Inhaler Article Holder Assembly for Stable Capsule Piercing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dry powder inhalers face challenges in providing uniform and predictable dry powder delivery due to difficulties in forming a reliable aperture in the capsule, often resulting in non-uniform shaped apertures and unpredictable delivery, especially when the piercing element strikes the capsule at different locations.
Innovation Solution
The inhaler article holder employs a single offset piercing element oriented relative to the inhaler device's longitudinal axis, using a jig to ensure precise placement and orientation, which forms a stable open aperture by cutting on the capsule hemispherical endcap, facilitating uniform dosing over multiple inhalations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piercing element is used to activate the capsule, then the capsule can be opened for powder delivery, but the aperture tends to reclose and the piercing location varies leading to non-uniform delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element is deliberately offset from the longitudinal axis of the inhaler device and capsule cavity, creating an asymmetric configuration. This offset positioning ensures the piercing element strikes the capsule at a consistent, predetermined location rather than varying with alignment tolerances, thereby improving both aperture stability and piercing location consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing element is pre-positioned in an extended state within the inhaler device before capsule insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the capsule is inserted, the piercing element is already aligned to strike at the correct offset location, eliminating variability caused by insertion alignment issues and ensuring consistent aperture formation
2Device complexity
If the piercing element is positioned on the longitudinal axis, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but the aperture formation is unreliable and non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The design intentionally introduces asymmetry by offsetting the piercing element from the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric configuration, while slightly more complex than a centered design, provides reliable and uniform aperture formation by ensuring consistent piercing location and preventing aperture reclosure, thereby improving overall device reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing element is positioned at a specific local location offset from the center, creating a localized functional asymmetry. This local quality change at the piercing interface ensures reliable aperture formation without requiring complex changes to the entire device structure, balancing simplicity with reliability
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 method provides a simple and reliable assembly process for the inhaler system, ensuring predictable and uniform dry powder delivery by forming a stable aperture, improving the quality and reliability of capsule activation.
Implementation Method 1
mating a piercing element cutting plane with the jig angled planar surface... forms a stable open aperture by cutting on the capsule hemispherical endcap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
A method of assembling an inhaler article holder having an oriented piercing element, includes inserting an inner housing into a jig. The inner housing extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end an inner housing length. The distal end includes a piercing element aperture. The inner housing length mates with a jig opening. The jig includes a jig angled planar surface coaxial with the piercing element aperture. The method includes mating a piercing element cutting plane with the jig angled planar surface. The piercing element extends from a proximal cutting end to the piercing element distal end defining a cutting plane. The piercing element distal end is received in the inner housing piercing element aperture, and then fixing the piercing element distal end to the inner housing. The piercing element cutting plane is orientated relative to the inner housing longitudinal axis.