Pharmaceutical Pen Assembly Stop Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During the semi-automatic assembly of pharmaceutical application aids, such as pens, the second housing sleeve often screws too far onto the first, causing unintended activation of the carpule contents, especially in dual-chamber systems, making the device unusable.
Innovation Solution
A device with a holding mechanism that fixes the first housing sleeve in place axially and radially, combined with a stop to limit the displacement of the second housing sleeve, preventing over-tightening and using sensors to ensure precise positioning and activation prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the second housing sleeve is screwed onto the first housing sleeve during semi-automatic assembly, then the application aid is assembled, but the second housing sleeve is often screwed too far causing unintended activation of the carpule contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a stop element on the first housing sleeve before the assembly process begins. This stop element pre-defines the maximum displacement position of the second housing sleeve, preventing over-screwing before it can occur. The stop element is positioned in advance to limit how far the second housing sleeve can be screwed onto the first, thereby preventing unintended carpule activation while allowing complete assembly.
2Productivity
If manual assembly is used to reduce costs for small production numbers, then assembly costs are reduced, but the risk of over-tightening and carpule activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the stop element as an intermediary mechanism between the operator's manual screwing action and the carpule. This intermediary physically limits the displacement of the second housing sleeve, acting as a mediator that prevents the harmful effect (over-tightening) while allowing the useful action (assembly) to proceed. The stop element translates the operator's manual effort into a controlled assembly process that cannot exceed the predetermined safe position.
3Reliability
If the second housing sleeve is displaced further to ensure proper connection, then connection reliability is improved, but the carpule stopper may be displaced causing activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the stop element in advance to counteract the potential harmful effect of over-displacement. The stop element creates a predetermined boundary that prevents the second housing sleeve from being screwed too far, thereby preventing the displacement of the carpule stopper. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the connection between housing sleeves is sufficient for reliability while preventing the harmful displacement of the stopper.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for assembly of a pharmaceutical application aid (51), particularly a pen, is proposed. The device (1) is characterized by a holding device (3) for fixation of a first housing sleeve (5) that accommodates a pharmaceutical container, particularly a carpule (23), and by a stop (43) for limiting a displacement of a second housing sleeve (35) relative to the first housing sleeve (5).