Inhaler Capsule Puncture Mechanism with Guided Needle Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inhalers that use capsules for powder medicaments suffer from issues such as plastics material scraping and false air intake due to fixed needles, leading to particle contamination and audible sounds during actuation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a puncture device with moveable needles guided within channels within the capsule receiver, where the needles are fixedly connected to receivers that move within guide channels, reducing air leakage and wear on the chamber, and using a spring mechanism to control needle movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If needles are fixed directly to the actuating button, then the capsule can be opened effectively, but plastics material is scraped off at the openings in the capsule chamber creating particles and false air is drawn in
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the actuating button, the needle receiver, and the guide channel are distinct elements. The needle is mounted on the movable needle receiver rather than being fixed to the button, creating segmented tolerance chains that reduce scraping and false air intake while maintaining capsule opening effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle receiver acts as an intermediary element between the actuating button and the needle. This intermediate component absorbs tolerances and prevents direct contact between the button and capsule chamber openings, eliminating plastics scraping and false air intake while transmitting the actuating force to the needle.
2Device complexity
If needles are fixed directly to the actuating button, then the structure is simple, but there is canting and audible sound due to unclear tolerance chains
Solution Approach 1:
The tolerance chain is segmented into multiple independent elements: the guide channel provides lateral guidance, the needle receiver moves axially within it, and the actuating button provides the driving force. This segmentation distributes tolerances across separate components, eliminating canting and audible sounds while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle receiver is designed to move dynamically within the guide channel during actuation, rather than being rigidly fixed. This dynamic arrangement allows the system to absorb tolerances and operate smoothly without canting or audible noise, improving ease of operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the needle receiver is movable in the guide channel, then false air intake is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel serves as an intermediary structure that guides the needle receiver's movement. This intermediate component minimizes false air intake by controlling the needle receiver's path while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel performs multiple functions: it guides the needle receiver's movement, minimizes false air intake, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, keeping the device complexity low while achieving the desired reduction in false air intake.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for providing a medicament from capsules, where the device is integrated into an inhaler and comprises a capsule receiver comprising a capsule chamber, which extends along a first direction (X) in the manner of a tube and in which a capsule can be arranged, and a puncture device for opening the capsules, where the puncture device is arranged in a second direction (Y) radial to the capsule chamber, the puncture device having at least one needle which is moveable in sections into the capsule chamber in the second direction (Y) by means of an actuating button. A respective rear portion of the at least one needle of the puncture device is received in part in a needle receiver. The capsule receiver comprises at least one guide channel extending along the second direction (Y), wherein the needle receiver is arranged in the guide channel in such a moveable manner.