Magnifying-Lens Counting Mechanism for Atomization Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical inhalation devices lack the ability to accurately track the amount of aerosol-forming material used, making it difficult to determine when a new liquid tank, cartridge, or inhalation device needs to be replaced.
Innovation Solution
A counting mechanism with a shell, housing, and magnifying lens that includes a counting assembly with rotating disks and gears to count atomizations, displaying the number of uses through a magnifying lens for clear visibility, allowing timely replacement of the inhalation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a counting mechanism is added to track atomization次数, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counting mechanism is nested within the existing inhalation device structure. The first counting disk is positioned inside the housing, the second counting disk is nested within the first counting disk's rotational path, and the third counting disk is eccentrically sheathed in the receiving space of the second counting disk. This nested arrangement allows multiple counting functions to be integrated in a compact space without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The counting mechanism is designed to automatically track atomization次数 through mechanical coupling with the atomization assembly. Each atomization action automatically drives the counting disks to rotate and display the updated count, eliminating the need for manual tracking or external intervention. The mechanism serves itself by using the existing operational movements to drive the counting function.
2Measurement precision
If multiple counting disks with gears are used to track usage, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The counting function is segmented into three separate counting disks (first, second, and third counting disks), each responsible for tracking different aspects of the atomization count. The first counting disk tracks individual atomizations, the second counting disk tracks groups of ten, and the third counting disk tracks hundreds. This segmentation allows each disk to have simpler gear requirements while collectively achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission gear acts as an intermediary between the ring gear and the third counting disk. It transfers and modifies the rotational motion from the ring gear to the third counting disk, enabling precise tracking of higher-order count values without requiring direct high-precision engagement between all moving parts. The intermediary gear distributes the precision requirements across multiple simpler interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If a magnifying lens is added to display counts, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnifying lens creates an optical copy or enlarged image of the count display at the observation window. Instead of requiring a complex electronic display system, the simple optical lens magnifies the mechanical count digits, making them easily visible to users. This approach achieves improved ease of operation with minimal added complexity.
4Measurement precision
If counting disks are positioned to display numbers, then measurement precision is improved, but volume of housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counting disks are arranged in a nested configuration where the second counting disk is positioned within the rotational path of the first counting disk, and the third counting disk is eccentrically sheathed in the receiving space of the second counting disk. This nested doll-like arrangement allows all three counting disks to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the total housing volume required compared to a linear or side-by-side arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The third counting disk is positioned eccentrically rather than concentrically with the second counting disk, utilizing the vertical or radial dimension more efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows the counting disks to stack more compactly while maintaining proper gear engagement and number display alignment, thereby reducing the overall housing volume.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to a counting mechanism and an inhalation device. The counting mechanism comprises: a shell, including a housing and a magnifying lens, where the housing has an observation window, and the magnifying lens is mounted on the housing and blocks the observation window; and a counting assembly, positioned inside the housing and configured to form different counts at the observation window. The counting mechanism can be used in an inhalation device for atomizing an aerosol-forming material. Each time the inhalation device is used, a counting assembly counts once, to display the number of times of atomization or display the remaining number of times of atomization, so that a user can clearly learn the usage of the aerosol-forming material to replace a new tank or inhalation device in a timely manner. In addition, the magnifying lens is positioned at the observation window of the counting mechanism for displaying the count, and the count formed by the counting assembly can be magnified by the magnifying lens, so that the count can be clearly displayed. Moreover, the counting mechanism does not need to be set to a large volume to mark a large number, thereby saving an internal space of the housing.