Capsule Snap Connection for Inhalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule designs for medicine, particularly those used in inhalation apparatuses, face challenges with secure closure and risk of disconnection during handling and use, often requiring additional seals to prevent separation under adhesion forces when pierced by needles.
Innovation Solution
A tube-shaped capsule assembly featuring a recess on the basic body and fixating bulges on the cap, where the fixating bulge's inner diameter is smaller than the recess's outer diameter, creating a permanent deformation and strong snap connection, eliminating the need for external seals by ensuring the cap and body are securely fixed through a fixed snap connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction-based retention between axial ridges and basic body surface is used, then the capsule can be easily assembled and disassembled for filling, but the connection strength is insufficient under vacuum forces during the filling process
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple functional elements: axial ridges for initial friction-based engagement, circumferential ridges for form closure, and fixating bulges with recesses for permanent mechanical interlocking. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function in sequence during assembly and filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial ridges provide preliminary friction-based retention that enables easy assembly and disassembly during the filling process. This preliminary action facilitates the filling operation before the final fixed connection is established through the fixating bulges and recesses.
2Reliability
If circumferential ridges with form closure are used, then total closure preventing separation under normal circumstances is achieved, but the capsule cannot be easily opened for filling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple stages: initial friction-based retention from axial ridges, intermediate form closure from circumferential ridges, and final fixed connection from fixating bulges. This segmentation allows the capsule to be easily opened for filling by reversing the assembly sequence, while maintaining reliable total closure when fully assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a dynamic state during assembly and filling operations to a static fixed state during storage and use. The fixating bulges and recesses create a permanent mechanical interlock that maintains total closure reliability while allowing controlled opening when needed for filling.
3Reliability
If additional seals are added to prevent disconnection during needle piercing, then connection reliability under adhesion forces is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separate sealing components are extracted and replaced by an integrated fixating mechanism consisting of fixating bulges on the cap and corresponding recesses on the basic body. This integrated design provides reliable connection under adhesion forces during needle piercing without requiring additional seal elements, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system uses composite structural features combining rigid fixating bulges for mechanical interlocking and elastic deformation capability in the recesses to accommodate the bulges during assembly. This composite approach provides reliable connection under various forces including adhesion forces during needle piercing, without requiring separate sealing materials.
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 assembly provides a robust and secure closure that prevents disconnection during handling and use in inhalation apparatuses, reducing manufacturing steps and costs by eliminating the need for additional sealing methods, while ensuring reliable operation without risk of capsule parts moving apart.
Implementation Method 1
the fixating bulge's inner diameter is smaller than the recess's outer diameter, creating a permanent deformation and strong snap connection
Implementation Method 2
the cap is retained under the influence of friction between the axial ridges of the cap and the outer surface of the basic body
Implementation Method 3
the basic body and the cap are being pressed apart somewhat, in a radial direction, until the circumferential ridges are entirely located in the circumferential area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An assembly of a tube-shaped basic body (10) and a tube-shaped cap (20), which are open at one distal side (12, 22), is provided to manufacture a capsule for enclosing a medicine. At least one recess (13) is arranged in an outer surface of the basic body (10), wherein at least one fixating bulge (23) is arranged in an inner surface of the cap (20), which is destined to be snugly received in the recess (13) in the outer surface of the basic body (10) in order to realize a fixed snap connection between the basic body (10) and the cap (20). A smallest inner diameter of the fixating bulge (23) of the cap (20) is equal to or smaller than a smallest outer diameter of the recess (13) in the basic body (10), which contributes to realizing a fixed snap connection which is firm to such an extent that the capsule is suitable for application in an inhalation apparatus comprising means for piercing the capsule at at least one place.