Sensor unit for application to a liquid dispenser and liquid dispenser comprising such a sensor unit

Abstract

Sensor unit (10) for attachment to a liquid dispenser (100), wherein the sensor unit (10) is designed for interchangeable attachment to the base section (104) of a liquid reservoir (102). The sensor unit (10) has an annular wall structure (12) that surrounds a receiving chamber (16) for receiving the base section (104) of the liquid reservoir (102), the receiving chamber being closed at the bottom by a receiving chamber base (14). The sensor unit (10) has at least one sensor (23, 24, 25) for detecting the handling of the liquid dispenser (100). Various options are proposed for fastening the liquid storage unit in the sensor unit, in particular one option in which at least one inwardly pointing and radially displaceable clamping surface (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) is provided on the inside of the annular wall structure (12) for securing attachment to a shell surface (106) of the liquid storage unit (102).

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor unit for attachment to a liquid dispenser and to a liquid dispenser with such a sensor unit.

[0002] A sensor unit according to the invention is a separately handleable unit designed for coupling to a liquid dispenser and comprising at least one sensor suitable for detecting the handling of the liquid dispenser. Such a sensor can, for example, be designed as a motion sensor that detects the movement of the liquid dispenser, or as a force or pressure sensor that detects the actuation of the dispenser for the purpose of dispensing liquid.

[0003] The sensor unit is designed for detachable mounting on the base of a liquid reservoir. This allows the sensor unit to be used sequentially or alternately on different liquid reservoirs of different dispensers. When a liquid reservoir is empty, the sensor unit can be detached, the reservoir or the entire dispenser (including the reservoir) can be replaced, and the sensor unit can be attached to a new liquid reservoir.

[0004] Sensor units for mounting on the liquid storage tank are known, for example, from documents US 2018 / 0353327 A1, US 2016 / 0220180 A1, and US 2015 / 0173945 A1. Document US 2018 / 0353327 A1 proposes a connecting ring for attaching the liquid storage tank to the sensor unit. This ring is attached to the liquid storage tank, and the sensor unit can then be attached to the ring, for example, magnetically or by means of mechanical fasteners. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative sensor unit that enables the aforementioned exchange of the liquid reservoir in a reliable manner. A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid dispenser with such a sensor unit.

[0006] According to the invention, a sensor unit of the generic type is proposed, which is intended for attachment to the base section of a liquid reservoir. This sensor unit has at least one sensor that is suitable for detecting the handling of the liquid dispenser, in particular its movement and / or its activation.

[0007] A sensor unit according to the invention has an annular wall structure that surrounds a receiving chamber, closed at the bottom by a receiving chamber floor, for receiving the bottom section of the liquid storage medium. The receiving chamber is preferably substantially rotationally symmetrical and further preferably designed to receive liquid storage mediums with a circular cylindrical surface. The wall structure can be completely closed. However, it can also have interruptions or be formed by a plurality of wall segments.

[0008] The receiving chamber is open at the top and serves to allow the bottom section of the liquid reservoir to be inserted from this open end. The liquid reservoir is detachably coupled to the sensor unit within the receiving chamber.

[0009] According to the invention, the following design is proposed to ensure the most secure possible attachment of the sensor unit to the liquid reservoir.

[0010] According to the invention, a circumferential seal is provided on the inside of the ring-shaped wall structure, which is designed to be in contact with a shell surface of the liquid storage tank and which, together with the shell surface and the bottom section of the liquid storage tank, defines an isolated pressure chamber.

[0011] The sensor unit is designed such that, together with the fluid reservoir, it forms a pressure chamber that is at least temporarily isolated. This pressure chamber holds the fluid reservoir in place by creating or increasing a vacuum when the reservoir is withdrawn, thus making removal more difficult. In the simplest case, the sensor unit is equipped with a sealing lip that isolates the pressure chamber when the fluid reservoir is inserted, but at least partially dissipates the resulting overpressure by briefly separating the sealing lip from the outer surface. This ensures that subsequent withdrawal creates the described vacuum.

[0012] One possible additional measure involves the pressure chamber having a volumetrically variable sub-chamber, the volume of which can be manually changed using a switching element. This allows the liquid reservoir to be inserted when the volume of the sub-chamber is at its minimum, and then, after insertion, the volume of the sub-chamber can be increased, thereby raising the vacuum.

[0013] Another possibility for further developing the sensor unit according to the invention is to provide a pressure equalization channel that connects the pressure chamber to an environment, wherein a manually switchable valve is also provided by means of which the pressure equalization channel can be closed, so that the pressure chamber is thereby isolated.

