Autoinjector Click Arm for Audible End-of-Dose Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autoinjectors lack clear communication of the end of dose to the user, leading to uncertainty after use, and are often complex, costly, and environmentally impactful due to their disposable nature.
Innovation Solution
An autoinjector design featuring a click arm that generates an audible end-of-dose feedback between the drive chassis and housing, using a simple mechanism with fewer components, minimizing complexity and material usage, and allowing for a compact and cost-effective construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a click arm mechanism is added to provide audible end of dose feedback, then user communication of end of dose is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The click arm is integrated into the existing drive chassis structure, merging the feedback function with the drive mechanism. The click arm serves dual purposes: it is part of the drive system and simultaneously provides the audible feedback function, eliminating the need for a separate feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive chassis itself generates the audible feedback through its own movement and interaction with the housing. The click arm, being part of the drive chassis, utilizes the existing mechanical motion to produce the click sound, requiring no additional actuation system or external energy source.
2Reliability
If more components are used to ensure reliable end of dose feedback, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The click arm serves multiple functions: it is a structural component of the drive chassis, a mechanical linkage for dose delivery, and an audible feedback element. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable feedback through the integrated design.
3Loss of substance
If the autoinjector is designed to be compact to reduce material usage and cost, then environmental impact is reduced, but space for additional components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the click arm into the drive chassis and using existing structural elements for feedback generation, the design avoids adding significant volume. The click arm utilizes the same material and spatial envelope as the drive mechanism, ensuring minimal increase in overall device size while maintaining the audible feedback function.
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 design provides reliable audible feedback indicating the end of dose, reduces the autoinjector's size and cost, and minimizes environmental impact by using fewer parts and materials, facilitating easier assembly and reducing storage and transport volume.
Implementation Method 1
the audible click can be brought about by at least one of a contact between two features and an acceleration of a feature of the audible end of dose feedback member relative to one another
Implementation Method 2
The audible click can be generated by a directed relaxation of the radially inwardly deflected part of the drive chassis
Data Source
AI summary
An autoinjector includes a housing, a prefilled syringe mounted in the housing, a drive chassis mounted in the housing, the drive chassis being biased with respect to the housing, the drive chassis further being fixed with respect to the housing and for a movement relative to the housing in a storage state of the autoinjector, the drive chassis moving relative to the housing on dispensing a material from the pre-filled syringe, and wherein the autoinjector is configured to generate an audible end of dose feedback between the drive chassis and the housing as the autoinjector approaches an end of dispense.