Dose Counter Actuator with Elastic Tab for Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dose counters for fluid or powder dispenser devices face issues such as interference with device actuation, complex assembly, increased thickness modifying the device's appearance, and manufacturing challenges, leading to potential under- or over-counting and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A dose counter design featuring a first rotary units wheel and a second rotary tens wheel, actuated by a mechanism with a pivot pin, elastically-deformable portions, and resilient return means, allowing for pre-assembly and minimal thickness, ensuring accurate counting independent of actuation stroke length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the counter is fastened on the bottom of the reservoir and projected out from the body, then the counter is easily accessible to the user, but it interferes with the actuation of the dispenser device
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a counter body, a rotary counter element, and a separate actuator member with a tab. This segmentation allows the counter to be actuated independently through the tab engagement with the counter element, preventing interference with the main reservoir actuation while maintaining counting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator member with its tab serves as an intermediary between the reservoir actuation and the counter operation. The tab engages with the rotary counter element to transmit the actuation force, allowing the counter to be activated without requiring direct pressure on the counter body itself, thus avoiding interference with reservoir actuation.
2Reliability
If the counter is disposed inside the body, then the counter does not interfere with actuation, but the mounting becomes complex and requires substantial modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is designed as a separate, modular assembly that can be pre-assembled before integration into the dispenser device. This modular approach simplifies the mounting process by allowing the counter to be installed as a complete unit rather than requiring complex integration of individual components into the body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter mechanism is pre-assembled and prepared before integration into the dispenser device. This preliminary assembly allows for quality control and simplifies the final mounting process, as the counter is already configured with its actuator member and rotary element in place, requiring only attachment to the body rather than complex integration.
3Reliability
If the counter is arranged on an outside face of the body with a projection passing through an opening, then the counter can be actuated effectively, but the thickness modifies the external appearance and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator member with its tab is nested within the counter body structure. The tab extends from the actuator member to engage with the rotary counter element, allowing the entire mechanism to be compact and integrated within the counter assembly rather than protruding externally, thus maintaining a sleek appearance while ensuring reliable actuation.
4Measurement precision
If a complex mechanism is used to ensure accurate counting at the beginning of the actuation stroke, then counting accuracy is improved, but the assembly becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism is designed to automatically initiate counting at the very beginning of the actuation stroke through the engagement of the tab with the rotary counter element. The system self-regulates to ensure accurate counting without requiring complex external control mechanisms, as the mechanical engagement naturally triggers the count at the appropriate moment in the actuation cycle.
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 counter provides accurate dose counting with minimal thickness, simplified assembly, and enhanced reliability, reducing the risk of malfunctions and maintaining functionality across varying actuation strokes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically-deformable portion of shape that is curved and that passes, at least in part, around the pivot pin, said deformable portion being extended by a support portion
Implementation Method 2
resilient return means that return the actuator member into its rest position, after each actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A dose counter for a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element (410) forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element (420) forming a tens wheel, said first counter element (410) co-operating with an actuator member (430) that is adapted to cause said first counter element (410) to turn each time said actuator member (430) is actuated, said first rotary counter element (410) including means (418, 419) that are adapted to cause said second counter element (420) to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member (430), said actuator member (430) including an opening that is mounted in rotary manner on said pivot pin (461), a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear tab (431) extending radially from said opening, said tab (431) co-operating with the first counter element (410) on each actuation, said tab (431) being extended on the other side of said pivot pin by a substantially rigid and substantially rectilinear portion, that is itself connected to an elastically-deformable portion (434) of shape that is curved and that passes, at least in part, around the pivot pin (461).