[0014] This allows the pressure chamber, defined by the sensor unit and the outer surface of the fluid reservoir, to be connected to the environment during insertion of the reservoir, thus preventing or minimizing overpressure. Once the fluid reservoir is inserted, the valve closes, isolating the pressure chamber and creating a vacuum that counteracts any pulling force on the reservoir. To replace the fluid reservoir, the valve is opened, and the reservoir can be easily removed while the pressure is equalized. The valve is preferably held in the closed position by a spring force and opened manually. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1A und 1B show the basic structure of a sensor unit according to the invention. Fig. 2A bis 2D demonstrates the intended use of the sensor unit as part of a liquid dispenser with a sensor unit. Fig. 3A bis 3C show a sensor unit according to the invention, in which a pressure chamber of the sensor unit can be connected to the environment via a pressure equalization channel. Fig. 4A bis 4C show a sensor unit according to the invention, in which the pressure chamber has a volumetrically variable subchamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0016] The Fig. 1A und 1B Figure 1 shows a sensor unit 10 according to the invention, which is intended to be attached to the bottom section 104 of the liquid reservoir 102 of a liquid dispenser 100. Fig. 1A und 1B as the following Fig. 2A bis 2D These figures primarily serve to illustrate the basic functionality. The respective fixing means for securing the base section 104 of the liquid reservoir 102 are shown in the subsequent figures.

[0017] The basic design of a sensor unit 10 according to the invention is as follows: Fig. 1A The invention envisages that the sensor unit 10 has an approximately cup-shaped structure with a receiving chamber floor 14 and a surrounding wall structure 12. Although the wall structure 12 is depicted as a continuous wall structure in the exemplary embodiments, designs are also possible in which interruptions are provided in the wall structure. For example, three elements, each extending over 90° and spaced apart from one another, can also form a wall structure within the meaning of the invention.

[0018] As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1B As illustrated, a sensor unit 10 according to the invention comprises electronic components that serve to detect the handling of the liquid dispenser 100. Examples are shown in Fig. 1B A circuit board 20, on which a battery 21, a microprocessor 22, sensors 23 to 25, a radio communication module 26 and a status LED 27 are provided. These electronic components are arranged in a base area of ​​the sensor unit 10, which is bounded externally by a housing 18.

[0019] The electronic components allow the acquisition of sensor data in order to record characteristic sensor data and sensor data trends related to the handling and / or operation of the liquid dispenser. In this case, these sensors include, for example, a motion sensor 23, which can detect the position and acceleration of the sensor unit 10; an acoustic sensor 24, which can detect noises associated with operation or handling; and a temperature sensor 25, which can be used, for example, to detect a temperature increase associated with grasping the dispenser. The microprocessor 22 processes the sensor data, whereby, in the simplest case, this processing can be limited to wireless transmission via the communication device 26, for example, transmission to a user's smartphone or to an evaluation server.In other configurations, it is also conceivable that the microprocessor 22 itself performs the evaluation of the data without requiring communication with an external system.

[0020] Collecting data on handling can serve various purposes. In particular, it can be used to identify usage patterns and to verify correct handling by the user.

[0021] For example, it is possible to monitor whether a patient is taking medication according to the medication plan. This can be particularly useful for achieving high data quality in clinical studies. It is also possible to use a sensor unit 10 of the type described to implement a counter, allowing the user to estimate how many applications are still possible with the liquid in the liquid reservoir 102. When designed as a counter, it is advantageous to include a display device in addition to the described electronic components.

[0022] The Fig. 2A bis 2D illustrate the intended use of a sensor unit 10. Within the scope of this use, as described in Fig. 2A As shown, a liquid dispenser 100 with the base section 104 of its liquid reservoir 102 is inserted into the receiving chamber 16 of the sensor unit 10, where a secure hold is ensured by means of the means described below. In some of the embodiments described below, the sensor unit is provided that it can be manually switched between a clamping and a non-clamping state. In such cases, the liquid reservoir 102 is inserted after the non-clamping state has first been established. Subsequently, the sensor unit 10 is then switched to the clamping state. In other embodiments, the insertion occurs without prior preparation of the sensor unit 10, for example, by deflecting elastically displaceable elements during insertion, which then exert a clamping force on the inserted liquid reservoir 102.

[0023] In the coupled state, which is in Fig. 2B As shown, the medication dispenser can be used as intended, whereby the sensor unit is always moved along with the liquid reservoir due to its attachment. The use of the Liquid Dispenser 100 is an example of a dropper dispenser in Fig. 2C This illustrates the point. In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir 102 is designed as a squeeze bottle. When the surface 106 of the liquid reservoir 102 is subjected to force on both sides in the illustrated upside-down position of the liquid dispenser 100 with the attached sensor unit 10, this can cause a droplet discharge.

[0024] Once the liquid reservoir 102 is empty, the liquid dispenser 100 is detached as a whole from the sensor unit 10, as shown in Fig. 2D As illustrated, provided sufficient force is applied, removing the fluid reservoir 102 from the sensor unit 10 is straightforward, depending on the design, after first moving the sensor unit into the unclamped state. The aim is that, in sensor units according to the invention, the pulling force required to remove the fluid reservoir 102 from the fixed or clamped state is more than 5 Newtons, so that unintentional separation is not usually to be expected.

