Locking Ring Mechanism for Clear Dose Delivery Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face issues with complex mechanical components leading to frictional problems and increased manufacturing costs, while lacking well-defined activation points for dose delivery.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device incorporating a locking mechanism with a plunger rod, actuator, and locking ring that allows direct engagement between a user-operated button and activator, providing a well-defined activation point and tactile or audible end-of-dose signal, while preventing accidental needle exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical components are used to achieve automatic functions, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The actuator integrates the activation button, plunger rod, and dose delivery mechanism into a single integrated assembly, reducing the total number of components while maintaining automatic penetration, injection, and needle covering functions
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the activation button, contains the plunger rod for medicament delivery, provides the needle guard mechanism, and enables automatic retraction. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical components are used to achieve automatic functions, then functionality is improved, but frictional issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into the integrated actuator assembly, the patent reduces the number of interfaces and contact points between separate parts, thereby minimizing frictional losses while maintaining automatic functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates intermediate transmission components that would introduce friction, allowing the activator to directly engage the plunger rod without additional mechanical linkages, thus reducing energy loss to friction
3Ease of operation
If indirect engagement of components is used, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but activation point definition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate engagement components between the activator and plunger rod, creating a direct engagement mechanism that provides a precise, well-defined activation point while maintaining operational flexibility through the integrated actuator design
Data Source
AI summary
A dose delivery mechanism and a medicament delivery device are presented having a housing holding a medicament container and a power unit, where the power unit has a plunger rod, a drive spring, operably arranged to act on the plunger rod and on the medicament container. A locking ring is operatively engaged with an actuator having a holding ledge that can releasably hold the plunger rod with the drive spring in a tensioned state, and with an actuator sleeve to form a lock that prevents axially movement of the actuator after dose delivery. The locking ring also cooperates with the actuator to generate an end-of-dose delivery signal. An activator is directly engaged with the actuator to provide a well-defined activation point.