Medicament Cap Assembly With Removal-Activated Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face issues with high power consumption due to integrated batteries and wired connections, which are not suitable for long-term storage and require more powerful and costly batteries, and there is a need for a reliable cap assembly that can activate an electronic component only when removed from the device.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with a resilient member that establishes an electrical connection between a power source and an electronic component only when detached from the medicament delivery device, utilizing a movable member and blocking mechanism to prevent power consumption during storage, and includes a power source such as a coin-sized battery or energy harvester.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated battery is used to power the electronic component continuously, then the electronic component can detect cap removal reliably, but the power consumption increases significantly and the battery requires to be more powerful and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic component operates periodically rather than continuously. The resilient member acts as a mechanical switch that closes the electrical circuit only when the cap is removed, causing the electronic component to activate intermittently rather than continuously, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The power source is extracted from the medicament delivery device and placed in the cap assembly instead. This allows the electronic component to be powered only when needed (when the cap is removed), rather than requiring continuous power from an integrated battery in the device
2Reliability
If the electronic component is powered on all the time to detect cap removal, then changes can be detected reliably, but the power consumption is significant for long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous operation to periodic operation. The resilient member mechanically controls the electrical connection, ensuring the electronic component is powered only during the specific event of cap removal, enabling reliable detection while supporting long-term storage without significant power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member automatically controls the power supply based on the cap's position. When the cap is attached, the resilient member prevents electrical connection; when removed, it establishes the connection. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for continuous power while maintaining detection capability
3Use of energy by moving object
If a resilient member is used to establish electrical connection only upon removal, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that translates the physical state of the cap (attached or removed) into an electrical state (connection or disconnection). This single component accomplishes the complex function of power management without requiring sophisticated electronics or control systems
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 cap assembly achieves low power consumption during storage, ensures reliable activation of the electronic component upon removal, and provides tamper-proof evidence of usage, facilitating data recording and user reminders.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member associated with the cap body and configured to establish an electrical connection between the power source and the electronic component
Implementation Method 2
the resilient member is prevented to establish the electrical connection between the power source and the electronic component
Data Source
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AI summary
A cap assembly adapted to removably attach to a medicament delivery device, the cap assembly comprises: a longitudinally extending cap body configured to be removably attached to a proximal end of the medicament delivery device; an electronic component associated with the cap body; a power source associated with the cap body and configured for powering the electronic component; a resilient member associated with the cap body and configured to establish an electrical connection between the power source and the electronic component; wherein the cap body comprises a movable member configured to interact with the resilient member and with a component of the medicament delivery device such that when the cap body is attached to the medicament delivery device, the resilient member is prevented to establish the electrical connection between the power source and the electronic component.