Electrostatic Rotary Encoder for Automated Drug Dosage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug injection pens lack accurate and automated dosage tracking functionality, requiring manual recording of volume, date, and time, and are often either disposable or expensive reusable devices.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic rotary encoder system that tracks the rotational motion of the drug delivery mechanism using an electret unit and electrostatic field sensor, allowing for precise recording of dispensed dosages without the need for manual measurement, and is applicable to any device requiring low-power rotary encoder functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual recording of dosage information is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of dosage tracking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical recording with an automated electrostatic rotary encoder system that uses electret units and electrostatic field sensors to detect rotational position and convert it into digital dosage information, eliminating the need for manual writing while maintaining low device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder system automatically tracks and records dosage information without user intervention. The electret unit and electrostatic field sensor work together to self-measure rotational position and generate dosage data, making the system self-sufficient for dosage tracking
2Measurement precision
If electrostatic field sensor is used to detect electret unit position, then measurement precision improves, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic field sensor operates by periodically sampling the electrostatic field as the electret unit rotates, rather than continuously monitoring. This periodic detection method maintains high measurement precision while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrostatic field detection instead of mechanical contact sensors, eliminating friction and mechanical wear while consuming minimal electrical energy. The electret unit creates a passive electrostatic field that the sensor detects without requiring continuous power to the sensed component
3Measurement precision
If multiple tracks are used for quadrature encoding, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quadrature encoding by creating two orthogonal (90-degree phase difference) electrostatic field patterns, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the spatial encoding. This allows high-resolution angular position measurement through phase comparison of two simpler tracks rather than requiring complex multi-dimensional structures
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
Enables accurate and automated tracking of drug administration, reducing user burden and improving the functionality of drug injection pens by converting linear motion into encoded rotational data for precise dosage recording.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic field sensor (315) disposed adjacent to the electret unit (320) and configured to detect a position of the electret unit (320) relative to the electrostatic field sensor (315)
Implementation Method 2
converting linear motion into encoded rotational data for precise dosage recording
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A rotary encoder includes an electret unit, an electrostatic field sensor, and a controller. The electret unit generates an electrostatic field. The electrostatic field sensor is disposed proximate to the electret unit to sense a modulation of the electrostatic field that varies with rotation of one or more rotary components of the rotary encoder about a rotation axis of the rotary encoder. The controller is electrically coupled to the electrostatic field sensor to track activations of the electrostatic field sensor as the one or more rotary components rotate. The controller is configured to digitally encode a rotational position of the one or more rotary components based upon the activations.