Inhalation Dose Counter Friction Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices face challenges with dose counters that are not securely fixed to the canister, leading to miscounting due to variable canister length tolerances and difficulties in cleaning and damage from water and cleaning products, which can result in over or undercounting of medicament doses.
Innovation Solution
A dose counter securely attached to the base of the canister with enhanced frictional contact surfaces, such as roughened areas or deformable ribs, to ensure accurate counting by controlling the length tolerance and maintaining alignment with the actuator body, preventing miscounting and ensuring reliable dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the counter is not securely fixed to the canister, then the device is easier to manufacture and clean, but miscounting occurs due to variable canister length tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is pre-positioned and secured to the canister base during assembly using frictional contact surfaces. This preliminary securing action ensures that the counter maintains a fixed position relative to the canister throughout operation, eliminating miscounting caused by variable canister length tolerances while still allowing for relatively simple assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface friction parameter by providing frictional contact surfaces (roughened areas or deformable ribs) at the interface between the counter and canister base. This parameter change increases the securing force between components, preventing relative movement that would cause counting errors while maintaining ease of assembly through controlled friction
2Measurement precision
If the counter is securely attached to the canister with enhanced frictional contact surfaces, then counting accuracy is improved, but the device becomes more difficult to clean and more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The frictional contact surfaces (roughened areas or deformable ribs) are applied locally only at the specific interface between the counter and canister base where securing is needed. This localized application provides the necessary securing force while minimizing the overall surface area affected, making the device easier to clean and less vulnerable to damage from water and cleaning products compared to universal surface treatments
3Productivity
If the counter measures displacement of the canister, then dose tracking is enabled, but miscounting occurs when canister length varies due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The counter is pre-secured to the canister base at a fixed position before the inhalation device is assembled. This preliminary positioning ensures that the counter measures displacement from a consistent reference point regardless of canister length variations, enabling accurate dose tracking even when canister lengths vary due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a fixed geometric reference (the secured counter position) that copies or replicates the same measurement starting point across all canisters regardless of their individual length variations. This reference copying ensures consistent displacement measurement and accurate dose counting across production batches
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 secure attachment of the counter to the canister reduces miscounting errors, enhances visibility, and improves durability, ensuring accurate tracking of remaining doses and preventing unnecessary repeat prescriptions or premature replacement.
Implementation Method 1
enhanced frictional contact surfaces, such as roughened areas or deformable ribs
Data Source
AI summary
An inhalation device for delivering doses of medicament to a user comprising: —a canister (5), said canister being adapted to accommodate the medicament to be dispensed to a user, and —a counter (15) which is connected to the canister (5). According to the invention —the canister (5) is adapted to receive the counter (15) on a base end (6a), —the counter and/or the canister further having contact parts (18, 20) for their attachment having means for increasing the friction and thereby allowing the counter to fixedly be attached onto the canister in a range of different positions in the lengthwise direction, —the counter further being adapted to during the process to assemble the counter to the canister, be urged onto the canister until the length of the counter and canister together is within a predefined tolerance of a predefined length.