External Clutch Teeth for Dose Detection in Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in accurately detecting dose delivery due to the internal location of clutch teeth on the dose setting drum, making it difficult for electronic modules to sense movement, and complicating molding tool construction.
Innovation Solution
The drug delivery device features a dose setting drum with clutch teeth on its external surface, allowing for engagement with mating teeth on the dose setting member during dialing and disengagement during delivery, enabling external detection and simplifying molding processes. Additionally, the device includes an electronic module with optical encoders and IR emitters/detectors for precise dose tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clutch teeth are provided on the internal surface of the dose setting drum, then engagement between dose setting member and dose setting drum is achieved, but detection of dose delivery by electronic module becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch teeth are inverted from the conventional internal surface arrangement to an external surface arrangement on the dose setting drum. This inversion allows the electronic module to detect the rotational position and movement of the dose setting drum through the clutch teeth, enabling accurate dose delivery detection while maintaining reliable engagement between the dose setting member and dose setting drum.
2Volume of moving object
If clutch teeth are arranged on internal surface of dose setting drum, then compact design is achieved, but molding tool construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch teeth configuration is inverted from internal to external surface arrangement. This simplifies the molding tool construction as external teeth are easier to form during the molding process, while the overall compact design is maintained through optimized spatial arrangement of the dose setting drum and surrounding components.
3Measurement precision
If clutch teeth are provided on external surface of dose setting drum, then electronic module can detect dose delivery accurately, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch teeth on the external surface of the dose setting drum serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical engagement with the dose setting member for reliable dose selection, enable accurate detection of dose delivery by the electronic module through their rotational position, and maintain a relatively simple overall device structure by utilizing the existing drum geometry without adding separate detection mechanisms.
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 configuration enhances torque resistance, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for accurate and reliable dose detection and recording, improving user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic module with optical encoders and IR emitters/detectors for precise dose tracking
Implementation Method 2
an electronic module with optical encoders and IR emitters/detectors for precise dose tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device for setting and dispensing doses of a liquid drug. The device comprises a housing and a dose setting and drive mechanism with a dose setting member and a dose setting drum. The dose setting and drive mechanism is configured to perform a dose setting operation for selecting a dose to be delivered, and a dose delivery operation for delivering the set dose. The dose setting drum comprises a set of clutch teeth that are engagable with a mating set of teeth on the dose setting member. The clutch teeth and the mating teeth are engaged during a dose setting operation to prevent rotation therebetween and the clutch teeth and the mating teeth are disengaged during a dose delivery operation allowing relative rotation between the dose setting drum and the dose setting member. The clutch teeth are formed on an external surface of the dose setting drum.