Dual-Pivot Hinged Capsule Inhaler with Independent Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inhaling powdery substances from capsules lack optimal accessibility and locking mechanisms, leading to difficulties in opening and inserting new capsules efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing featuring two pivot axes, where the closure cap, mouthpiece, and closing cover are hinged to allow independent pivoting, with the mouthpiece able to pivot freely and the closure cap and closing cover capable of individual pivoting, along with a handle for capsule piercing and a locking mechanism that prioritizes capsule receiver security over mouthpiece security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the closure cap, mouthpiece, and closing cover are hinged together on a single pivot axis, then the device structure is simplified, but the accessibility of parts in the pivoted-open state is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the hinged components into two separate pivot axes: a first pivot axis for the mouthpiece and capsule receiver, and a second pivot axis for the closure cap and closing cover. This segmentation allows independent movement of each component, improving accessibility when opened while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through systematic organization.
2Device complexity
If the closure cap and closing cover are hinged to pivot together, then the locking mechanism is simplified, but the ability to securely lock the capsule receiver during mouthpiece opening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent systems: a first locking mechanism for the capsule receiver that operates independently from a second locking mechanism for the mouthpiece. This allows the capsule receiver to remain securely locked during mouthpiece opening operations, while maintaining overall mechanism simplicity through modular design.
3Ease of operation
If two separate pivot axes are provided for independent pivoting of components, then the accessibility and security are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses two separate pivot axes arranged next to each other on the same side of the capsule receiver, with the first pivot axis closer to the capsule receiver. This segmentation enables independent pivoting of the mouthpiece/capsule receiver assembly and the closure cap/closing cover assembly, improving accessibility and security while controlling complexity through systematic spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure cap and closing cover are hinged together on the second pivot axis, merging their movement into a single rotational operation. This combining reduces the number of independent hinge points needed while maintaining the ability to securely cover both components, balancing complexity reduction with functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for inhaling powdery substances contained in capsules has a housing, a capsule receiver, a closing cover, a mouth piece, and a closure cap. The closure cap is designed to cover simultaneously the mouthpiece, closing cover and capsule receiver, wherein the closure cap, mouthpiece and closing cover are hinged in a pivoting manner. Two pivot axes, which are different but run in the same direction, are formed, which, in respect of a side view in which geometric axes of the pivot axes are represented in the form of points, are arranged next to each other and on a same side of the capsule receiver. In a usage state of the device, the first pivot axis is arranged closer to the capsule receiver. The closing cover and the mouthpiece can be pivoted about the first pivot axis and only the closure cap can be pivoted about the second pivot axis.