Drug Delivery Drive Assembly Decelerating Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pen-type drug delivery devices lack a mechanism to effectively control the dispensing speed of medication, which can affect dosing accuracy and user comfort during injection.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly with a decelerating mechanism that includes a decelerating element and a drive element, where the decelerating element is fixed with respect to the housing and rubs against the drive element during dispensing, allowing users to control the dispensing speed by adjusting the actuator depression, thereby decelerating the piston rod's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a brake mechanism is added to control dispensing speed, then user comfort and dosing accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decelerating element is integrated into the existing drive mechanism components. The decelerating element is fixed with respect to the housing and works in conjunction with the drive element that is already present in the system, merging the braking function with the existing drive structure rather than adding a completely separate brake mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive element serves multiple functions: it drives the piston rod during dispensing and simultaneously interacts with the decelerating element to provide speed control. This multi-functional design allows the same component to serve both propulsion and braking purposes, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a decelerating mechanism is added to control dispensing speed, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decelerating mechanism is combined with the existing drive elements. The decelerating element is fixed to the housing and works in conjunction with the drive element, merging the deceleration function with the existing drive structure to achieve dosing accuracy without substantially increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the drive element rotates faster to deliver the dose quicker, then productivity is improved, but dosing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism provides dynamic speed control during the dispensing process. The decelerating element is configured to decelerate the drive element during the injection of the dose, allowing the system to adapt its speed characteristics during operation to maintain accuracy while achieving complete dose delivery.
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 solution enhances dosing accuracy by allowing users to control the dispensing speed, ensuring a comfortable injection experience and optimizing the transfer of stored elastic energy, reducing the time needed to complete a dose.
Implementation Method 1
the decelerating element and the drive element rub against each other during the dispense of a dose
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly for a drug delivery device is provided, including a piston rod which is moveable in a distal direction in order to deliver a dose of medication, and including a drive element which is configured to cause a movement of the piston rod. The drive assembly further includes a decelerating mechanism which is configured to decelerate the movement of the drive element such that the movement of the piston rod is decelerated during the dispense of a dose. The decelerating mechanism includes a decelerating element which is fixed with respect to a housing of the drug delivery device at least during the dispense of a dose and the drive element, wherein the drive element is configured to rotate with respect to the housing during the dispense of a dose, and wherein the decelerating element and the drive element rub against each other during the dispense of a dose.