Dose Counter With Offset Pivot Pins For Dispenser Actuation
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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 requirements, and increased thickness, leading to potential over- or under-counting and faulty dispensing, as well as increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A dose counter design featuring a first rotary units wheel and a second rotary tens wheel, with an intermediate element, all turning about common and offset pivot pins, allowing for independent actuation and pre-assembly, minimizing thickness and assembly complexity, and ensuring accurate counting regardless of actuation stroke length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the counter is fastened on the bottom of the reservoir projecting out from the body, then the counter can be easily mounted, but it interferes with the actuation of the dispenser device and requires the user to press on the counter to actuate the device
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is extracted from the reservoir bottom mounting and repositioned to the body exterior, separating the counting function from the actuation mechanism. This allows the counter to be mounted on the body without interfering with reservoir actuation, as the counter is now positioned on the external surface of the body rather than on the reservoir bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate element (projection or arm) is introduced to connect the counter to the body or reservoir. This intermediary component allows the counter to be positioned on the body exterior while still being actuated by the reservoir movement, eliminating the need for direct user pressure on the counter itself.
2Ease of operation
If the counter is disposed inside the body fastened to the body or movable reservoir, then the counter does not interfere with actuation, but the mounting becomes complex and requires substantial modifications to component parts
Solution Approach 1:
The counter assembly is segmented into modular components that can be pre-assembled separately from the main dispenser device. The counter unit with its actuator element can be manufactured as a separate module and then integrated into the body, reducing the complexity of internal mounting and allowing for simpler assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter and its actuator element are pre-assembled and prepared before integration into the dispenser device. This preliminary assembly allows the counter to be ready for installation without requiring complex on-site assembly operations, and the actuator element can be pre-configured to properly engage with the reservoir actuation mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the counter is arranged on an outside face of the body with a projection passing through an opening in the body, then the counter can be mounted externally, but it requires substantial modification to the body and modifies the external appearance and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mounting is localized to a specific region of the body rather than requiring modification of the entire body structure. The projection or arm is positioned at a localized area where it can engage the counter without requiring substantial modifications to the main body structure, thereby preserving the overall external appearance and handling characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter is nested within or integrated with the body structure through the projection or arm mechanism, allowing the counter to be positioned externally while maintaining a compact integration. This nesting approach minimizes the visual impact and handling changes compared to a fully external mounted counter.
4Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to provide counting that is functional and safe, then accurate counting can be achieved, but the assembly becomes complex, costly, and a source of malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the interaction between the actuator element and the counter elements. The reservoir actuation automatically drives the counter through the projection or arm mechanism without requiring additional complex control systems, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining counting accuracy and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A dose counter for counting the number of doses of fluid or powder that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser device, said counter including a first rotary counter element (110) forming a units wheel, and a second rotary counter element (120) forming a tens wheel, said first and second counter elements co-operating with each other to define and to display, in a viewing window, said number of doses, said first counter element co-operating with an actuator member (130) that is adapted to cause said first counter element to turn each time said actuator member is actuated, said counter including an intermediate rotary element (140) that is adapted to cause said second counter element to turn on every tenth actuation of said actuator member, said first and second counter elements turning about a common first pivot pin (161), and said intermediate element turning about a second pivot pin (162) that is offset and parallel to said first pivot pin.