Preloaded Discharge Spring Injection Device Dose Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices for administering liquid products, such as insulin, are cumbersome for users to set doses due to complex mechanisms and lack intuitive dose indication, making them difficult to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A driving and dosing device with a sleeve-shaped housing featuring a dose indicating element, a pointing device, and a dosing element, which includes a helical dose scale and a screwable mechanism for easy dose setting and administration, providing clear and intuitive operation through a combination of rotational and axial movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a complex cocking mechanism is used to store energy in the spring during dosing, then the spring can output energy to propel the piston rod, but the device becomes more difficult to operate and set doses
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge spring is pre-loaded during manufacturing to a predefined initial tension state, eliminating the need for users to perform cocking actions. The spring is already prepared to deliver the required energy for dose administration without requiring complex user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cocking mechanism is completely removed from the device. Instead of requiring users to tension the spring through rotation or other actions, the spring is pre-tensioned and integrated into the device in its active state, simplifying the user interface to only dose setting and activation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a rotational dosing mechanism is used to tension the spring, then the spring can store energy for dose discharge, but the dose setting process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded during manufacturing with the energy required for dose administration. Users only need to set the dose volume and activate the pre-loaded spring, eliminating the time-consuming rotational cocking process while maintaining full energy storage capability.
3Ease of operation
If a pre-loaded discharge spring is used, then dose setting becomes simpler and faster, but the device requires more complex internal mechanics to manage the pre-loaded spring
Solution Approach 1:
The complex cocking mechanism is extracted and removed entirely. The pre-loaded spring works directly with a simplified transmission system that only needs to transfer energy from the spring to the piston rod, reducing overall mechanical complexity despite the pre-loaded state.
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pre-loaded spring and the piston rod, allowing controlled energy transfer only when the user activates the device. This mediator manages the pre-loaded spring's energy without requiring complex user operations.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the spring is cocked by rotation during dosing, then energy can be stored for propulsion, but the operating steps increase and user training is required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded during manufacturing with sufficient energy for dose administration. Users only need to set the dose and activate the device, eliminating rotational cocking steps and making the device intuitive to operate without special training.
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 device simplifies dose setting and administration by offering clear dose indication and intuitive handling, allowing users to easily manage the dosage process without the need for complex cocking mechanisms, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge spring (11) which is supported at its distal end on the propulsion element (8), and at its proximal end, on the abutment (4i), wherein the discharge spring (11) is preloaded in the delivery state of the driving and dosing device (1, 400) such that the energy stored in the discharge spring (11) is sufficient to move the piston (14a) in the distal direction, from the retracted position to the advanced position
Data Source
AI summary
A driving and dosing device for an injection device includes: a housing, a dosing element gripped by a user, an actuating element actuable by the user to discharge the set dose, a propulsion element for acting on a piston to discharge the set dose, a spring configured to act between the propulsion element and an abutment, which is preloaded so as to discharge a maximum dischargeable product quantity in a plurality of individual discharges, a rotation element configured to rotate relative to the housing and a clutch configured for releasably engaging the rotation element. Releasing the clutch permits the rotation element to rotate relative to the housing when the actuating element is actuated, blocks the rotation of the rotation element relative to the housing when the actuating element is released, and by rotation of the rotation element, the spring is permitted to move the propulsion element in the discharge direction.