[0025] After removing the empty liquid reservoir, the sensor unit 10 can be attached to a new liquid dispenser 100.

[0026] The electronic components are specifically designed to detect changes in the position of the liquid dispenser 100 in connection with dispensing. Thus, the Fig. 2C It is clearly evident that the dispenser assumes a characteristic position when used for dispensing. This position, and any movements leading up to or following it, can be detected and interpreted as an indication of dispensing. The sensor unit 10 can have sensors or be connected to additional sensors to detect activation or the dispensing itself, for example, using the described acoustic sensor 24 or a sensor module physically separate from the sensor unit 10 for detecting droplets in the area of ​​the dispensing opening 112. However, for many applications, it is sufficient to analyze only the movement sequence of the liquid dispenser 100 with the attached sensor unit 10 to reliably detect a dispensing process.

[0027] In the design according to the Fig. 3A bis 3C The receiving chamber 16 is provided with a circumferential sealing element 90 on the inside of the wall structure 12. This sealing element 90 ensures that the majority of the receiving chamber 16 forms a pressure chamber 92 isolated from the environment when the liquid reservoir 102 is inserted. If ambient pressure prevails in the pressure chamber 92, a negative pressure forms here when the liquid reservoir 102 is unintentionally removed, which counteracts the removal of the liquid reservoir 102.

[0028] Additionally, the design must comply with the Fig. 3A bis 3 A pressure equalization channel 94 is provided, which can be closed by a valve 96 and is normally closed due to spring force. However, the pressure equalization channel 94 can be opened by pressing a button 97. In this open state, the liquid reservoir 102 can then be inserted without creating overpressure in the pressure chamber 92. Once the liquid reservoir 102 is fully inserted, the valve 96 closes, and the liquid reservoir is securely held in place. In addition to the negative pressure that forms in the pressure chamber 92 when the liquid reservoir is withdrawn, the sealing element 90 itself also makes it more difficult to remove the liquid reservoir 102.

[0029] The design of the Fig. 4A bis 4CThe design again provides that a sealing element 90 creates a pressure chamber 92 isolated from the environment after the liquid reservoir 102 is inserted. The special feature here is that, in addition to the pressure chamber 92 already described in the previous example, an additional sub-chamber 92B is provided, the volume of which can be changed via a piston switching element 98. If this switching element is pressed in by means of a button 99 when the liquid reservoir is inserted, the volume of sub-chamber 92B is small. If the button 99 is released after the liquid reservoir has been inserted, sub-chamber 92B expands and the pressure in the pressure chamber 92 decreases, thus making it even more difficult to remove the liquid reservoir 102.

Claims

1. Sensor unit (10) for attachment to a liquid dispenser (100), with the following features: a. the sensor unit (10) is provided for exchangeable attachment to the bottom portion (104) of a liquid store (102), and b. the sensor unit (10) has an annular wall structure (12) which surrounds a receiving space (16), closed on the bottom side by a receiving space floor (14), for receiving the bottom portion (104) of the liquid store (102), and c. the sensor unit (10) has at least one sensor (23, 24, 25) for detecting the handling of the liquid dispenser (100), characterized by the following feature: d. on the inside of the annular wall structure (12), a circumferential seal (90) is provided for bearing against a casing surface (106) of the liquid store (102) and, together with the casing surface (106) and the bottom portion (104) of the liquid store (102), forms an isolated pressure chamber (92).

2. Sensor unit (10) according to Claim 1 with the following additional features: a. the pressure chamber (92) has a part chamber (92B) with variable volume, and b. a switch element (98) is provided for manually changing the volume of the part chamber (92B).

3. Sensor unit (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 with the following additional features: a. a pressure-balancing channel (94) is provided which connects the pressure chamber (92) to an environment, and b. a manually switchable valve (96) is provided, by means of which the pressure-balancing channel (94) can be closed so that the pressure chamber (92) is thereby isolated from the environment.

4. Sensor unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims with at least one of the following additional features: a. the sensor unit (10) has at least one sensor (23, 24, 25), preferably a movement sensor (23), a position sensor (23), an acceleration sensor (23), an acoustic sensor (24), a temperature sensor (25), an optical sensor, a force sensor and / or a pressure sensor, and / or b. the sensor unit (10) has a radio communication module (26), and / or c. the sensor unit has a processor (23) and a memory which is connected to the processor or integrated in the processor and contains the program code for execution by the processor.

5. Liquid dispenser (100) with the following features: a. the liquid dispenser (100) has a liquid store (102) and a delivery head (110) attached thereto with a delivery opening (112) for discharge of liquid, and b. the liquid dispenser (100) has a sensor unit (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is attached to a bottom portion (104) of the liquid store (102) opposite the delivery head (110).

6. Liquid dispenser according to Claim 5 with at least one of the following additional features: a. the liquid store (102) is formed by a squeeze bottle, and / or b. the liquid dispenser (100) is formed as a spray dispenser or as a drop dispenser, and / or c. the liquid store (102) is filled with a pharmaceutical liquid.

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