Nebulizer Blocking Device for Secure Dose Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulizers face challenges in easy handling and secure counting of fluid doses, as they often require complex assembly and may lead to undesired actuation of counter devices due to undefined rotational positions of rotatable elements.
Innovation Solution
A blocking device is introduced to lock a rotatable element in a defined position until the housing part is completely connected to the nebulizer, ensuring secure meshing engagement with a drive member and preventing undesired actuation, thereby facilitating easy handling and secure counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotatable element is used for counting operations in the housing part, then counting functionality is enabled, but undesired actuation may occur due to undefined rotational positions when the housing part is not connected
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is configured to automatically block the rotatable element before the housing part is connected to the nebulizer body. This preliminary blocking action prevents any unintended rotation or actuation of the counter during transport or handling, ensuring that counting only begins once proper connection is established and the blocking device is disengaged
2Ease of operation
If the housing part is designed to be separable for easy handling, then ease of operation is improved, but secure connection and proper engagement of drive members may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device serves as an intermediary mechanism between the separable housing part and the nebulizer body. It provides a temporary constraint during handling to ensure proper alignment and engagement of the drive member with the rotatable element, while still allowing the housing part to be easily separated when needed. The blocking device acts as a guide that ensures precise engagement without compromising the separable design
3Ease of manufacture
If the rotatable element is freely rotatable during transport, then ease of assembly is improved, but axial play and undefined positions lead to counting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is pre-configured to engage with the rotatable element before assembly is complete. This preliminary blocking action maintains the rotatable element in a defined position during transport and assembly, preventing axial play and ensuring that when the housing part is properly connected and the blocking device disengages, the rotatable element is ready for accurate counting operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A nebulizer (1) and a housing part (18) comprising a blocking device (74) as well as use of a blocking device are proposed. The blocking device blocks a rotatable element (42) of a counter device (23) in a defined rotational position until the nebulizer is closed.