Spring-Clutch Dosing Mechanism for Accurate Pharmaceutical Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dosing devices for pharmaceutical or therapeutic substances face issues such as complex design, high manufacturing costs, insufficient durability, dosing accuracy, uncontrolled substance outflow, and user discomfort, particularly with cam-and-wedge mechanisms in small devices which are unreliable and prone to breaking.
Innovation Solution
A setting mechanism for dosing devices comprising a controlling assembly connected to a dose setting element, a driving assembly connected to a driving element, and a dosing assembly connected to a dosing element, utilizing a spring element that deforms from a coupled to a decoupled position during rotation, allowing displacement and blocking rotation, with at least four interconnected rotatable elements featuring corrugated surfaces for precise dose setting and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cam-and-wedge mechanisms are used for dose setting and correction, then dose adjustment capability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to breaking during manufacture and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cam-and-wedge mechanism entirely and replaces it with a clutch mechanism featuring a driving member with external teeth and a driven member with internal teeth. This extraction of the problematic component eliminates the breaking issue while preserving the dose adjustment function through the clutch's engage/disengage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the cam-and-wedge mechanical system with a toothed clutch mechanical system. The clutch mechanism uses rotational engagement of teeth rather than cam surfaces and wedge actions, providing a more reliable transmission of motion that does not break during manufacture or use.
2Measurement precision
If complex setting mechanisms with multiple elements are used, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables dose setting, dose correction, and maintains positional stability through the engagement of teeth. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining dosing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the dose setting and correction functions into a single clutch mechanism. The driving member and driven member work together to provide both forward (dose setting) and reverse (dose correction) motion control, merging what would traditionally require separate mechanisms into one integrated system.
3Loss of substance
If ratchets are used to prevent uncontrolled outflow, then substance loss is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ratchet mechanism and replaces it with a clutch mechanism that prevents uncontrolled outflow through the engagement and disengagement of teeth. This extraction eliminates the need for complex ratchet structures while maintaining the prevention of substance loss through controlled mechanical engagement.
4Ease of operation
If spring elements are added to provide force for dose setting, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cam-and-wedge mechanism and its associated spring elements, replacing them with a clutch mechanism that provides force through the mechanical engagement of teeth. This extraction eliminates unnecessary spring components while maintaining the force required for easy dose setting and correction operations.
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 mechanism simplifies design, reduces manufacturing costs, enhances durability and accuracy, minimizes substance outflow, and provides equal force for dose setting and correction, eliminating the need for ratchets or cams, while allowing automatic dose supply with reduced user effort.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (151), which deforms from a coupled position to a decoupled position during rotation of the controlling assembly (110) with respect to the dosing assembly (160), wherein the spring element (151) is configured to allow a displacement of the controlling assembly (110) with respect to the dosing assembly (160), and wherein in the coupled position the spring element (151) is configured to block a rotation of the controlling assembly (110) with respect to the dosing assembly (160)
Data Source
AI summary
A setting mechanism for a dosing device, in particular for a device for dosing pharmaceutical or therapeutic substances, the setting mechanism including: a controlling assembly for connecting the setting mechanism with a dose setting element of the dosing device; a driving assembly for connecting the setting mechanism with a driving element of the dosing device; a dosing assembly for connecting the setting mechanism with a dosing element of the dosing device. The controlling assembly is coupled with the dosing assembly by a spring element, which can deform from a coupled position to a decoupled position during rotation of the dose setting element. The spring element is configured to allow a displacement of the controlling assembly with respect to the dosing assembly. In the coupled position the spring element is configured to block a rotation of the controlling assembly with respect to the dosing assembly.