Rotatable Base Shaping Tool for Gastight Inhaler Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shaping tools used for manufacturing inhaler cartridges are unreliable and prone to breakdown due to their radial pivoting movement mechanism, leading to inconsistent and non-gastight end contours.
Innovation Solution
A shaping tool with radially movable bending rollers, actuated by a spring-loaded lever, which adjusts from a maximum to a minimum working aperture to ensure precise shaping of the inhaler cartridge, featuring an axial depressor for positioning, a conical pressing member for secure placement, and an overload prevention mechanism to prevent damage and ensure accurate dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radial pivoting movement mechanism is used to move bending rollers from maximum to minimum working aperture, then the shaping tool can adjust its working aperture, but the reliability and susceptibility to breakdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the lever can pivot between different positions to change the working aperture. The bending roller is mounted on a slide that moves radially along the lever's pivot path, allowing the system to adapt between maximum and minimum aperture positions while maintaining reliability through a simple, robust mechanical design without complex radial pivoting joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary element that translates axial spring forces into radial positioning of the bending roller. Instead of directly pivoting the bending roller radially, the lever mediates the motion by converting axial compression spring action into the desired radial adjustment, thereby improving reliability while achieving aperture variability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shaping tool rotates with the workpiece fixed in place, then foaming of the active substance formulation is prevented, but the complexity of the positioning mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the workpiece and rotating the shaping tool around it, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the workpiece itself while the shaping tool remains stationary in terms of its main body. The bending roller and lever mechanism are positioned relative to the rotating workpiece, simplifying the overall positioning mechanism while still preventing foaming through controlled rotation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bending roller is moved into the minimum working aperture position during downward motion, then precise shaping and gastight seal are achieved, but the risk of incorrect positioning and defective contours increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring is pre-loaded to provide a predetermined axial force that automatically positions the bending roller at the correct minimum aperture position as the lever pivots during downward motion. This preliminary spring loading ensures that the bending roller reaches the precise positioning point before contact with the workpiece, preventing defective contours while maintaining reliability through consistent, repeatable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism provides inherent feedback through its pivot motion - as the shaping tool moves downward, the lever naturally pivots and carries the bending roller to the minimum aperture position. The geometry of the lever and slide arrangement ensures that the bending roller reaches the correct position automatically based on the downward motion itself, creating a self-regulating system that improves both precision and reliability.
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 tool provides a reliable and accurate shaping process, preventing foaming of the active substance and ensuring a gastight seal, with adjustable eccentric bolts for fine-tuning and a cam control for reproducible height adjustment, resulting in high surface quality and precise dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
The resetting of the bending roller from the minimum working aperture for the tool to the maximum working aperture for the tool is carried out by means of a radially acting compression spring
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded lever with an axial configuration, into a position that defines a minimum working aperture for the tool
Data Source
AI summary
A shaping tool as depicted in exemplary FIG. 3 comprising a rotatable base member having at least one profiled bending roller (13) which is mounted on a circular track and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The bending roller (13) arranged on a radially movable slide (11) is movable from a position defining a maximum working aperture for the tool, by means of a spring-loaded lever (9) which has an axial configuration, into a position defining a minimum working aperture for the tool.