Curved Display and PCB for Compact Pharmaceutical Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic discharge devices for pharmaceutical liquids are constrained by the size and rigidity of their electronic components, such as printed circuit boards and displays, which limits their compactness and increases their external dimensions, making them cumbersome for user-carried applications like metered-dose inhalers.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a curved electronic circuit with a curved printed circuit board and display, along with a flexible substrate and components, allows for a compact design that maintains the required counting functionality without enlarging the device's housing, using materials like plastic substrates and electrophoretic or electrochromatic display segments, and a thin battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rigid printed circuit board and rigid planar display are used, then the electronic circuit can be implemented with standard components, but the housing size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to both the printed circuit board and the display device, transforming them from rigid planar structures to flexible curved components that conform to the housing shape. This allows the electronic circuit to be implemented while maintaining a compact housing size, as the curved components can be routed along the housing contours rather than requiring additional space for flat mounting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible substrates and thin-film structures for both the printed circuit board and display device. These flexible components can be bent and shaped to match the housing geometry, enabling the electronic circuit to be integrated into the housing without significantly increasing its overall volume. The flexible nature allows the components to conform to curved surfaces, maximizing space utilization.
2Area of stationary object
If a large display surface is provided, then status information can be displayed more effectively, but the housing dimensions must be enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the display from a traditional planar two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional curved surface that wraps around or conforms to the housing shape. This dimensional change allows the display surface area to be increased without proportionally increasing the housing volume, as the display utilizes the available surface area of the curved housing contours.
Solution Approach 2:
By curving the display device to match the housing shape, the patent maximizes the display surface area within the constraints of the housing volume. The curved display can be routed along the housing contours, effectively utilizing the available surface area in a three-dimensional configuration rather than being limited to a flat two-dimensional plane.
3Ease of operation
If the discharge device is designed to be carried by the user, then portability is improved, but the device must be made as small as possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electronic circuit components directly into the housing structure, with the curved printed circuit board and curved display device nested within the housing contours. This nesting approach minimizes the additional space required for electronic components, allowing the housing to maintain a compact size suitable for user portability while still incorporating the necessary electronic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrates and thin-film structures used for the printed circuit board and display device allow these components to be routed through and along the housing contours, maximizing space utilization. This flexibility enables the electronic circuit to be implemented within the existing housing volume without requiring significant enlargement, thus maintaining portability.
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
This design achieves a larger display surface area within the same housing dimensions, reduces internal space usage, and allows for a slim, cost-effective production of discharge devices that meet regulatory requirements while maintaining portability.
Implementation Method 1
The display device (30) has a display area (32) for displaying status information, wherein the display area (32) has a curved shape corresponding to the convexly curved outer shape of the housing (10). The display device (30) comprises a substrate on which display segments (34a, 34b) are provided, which have been applied to it by printing technology or coating technology.
Implementation Method 2
The display segments (34a, 34b) are formed by electrophoretic or electrochromatic materials.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
To achieve a compact design, a dispensing device (10) for pharmaceutical media with a housing (14, 16) which at least partially surrounds a receiving space (12) for receiving a media storage (8), with a dispensing opening (17) provided on the housing (14, 16) for dispensing the medium from the media storage (8) and with an electronic circuit (60) designed to detect dispensing processes, is provided to use a display device (30) with a curved shape, a plurality of circuit boards angled relative to each other and/or a curved circuit board (61).