Injection Device Actuation Sensing and Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact injection devices face challenges in accommodating sufficient battery size due to their compact nature, which affects the power supply for electronic components, and there is a need to prevent accidental activation during handling, transport, and storage.
Innovation Solution
An injection device with a movable actuation member that inhibits mechanical operations when in a first position but allows them when in a second position, featuring an actuation sensing arrangement to detect this movement and activate electronic circuitry, thereby conserving energy and preventing accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the injection device is made compact, then the portability and ease of use are improved, but the battery size is insufficient to provide adequate power supply for electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic circuitry transitions between dynamic power states (low-power standby mode and high-power active mode) based on operational requirements. The actuation sensing arrangement triggers the circuitry to switch from low-power state to high-power state only when actuation is detected, allowing the device to maintain compact size while providing adequate power supply capacity when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic circuitry remains active continuously, then the device is always ready for operation, but energy is consumed unnecessarily during storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic circuitry operates in periodic cycles between low-power standby mode and high-power active mode. The actuation sensing arrangement periodically monitors for actuation events, keeping the circuitry in low-power state during storage and transport, and switching to high-power state only when actuation is detected, thereby eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If the device allows mechanical operation at all times, then the ease of use is improved, but accidental activation occurs during handling and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation sensing arrangement is configured to detect specific actuation movements before allowing mechanical operation. This preliminary detection mechanism prevents accidental activation by requiring a deliberate actuation gesture, while still maintaining ease of use through intuitive actuation design. The sensing arrangement acts as a gatekeeper that enables operation only when proper actuation is detected.
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 solution effectively conserves energy by switching electronic circuitry from a low-power to a high-power state only when needed and prevents accidental activation, simplifying operations while enhancing safety and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation sensing arrangement is configured to detect movement of the actuation member from the first position relative to the housing to the second position relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
The hinged member may be configured to engage with a mechanical part of the injection device to inhibit movement of the mechanical part when the hinged member is in the first position
Implementation Method 3
The actuation sensing arrangement may comprise a reed switch; and wherein the hinged member comprises a magnet, wherein the magnet and the reed switch are arranged such that the reed switch is in a first switch state when the actuation member is in the first position and the reed switch is in a second switch state when the actuation member is in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An injection device includes a housing; an actuation member movable between a first position relative to the housing and a second position relative to the housing, wherein the actuation member is arranged to inhibit a mechanical operation of the injection device when the actuation member is in the first position, and allow the mechanical operation of the injection device when the actuation member is in the second position; electronic circuitry; and an actuation sensing arrangement, wherein the actuation sensing arrangement is configured to detect movement of the actuation member from the first position relative to the housing to the second position relative to the housing, and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to be activated in response to detection by the actuation sensing arrangement that the actuation member has moved from the first position relative to the housing to the second position relative to the housing.