Nebulizer Pre-Installed Container Piercing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulizers with pre-installed containers are bulky and prone to incorrect handling, leading to soiling or damage, and lack operational safety due to the need for user intervention in inserting and closing the container.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer design with a pre-installed, non-replaceable container where the second closure is automatically opened during insertion, and the first closure is opened separately within the device, minimizing size and preventing unauthorized use by ensuring the container is only used until empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-installed container is used in the nebulizer, then operational safety and ease of operation are improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is nested within the nebulizer housing in a space-efficient manner, with the container wall forming part of the sealing structure. The conveying tube is inserted through the container wall, and the closure element is integrated into the container opening, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes overall device volume while maintaining pre-installed container configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall serves multiple functions: it contains the fluid, provides structural support, and forms part of the sealing structure against the nebulizer housing. The conveying tube serves both as a fluid conduit and as a piercing element that opens the container seal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device size.
2Ease of operation
If the container is pre-installed and requires user insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of incorrect handling and soiling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-installed in the nebulizer housing before use, with the conveying tube pre-positioned to pierce the container seal. The closure element is pre-configured to seal the container opening. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for users to manually insert or open the container, preventing incorrect handling and soiling while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying tube automatically pierces the container seal when the nebulizer is assembled or activated, without requiring user intervention. The closure element self-seals the container opening, and the system self-regulates to prevent unauthorized access or incorrect handling. This self-service mechanism ensures operational safety while maintaining simplicity.
3Reliability
If a sealing structure with conveying tube and closure element is used, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall, sealing structure, and closure element are merged into an integrated assembly. The conveying tube is integrated with the housing structure, and the closure element is combined with the container opening. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall sealing structure while maintaining operational safety through the preserved functional relationships between elements.
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 design enhances operational safety and reliability by preventing incorrect handling and unauthorized use, while allowing for a compact, user-friendly device that is only used until the container is empty, thus ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
the drive spring is released and the fluid in the pressure chamber is put under pressure by the drive spring and is delivered or atomized through a nozzle into a mouthpiece as an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
the container is moved into the lower housing part in a stroke movement within the nebulizer and when tensioned for the first time the container may be pierced through its base by a piercing element in the lower housing part to allow venting of the container
Implementation Method 3
the fluid in the pressure chamber is put under pressure by the drive spring and is delivered or atomized through a nozzle into a mouthpiece as an aerosol
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A nebulizer (1), in particular inhaler, having a pre-installed container (3) is proposed. The container (3) has a fluid outlet (24) with two associated closures (25, 26). A second closure (26) is already pierced in a delivery state where the container (3) is pre-installed in the partly closed nebulizer (1). The first closure (25) is opened just before or when completely closing the nebulizer (1) and using the nebulizer (1).