Handheld Pharmaceutical Dispenser Counter Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld devices for dispensing pharmaceutical substances have complex designs with multiple parts and inefficient counter mechanisms, lacking a compact and simple solution for counting and actuation.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with a cylindrically designed counter wheel featuring engagement toothing on its lower peripheral edge, a direct drive part attachment to the mounting part, and a return spring integrated as a bow for compact design and efficient counting, allowing the drive and mounting parts to move relative to the engagement part for actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the counter wheel is designed with engagement toothing on the lower peripheral edge, then the drive part can directly actuate the counter wheel for rotation, but the space for mounting and the complexity of the mechanism increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting part and drive part are merged into a single integrated component that can move relative to the engagement part. This integration reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the functional complexity needed for direct actuation of the counter wheel through the engagement toothing on its lower peripheral edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined mounting and drive part serves multiple functions: it mounts the counter wheel, provides the drive mechanism through engagement toothing, and moves relative to the engagement part to enable actuation. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while improving actuation efficiency.
2Productivity
If the drive part and mounting part are jointly moved relative to the engagement part, then the counting process becomes more efficient, but the mechanical complexity and number of moving parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive part and mounting part are combined into a single moving unit that operates relative to the stationary engagement part. This merging reduces the number of moving parts from three separate components (drive part, mounting part, engagement part) to two moving units, thereby improving counting speed while limiting the increase in mechanical complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the counter wheel surface is used for readable characters, then the display area is maximized, but the engagement toothing space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The counter wheel is designed with different local qualities: the lower peripheral edge features engagement toothing for mechanical actuation, while the remaining outer surface toward the top provides a smooth area for readable characters. This local differentiation maximizes the display area while ensuring adequate space for toothing fabrication through optimized radial distribution.
4Volume of moving object
If the return spring is realized as a bow with two end regions fastened on the mounting part, then the compact design is achieved, but the mounting part complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is integrated as a bow structure with its two end regions fastened directly to the mounting part. This merging of the return spring into the mounting part assembly achieves a compact counter mechanism volume while the fastening integration minimizes the increase in mounting part structural complexity.
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
The solution achieves a compact and simple design with efficient counting and actuation, enabling the counter wheel to be rotated by the drive part while maintaining a surface for readable characters and interacting with the receptacle, reducing the number of parts and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring (12), which is arranged underneath the mounting part (3) referred to an actuating direction, for the retrodisplacement after an actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A counter for a handheld device for dispensing a pharmaceutical substance, has a housing, at least one counter wheel which has readable characters, and a drive part which is designed to rotate the counter wheel, the counter wheel being rotatably attached to a mounting part. The mounting part of the counter is designed independently of the housing, and the drive part is directly attached to the mounting part. The counter can have at least one counter wheel which has readable characters and a drive part which is designed to rotate the counter wheel. The counter wheel has readable characters and is designed in a cylindrical manner and with a central axis, and has a drive part which is designed to rotate the counter wheel, the counter wheel being provided with an engagement toothing via which the drive part acts on the counter wheel so as to rotate same, the drive part having a rotational axis.