Inhalation device, method, and program
Inventors
Fujiki, Takashi • AOYAMA, Tatsunari • Kawanago, Hiroshi • Yoshida, Ryo • Yamada, Manabu
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12543783-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides an inhalation device with which it is possible to improve usability and promote users' safety and satisfaction with the inhalation device. An inhalation device according to the present invention is provided with a first member and a second member which is configured to be capable of being attached to and detached from the first member. This inhalation device includes: an active functional part which is provided to the first member; a passive functional part which is provided to the second member and which is capable of changing the state thereof according to the working of the active functional part; a sensor part which is provided to the first member and which detects a changed state of the passive functional part; and a control part which, on the basis of the detected state, determines whether the second member has been attached to the first member.
Core Innovation
An inhaler comprises a first member and a second member constructed to be attachable/detachable to/from the first member. The first member includes an active functional part, and the second member includes a passive functional part that changes its state in response to an effect applied by the active functional part. A sensor is installed in the first member and detects a state changed of the passive functional part, and a controller judges, based on the detected state, attaching of the second member to the first member.
The passive functional part in the second member is positioned to be aligned with both the active functional part and the sensor when the second member is attached to the first member. The passive functional part comprises a base and a leg extending from the base, and the base is aligned with the active functional part and the leg is aligned with the sensor when the second member is attached to the first member. The active functional part in the first member is positioned to be separated from the sensor.
A separated distance is larger than a distance between the passive functional part and the sensor in a state in which the second member is being attached to the first member. By using the state of the passive functional part detected by the sensor, the controller judges the attaching state of the second member to the first member. The aligned structure and the relative separation between the active functional part and the sensor support discrimination between attachment states.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines an inhaler architecture with an attachable/detachable second member, an active functional part, a passive functional part with state change, a sensor detecting the changed state, and a controller judging attachment based on that detected state. The independent claim includes main structural relationships: alignment of the passive functional part’s base and leg with the active functional part and the sensor, and a separated distance constraint between the active functional part and the sensor.
Attachment judgment based on sensor-detected state of passive functional part
An inhaler comprising a first member and a second member attachable/detachable to/from the first member, where the first member includes an active functional part, the second member includes a passive functional part that changes its state in response to an effect applied by the active functional part, a sensor installed in the first member detects a state changed of the passive functional part, and a controller judges, based on the detected state, attaching of the second member to the first member.
Alignment of base and leg with active functional part and sensor
Wherein the passive functional part in the second member is positioned to be aligned with both the active functional part and the sensor when the second member is attached to the first member, wherein the passive functional part comprises a base and a leg extending from the base, the base is aligned with the active functional part, and the leg is aligned with the sensor when the second member is attached to the first member.
Separated distance constraint between active functional part and sensor
Wherein the active functional part in the first member is positioned to be separated from the sensor, and the separated distance is larger than a distance between the passive functional part and the sensor in a state that the second member is being attached to the first member.
The claim coverage centers on judging whether the second member is properly attached by detecting a state change of a passive functional part with a sensor on the first member. The alignment of the base/leg relative to the active functional part and the sensor, together with a separated distance constraint distinguishing attachment states, are the main inventive features.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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