Inhaler Pivot Arm Mechanism for Trigger Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dry powder inhaler devices face issues with trigger mechanism inefficiency, requiring excessive force and leading to gear overload, wear, and breakage, as well as user difficulty and training requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dry powder inhaler device with a pivot arm and transmission arm mechanism that converts axial motion into rotational motion, reducing the force needed to operate the trigger and preventing gear overload, featuring a pretensioned spring for automatic restoration and a triangular-shaped pivot arm for precise blister advancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a gear mechanism is used to convert linear trigger motion into rotational motion for blister advancement, then the trigger can be slid into the interior of the device to reduce volume, but the gears become exposed to overloads, wear, and breakage due to force transmission losses and slackness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear mechanism from the trigger system entirely. Instead of using gears to convert linear motion to rotational motion, the invention uses a direct mechanical linkage where the trigger's linear motion directly actuates the blister advancement mechanism through a cam follower and lever system, eliminating the problematic gear components that were exposed to overloads and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gear-based mechanical transmission system with a different mechanical approach using a cam follower and lever mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for gears while achieving the same functional conversion of motion types, thereby removing the reliability issues associated with gear slackness and wear.
2Ease of operation
If multiple gears are used to transmit force from the trigger to the blister advancement mechanism, then motion conversion is achieved, but force transmission losses occur and extra force must be exerted by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the multi-gear transmission system that caused force losses. By using a direct mechanical linkage with a cam follower and lever, the invention removes the intermediate transmission stages that required extra force, allowing the user to operate the trigger with minimal effort while still achieving effective blister advancement.
3Ease of operation
If trigger mechanisms are designed with external movable components, then ease of operation is improved, but the device requires extra movable volume on the exterior and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trigger mechanism with the internal blister advancement mechanism by using a direct mechanical linkage. The trigger's linear motion is directly transmitted through a cam follower and lever to actuate the blister strip, eliminating the need for separate external movable components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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 device operates with reduced force requirements, minimizing gear wear and improving user convenience, achieving accurate and reliable drug administration with simplified operation and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot arm (16) connected to the body (1) by means of a support/pin (14) between a first end (11) and a second end (13) of the pivot arm so that the pivot arm can only rotate around the support pin (14) and which converts the axial motion received from the trigger (2) into a rotational motion on its second end (13)
Implementation Method 2
a transmission arm (20) which has a first end (17) connected to the drum (5) in a rotating manner and a second end (18) comprising a pin (19) disposed so as to rest against the second end (13) of the pivot arm (16) and which transmits the rotational motion received from the pivot arm (16) to the drum (5) in a reversed direction
Implementation Method 3
a pretensioned spring for automatic restoration
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to improvements made in the blister advancement mechanism of dry powder inhaler devices. A dry powder inhaler device (11) mechanism comprises a transmission arm and a pivot arm.