Metering System with Internal Pull-Up Limiting Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing systems for flowable media, such as liquid medications, are not user-friendly and intuitive, often leading to incorrect dosing and are difficult to manufacture, especially for pediatric or elderly users.

Innovation Solution

A dosing system with a pull-up limiting element completely housed within the dosing sleeve, providing a tactile stop mechanism for precise dosing, which is easy to manufacture and tamper-proof, allowing for intuitive and accurate volume setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If external stop elements are attached to the circumference of the metering piston bodies to adjust the metering volume, then the dosing system can be adjusted to different volumes, but the handling is not user-friendly and not intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable dosing volumeVSAvoiduser-friendly handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stop element from the external circumference of the piston body and relocates it to the front end of the piston body, where it protrudes axially. This extraction and relocation transforms the adjustment mechanism into a more intuitive form where the stop element can be easily engaged with corresponding recesses in the dosing sleeve to set different dosing volumes, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining adjustability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attaching stop elements to the external circumference as in conventional systems, the invention inverts the approach by placing the stop element at the front end of the piston body where it protrudes axially. This inversion creates a more intuitive interface where the stop element directly interacts with the dosing sleeve's recesses, making the dosing process more user-friendly and intuitive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the pull-up limiting element is arranged completely within the dosing sleeve in its inner position, then unintentional manipulation is prevented and tamper-proof design is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper-proof designVSAvoidinternal arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-up limiting element is nested within the dosing sleeve, specifically arranged in the receiving space defined by the dosing sleeve. This nesting arrangement allows the limiting element to be completely housed within the dosing sleeve in its inner position, preventing unintentional manipulation and achieving tamper-proof design while integrating smoothly into the existing device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pull-up limiting element acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the piston body and the dosing sleeve. By positioning this limiting element completely within the dosing sleeve, it provides a mechanical barrier that prevents unauthorized access and manipulation of the dosing mechanism, thereby enhancing reliability without requiring external protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a tactile stop mechanism is implemented for precise dosing, then dosing accuracy is improved and errors are reduced, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the stop element on the piston body, the recesses in the dosing sleeve, and the pull-up limiting element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, and then assembled together to create the tactile stop mechanism, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving precise dosing through the tactile feedback provided by the stop mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2801382B1Metering system
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 RAUMEDIC AG
  • EP2801382B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2801382B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2801382B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a metering system for adjusting the metering volume of a flowable medium. The metering system has a longitudinal central axis (1), a metering sleeve (3) with at least one communication opening (7), a metering piston body (4) which is axially displaceable within the metering sleeve (3) for receiving and dispensing the medium via the communication opening (7) between a drawn-up and a retracted position, and a draw-up limiting element (5) for limiting the maximum axial draw-up travel of the metering piston body (4). The draw-up limiting element (5) can be axially fixed in at least one position on the metering piston body (4) and is displaceable radially to the longitudinal central axis (1) between an inner position, axially fixed on the metering piston body (4), and an outer position relative to the metering piston body (4). In the inner position, it is completely inside the metering sleeve (3).Furthermore, the metering system has a stop (6) arranged on the metering sleeve (3) for interaction with the winding limiting element (5) in the wound-up position of the metering piston body (4).