Magnetic Dose Indicator for Fluid Dispensing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid product distribution devices with doseuse valves are complex and expensive to manufacture and assemble, and they often provide inaccurate or unreliable indications of the tank's filling level, especially for certain drugs where a simple indication is sufficient.
Innovation Solution
A fluid product distribution device with a hollow axial sleeve containing a dispenser and a doseuse valve, featuring a magnetic indication system that moves within an axial groove without mechanical contact, allowing for reliable and reusable indication of the tank's filling level, using a follower piston and spring to compensate for volume changes and prevent 'drain back', and utilizing HFA or HFO propellant gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex indicators or dose counters are used to indicate filling status, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical indicators with a magnetic indication system. A magnet is attached to the follower piston, and a magnetic indicator element moves along an axial groove in response to the magnet's position, providing filling status indication without complex mechanical linkages. This substitution of magnetic field for mechanical connection resolves the contradiction by simplifying the indicator structure while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the follower piston and the indicator element. The magnet on the piston interacts with the magnetic indicator element through the hollow axial sleeve, allowing the indicator to respond to piston position without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach enables accurate filling status indication while keeping the indicator structure simple and inexpensive.
2Reliability
If mechanical contact is used between indicator element and movable parts during actuation, then reliability of indication is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact between the indicator element and movable parts by using magnetic interaction. The magnet attached to the follower piston magnetically actuates the indicator element along the axial groove without physical contact. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining indication reliability through magnetic coupling while avoiding the complexity of mechanical linkages that would require precise alignment and wear resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the body and indicator are designed for reuse with different dispensers, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the body and indicator assembly as a universal component that can be reused with different fluid product dispensers. The hollow axial sleeve and magnetic indication system are configured to work with various dispenser types without requiring precision realignment. The magnet and indicator element are positioned to ensure reliable indication across different dispensing configurations, achieving adaptability without excessive manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic indication system automatically adapts to different dispensers through self-alignment. The magnet on the follower piston and the magnetic indicator element naturally position themselves relative to each other through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for precision mechanical alignment when reusing the body and indicator with different dispensers. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing universality without demanding high manufacturing precision.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple indication method is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple magnetic indication system that is easy to manufacture yet provides reliable filling level indication. The magnet attached to the follower piston and the magnetic indicator element moving along the axial groove create a clear visual indication of remaining product without complex assembly. This magnetic approach achieves both ease of manufacture and adequate measurement precision for determining when the container needs refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic indicator element can incorporate color changes or visual indicators that become apparent as it moves along the axial groove in response to the magnet's position. This visual feedback mechanism provides sufficient measurement precision for filling level indication while keeping the indicator assembly simple and easy to manufacture, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
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 device provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method to indicate the remaining fluid product quantity, ensuring accurate filling level indication and allowing reuse with different distributors, while preventing 'drain back' and ensuring proper filling chamber regulation.
Implementation Method 1
said internal rod forming or comprising a first magnet, said reservoir containing a follower piston and a piston spring which biases said follower piston axially in the direction of said metering valve, said follower piston being adapted to slide axially in said reservoir in a sealed manner after each actuation, to compensate for the volume of each dose dispensed, said follower piston containing a second magnet, so that at each axial movement of said follower piston after each actuation,this magnetically drives said internal rod and therefore said indicating element
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A fluid product dispensing device comprising a body (100) provided with a hollow axial sleeve (101) receiving a fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir (1) containing a fluid product and a dosing valve (10), the body (100) comprising an indicator (200) for indicating to the user the quantity of fluid product that remains in the fluid product dispenser, the indicator (200) comprising an indicating element (201) arranged outside the hollow axial sleeve (101) and movable axially with respect to the hollow axial sleeve (101) along indicating means (208) arranged outside the hollow axial sleeve (101), the indicating element (201) being moved upon each actuation of the device in the absence of any mechanical contact between the indicating element (201) and a part of the dispenser that is able to move during the actuation, such as the reservoir (1).