Inhalator Separate Hinge System for Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalators for powdered medicaments are complex, difficult to clean, and have a short lifespan, making them inconvenient for users and limiting their ability to be personalized or reused.
Innovation Solution
A redesigned inhalator with a separate hinge system for the mouthpiece and outer shell, allowing for easier disassembly and cleaning, and the option to replace the internal hinged unit, enabling reuse and integration with additional devices like treatment recorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common hinge pin is used to hinge the assembly and mouthpiece to the outer shell, then the inhalator structure is compact and integrated, but the device becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hinge system into two separate hinge pins: a first hinge pin for hinging the assembly to the outer shell, and a second hinge pin for hinging the mouthpiece to the outer shell. This segmentation allows the mouthpiece to be detached independently for cleaning without affecting the assembly, thereby reducing cleaning difficulty while maintaining structural integration during use.
2Ease of operation
If the rim of the lower shell part is cut away to allow the actuator button to protrude, then the actuator is accessible, but the shell structure becomes weaker and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the actuator button within the lower shell part such that it is accessible through an opening in the rim, but the rim itself remains complete and intact. The button protrudes through the opening without requiring the rim to be cut away, maintaining the structural strength and integrity of the shell while still providing user accessibility.
3Reliability
If the assembly and mouthpiece are permanently integrated, then the inhalator is robust, but it cannot be cleaned thoroughly or personalized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a detachable connection between the mouthpiece and the assembly through the second hinge pin, allowing the mouthpiece to be removed for cleaning or replacement. This segmentation maintains robustness during normal use while enabling easy disassembly for maintenance and personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connections provide dynamic, reversible attachment between components. The mouthpiece can be hinged open for cleaning or detached entirely, and the assembly can be removed from the outer shell for deep cleaning. This dynamic connection system balances structural robustness with maintenance accessibility.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single hinge system is used for assembly and mouthpiece, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the device cannot be disassembled for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two separate hinge pins instead of a single complex hinge mechanism. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity by using standard, easily fabricated hinge components while enabling the mouthpiece to be detached independently for cleaning purposes.
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 inhalator is more robust, easier to clean, and can be personalized with reusable parts, extending its lifespan and allowing for the integration of additional features like electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the user sucks air through the capsule chamber, entraining the powder from the opened capsule in the airflow out of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An inhalator for the inhalation of powdered drug preparations from capsules which contain the powdered preparations. The inhalator has a mouthpiece or nosepiece and an assembly including: a capsule holder including a capsule chamber, the capsule chamber having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening; a capsule opening device for opening a capsule; a finger-operable actuator. The inhalator further includes a rigid outer shell including a lower shell part hinged to an upper shell part so that the shell is openable and closable, the shell serving to cover and protect the assembly and the mouthpiece or nosepiece. The assembly and the mouthpiece or nosepiece are removable as a hinged unit from the open shell as a hinged unit without dismantling either unit, or the shell is arranged so that the contours of the rim of each shell part match the contours of the rim of the other around each shell part when the shell is in the closed condition, or the assembly is retained in the lower shell part and is not moveable in normal use with respect to the lower shell part.