Jig-Oriented Inhaler Article Holder Assembly for Uniform Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 assembly method involves using a jig to orientate a single offset piercing element relative to the inhaler device's longitudinal axis, ensuring a stable and uniform aperture formation by positioning the piercing element parallel but offset from the central axis, facilitating a hinge formation at the aperture's perimeter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piercing element is used to pierce the capsule, then the capsule can be activated to allow dry powder delivery, but the aperture tends to reclose and the piercing element strikes at different locations leading to non-uniform apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element is segmented into multiple cutting planes (first cutting plane and second cutting plane) that work together to form the aperture. The first cutting plane creates an initial opening while the second cutting plane completes the aperture formation, ensuring the aperture remains open and uniform rather than reclosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing element features asymmetric cutting planes positioned at different angles and locations. This asymmetric design ensures consistent striking location on the capsule while creating a uniform aperture shape, preventing the variability that occurs with symmetric or single-plane designs.
2Manufacturing precision
If the piercing element cutting plane is oriented relative to the longitudinal axis, then uniform aperture formation is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element is pre-assembled with the inner housing in a predetermined orientation during the manufacturing process. The cutting planes are pre-positioned at specific angles relative to the longitudinal axis, so that during final assembly, the correct orientation is already established, reducing on-site assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning feature or guide structure acts as an intermediary between the piercing element and the housing, ensuring correct angular orientation of the cutting planes during assembly. This intermediary component simplifies the assembly process by providing mechanical guidance for achieving the precise orientation needed for uniform aperture formation.
Data Source
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.