Lateral Actuation Member for Injection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices lack ease of use and manufacturing simplicity, particularly in terms of operating comfort and dosing precision, with actuation mechanisms often complex and difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A drive and metering device with a sleeve-shaped housing, a dose setting element, and an actuator that allows intuitive operation, featuring a dose setting member that can be rotated to set doses and an actuator that can be manually moved from an unactuated to an actuated position, with a reset spring for automatic return, enhancing user interaction and manufacturing ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuation element is arranged at the rear end of the injection device, then the device structure is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user cannot easily access the actuation element while holding the device
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is moved from the longitudinal axis (rear end) to a lateral position on the housing, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows the user's thumb to easily reach the actuation element from the side while maintaining a simplified overall device structure without complex internal mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuation element forms the rear end of the device, then manufacturing is simplified, but user comfort deteriorates due to difficult access during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is positioned laterally on the housing rather than forming the rear end, providing easy lateral access for the user's thumb while maintaining simple manufacturing through straightforward housing integration and assembly
3Ease of operation
If the actuation element is laterally arranged on the housing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently attached to the housing. This segmentation allows for easy lateral access while keeping the housing structure relatively simple and enabling independent manufacturing and assembly of the actuation element
4Ease of manufacture
If the actuation element is laterally arranged on the housing, then ease of manufacture is improved through modular assembly, but device complexity increases due to additional attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is designed as a separate module that attaches to the housing through simple mechanical means such as clips, snaps, or screws. This segmentation enables modular assembly for ease of manufacture while keeping the attachment mechanisms straightforward and minimal, avoiding excessive complexity
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 provides a high level of operating comfort and ease of manufacturing by simplifying the dosing process and actuation mechanism, making the device more user-friendly and cost-effective to produce.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating element can be returned from the actuated position into the unactuated position by means of a reset spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A drive and metering apparatus for an injection apparatus for releasing a liquid product, the drive and metering apparatus comprising: a) a housing (1; 101), b) a dose adjustment member (2; 102), which is rotatable relative to the housing (1; 101) for adjusting the product dose to be released, c) an actuation member (8; 108) which is displaceable from a non-actuated position, which it assumes while adjusting the product dose to be released, into an actuated position, which it assumes while it releases the product, wherein the displacement of the actuation member (8; 108) into the actuated position triggers a product release and the actuation member (8; 108) comprises an actuation section (8a; 108a), which is accessible to a user of the drive and metering apparatus and by means of which the user can displace the actuation member (8; 108) from the non-actuated position into the actuated position, d) wherein the actuation section (8a; 108a) is arranged distally in relation to the dose adjustment member (2; 102).