Power-Efficient Add-On Device Switch Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices, particularly disposable pre-filled devices, face challenges in being both user-friendly and power-efficient due to the high power consumption associated with traditional switch mechanisms, which are costly during both storage and operational use.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a switch arrangement with two low-power states, where the electronic circuitry automatically toggles between them based on the cap's mounted or unmounted state, ensuring a powered open switch during most of the device's lifetime, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for manual switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional switch mechanism is used to detect cap-on/cap-off events, then the device can reliably detect usage events, but the power consumption increases during both storage and operational use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a switch that is closed during use and open during storage (traditional approach), the patent inverts the logic by using a switch that is open during both storage and non-use periods, and only closes temporarily during cap-on/cap-off events. This inversion ensures the switch remains in a low-power open state for the majority of the device's lifetime, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable event detection capability.
2Ease of operation
If a powered switch is closed during storage to enable detection, then the device is ready for immediate use, but power is consumed continuously during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects cap-on and cap-off events through the switch mechanism without requiring manual activation or programming by the user. The electronic circuitry autonomously responds to switch closure events by recording dosage information and updating the usage log, eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining operational readiness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If manual switching is required to activate the device, then power consumption is reduced, but user complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects cap-on and cap-off events through the switch mechanism without requiring manual activation or programming by the user. The electronic circuitry autonomously responds to switch closure events by recording dosage information and updating the usage log, eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining operational readiness.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An electronically controlled add-on device with a switch arrangement comprises a powered switch which is open during most of its lifetime, i.e. during both storage and operational use. More specifically, in one embodiment the add-on device comprises a secondary switch so that there are an open and a closed switch. The logics of the electronic circuitry control the circuitry so that the closed switch will be un-powered and the open switch will be powered. When the switch is mechanically changed, both switches are changed by the controller so that the closed switch will be un-powered and the open switch will be powered.