Gravity-Driven Stop Member for Medication Delivery Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medication delivery devices require a cost-effective and easy method for resetting the drive assembly when a new cartridge is inserted, especially for users with impaired dexterity, to prevent damage and ensure safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly that is switchable between operational and resetting states, where the stop member disengages from the drive member due to gravity, allowing for simple and effective separation without additional components, enabling free rotation and easy reset without inhibiting the drive member's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stop member is held in engagement with the drive member during operational state, then the drive member is constrained to rotate in only one direction for medication delivery, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is designed to automatically engage with the drive member during operational state and automatically disengage during resetting state through gravity-driven rotation, eliminating the need for additional actuators, sensors, or control mechanisms. The weight of the stop member itself provides the necessary force for engagement and disengagement, making the system self-regulating and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member transitions between two dynamic states: engaged with the drive member during medication delivery (operational state) and disengaged during resetting (resetting state). This dynamic behavior is achieved through gravity-driven rotation of the drive member, which automatically changes the relative position between the stop member and drive member, enabling state transition without additional control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If additional components are added to enable separation of the stop member and drive member for resetting, then the resetting function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the weight of the stop member itself to provide the separating force during resetting. When the drive member rotates in the resetting direction, gravity causes the stop member to disengage from the drive member automatically, enabling resetting without additional actuators, motors, or control systems. The stop member's own weight becomes the active element for achieving separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the active force for separation from external power sources or control mechanisms and identifies it within the system itself - specifically, the gravitational force acting on the stop member. This eliminates the need for additional components that would otherwise be required to provide the separating force.
3Reliability
If the drive member is constrained during operational state, then unidirectional rotation is achieved for safe medication delivery, but the ease of operation for resetting is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint on the drive member is dynamic rather than static. During operational state, the stop member engages with the drive member to prevent rotation in the wrong direction. During resetting state, gravity causes the stop member to disengage, allowing free rotation in both directions. This dynamic constraint ensures safety during medication delivery while enabling ease of operation during resetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive member itself provides the mechanism for its own constraint and release. The weight of the stop member creates a self-regulating system where the drive member's rotation automatically engages or disengages the constraint, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms that would complicate the resetting operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If gravity-driven separation is used for resetting, then additional components are eliminated reducing cost, but the reliability may be affected by dependence on gravitational force
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the stop member's own weight as the active element for achieving separation, eliminating the need for external power sources, actuators, or control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through passive, physics-based operation that is inherently reliable and requires no additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of gravity-dependent operation into a benefit by designing the stop member's weight and position to automatically provide the necessary separating force during resetting. The gravitational force, which could be seen as an unreliable external dependency, becomes a built-in, passive actuator that ensures resetting occurs without additional components.
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
Facilitates a cost-effective and user-friendly reset process for medication delivery devices, ensuring safe operation and ease of use, particularly for those with impaired dexterity, by allowing gravity-driven separation of components, thus enabling the reuse of the assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the stop member is enabled to disengage from the drive member caused by gravity due to the weight of the stop member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A drive assembly (3) for a medication delivery device (1) is provided which is switchable from an operational state to a resetting state and which comprises: -a housing (13) having a proximal end (8) and a distal end (15), -a drive member (20) adapted to be rotated with respect to the housing (13), and -a stop member (26) adapted to prevent rotational movement of the drive member (20) in a first direction with respect to the housing (13) and to permit rotational movement of the drive member (20) in a second direction with respect to the housing (13), the second direction being opposite to the first direction. In the operational state of the drive assembly (3) the stop member (26) is held in engagement with the drive member (20), and for switching into the resetting state of the drive assembly (3) the stop member (26) is enabled to disengage from the drive member (20) caused by gravity due to the weight of the stop member (26). Moreover, in the operational state of the drive assembly (3) the drive member (20) may beheld in engagement with a rotation member (21), and for switching into the resetting state of the drive assembly (3) the drive member (20) may be enabled to disengage from the rotation member (21) caused by gravity due to the weight of the drive member (20).