Dispensing Mechanism for Test Strips Using Unidirectional Spring Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing mechanisms for measurement strips require users to reverse the direction of a dispense button to prepare the next strip, which can lead to contamination and is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing mechanism featuring a spring with a guide slot that allows for one-way rotation, enabling the dispensing of measurement strips without reversing the rotational direction, along with a thumb wheel for easy rotation and a second spring to automatically position the next strip, ensuring efficient and contamination-free dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dispense button mechanism is used, then measurement strips can be dispensed, but the user must reverse the direction of the button to prepare the next strip which is inconvenient and may lead to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bidirectional button mechanism into a unidirectional spring rotation system. Instead of requiring the user to push and then pull the button back, the spring rotates in one direction to dispense the strip and then automatically returns to its initial position through the guide slot's second section, eliminating the need for user reversal action and preventing contamination of unused strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism performs self-service by automatically returning to its initial position after dispensing a strip. The guide slot's second section guides the engagement section back to its starting position without user intervention, allowing the system to prepare for the next dispensing cycle automatically while keeping unused strips undisturbed and uncontaminated.
2Device complexity
If the spring rotates freely in both directions, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot prevent reverse rotation which would interfere with strip dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slot is designed with asymmetric geometry, featuring a first section for forward rotation and a second section for automatic return. This asymmetric path allows the spring to rotate freely in the forward direction for dispensing while preventing reverse rotation that would interfere with strip placement, achieving both simplicity and reliability through geometric constraint rather than complex mechanical components.
3Productivity
If the engagement section remains engaged with measurement strips during rotation, then dispensing is efficient, but it may interfere with the path of subsequent strips
Solution Approach 1:
The spring's rotation follows a periodic cycle: the engagement section engages the strip during forward rotation for efficient dispensing, then disengages during the automatic return phase through the second section of the guide slot. This periodic engagement and disengagement ensures that the engagement section is clear of the strip path when not actively dispensing, preventing interference with subsequent strips while maintaining dispensing efficiency.
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 allows for efficient and contamination-free dispensing of measurement strips by eliminating the need to reverse the rotational direction, ensuring easy access and minimizing user interaction with unused strips, thus maintaining strip cleanliness and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring rotatably arranged with respect to the strip cartridge, the spring comprising at least one engagement section adapted to engage one of the measurement strips at a time and move it out of the dispensing slot when the spring is rotated
Implementation Method 2
a guide slot arranged in the strip cartridge for guiding the engagement section of the spring as the spring is rotated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing mechanism (6) for dispensing measurement strips (13), comprising: - a strip cartridge (7) with an enclosure for retaining a plurality of measurement strips (13) and a dispensing slot (10) for dispensing one measurement strip (13) at a time, - a spring (11) rotatably arranged with respect to the strip cartridge (7), the spring (11) comprising at least one engagement section (11.1) adapted to engage one of the measurement strips (13) at a time and move it out of the dispensing slot (10) when the spring (11) is rotated, - a guide slot (12) arranged in the strip cartridge (7) for guiding the engagement section (11.1) of the spring (11) as the spring (11) is rotated.