reverse support arm is triangular and beveled, which meshes with the ratchet of the transmission wheel to restrict the rotation direction of the transmission wheel.

5. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The aerosol bottle sleeve extends downwards with multiple uprights. The height of the uprights is less than the vertical height between the top finger and the guide arm. After the aerosol bottle is pressed down, the bottom surface of the uprights contacts the top circumferential surface of the counting base.

6. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The digital wheel has multiple transmission ratchet teeth arranged circumferentially on its non-digital surface. The transmission wheel is equipped with a transmission block, which contacts the transmission ratchet teeth. When the transmission wheel rotates one revolution, one tooth on the transmission ratchet teeth rotates.

7. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 6, characterized in that, The digital surface of the digital wheel has multiple limiting recesses around its circumference, and the limiting recesses are hemispherical in shape.

8. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 7, characterized in that, The counting base is provided with a limiting flexible column, and the end of the limiting flexible column is provided with a limiting block. The shape of the limiting block matches the shape of the limiting recess.

9. The indicator-type counting aerosol driver according to claim 1, characterized in that, A convex mirror is provided on the counting base, and the convex mirror is located behind the display window to magnify the corresponding part of the number wheel.

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