CN112295050A

CN112295050A - Drive device and drug infusion device

Info

Publication number: CN112295050A
Application number: CN201910708451.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨翠军
Original assignee: Medtrum Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Medtrum Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2019-08-01
Filing date: 2019-08-01
Publication date: 2021-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-01
Also published as: CN112295050B

Abstract

The invention discloses a drug infusion device, comprising: a medicine storage unit; the driving rod can push the piston to move; the driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, and the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to move through the movement in different directions; the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions to trigger different position signals; the power unit is connected with the driving unit and applies force to the driving unit to enable the driving unit to move; and the control unit is connected with the power unit, controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signal, and enables the driving unit to move in a plurality of ranges with different widths so as to drive the driving rod to implement different strokes, thereby forming different and selectable infusion modes. Multiple infusion modes improve infusion flexibility and infusion efficiency.

Description

Drive device and drug infusion device

Technical Field

The invention mainly relates to the field of medical instruments, in particular to a driving device and a drug infusion device.

Background

The drug infusion device is a medical apparatus device which achieves the purpose of treating diseases by continuously injecting drugs into a patient. Drug infusion devices are widely used in the treatment of diabetes by continuously infusing insulin under the skin of a patient in a dose required by a human body to simulate the secretory function of the pancreas, thereby maintaining the blood sugar of the patient stable. Drug fluids are typically stored within infusion pump bodies, and existing drug infusion devices typically attach the pump body directly to the patient's body via a medical adhesive patch, and the patient operates a remote device for infusion.

When medicine infusion is carried out, the infusion mode of the existing infusion equipment cannot change the infusion step length (unit infusion amount) of the equipment, the adjustment of the infusion amount and the infusion rate is limited, the infusion process cannot be flexibly controlled, and the infusion efficiency is low. The larger or smaller drug infusion amount can cause the greater fluctuation of the body fluid level of a patient under the control of the infused drug, and the aim of more accurately controlling the body fluid level cannot be achieved.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a drug infusion device that has an infusion mode with multiple infusion steps and that can improve infusion efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention discloses a driving device and a drug infusion device.

The invention discloses a driving device, comprising: the driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, and the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to move through the movement in different directions to complete the driving process; the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions to trigger different position signals; the power unit is connected with the driving unit and applies force to the driving unit to enable the driving unit to move; and the control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive the position signal, is connected with the power unit and controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signal so that the driving unit can move in a plurality of ranges with different widths.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a driving wheel, gear teeth are arranged on the circumferential surface of the driving wheel, the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to rotate through rotation, and the driving part pushes the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to rotate.

According to one aspect of the invention, the driving wheel comprises two sub-wheels arranged at intervals, the driving unit is arranged between the two sub-wheels, and the driving unit comprises two driving parts which are respectively matched with the two sub-wheels.

According to one aspect of the invention, the drive unit comprises more than two drive portions, each drive portion cooperating with a corresponding sub-wheel.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the driving unit includes four driving parts, and the four driving parts are disposed two by two on both sides of the driving unit and are engaged with the corresponding sub-wheels.

According to one aspect of the invention, the manner in which the positioning portion interacts with the position detection area at different positions includes contact or non-contact.

According to one aspect of the invention, the position detection area comprises a plurality of contacts arranged at intervals, and the positioning parts can be respectively in electric contact with the contacts at different positions when rotating.

According to one aspect of the invention, the different contacts have different potentials, the positioning portion also has a certain potential, and when the positioning portion contacts the different contacts, the potentials of the contacts change to trigger different position signals.

According to an aspect of the invention, the drive unit comprises a positioning portion.

According to an aspect of the invention, the driving unit comprises two positioning parts, which can be respectively in electrical contact with different contacts to trigger different position signals.

According to one aspect of the invention, the position detection zone comprises a continuous electrically conductive area, and the positioning part is slidable in continuous electrical contact over the position detection zone.

According to one aspect of the invention, the continuous conductive area comprises a connection point for connecting the control unit, the position of the positioning part in contact with the position detection area is a contact point, and different position signals are triggered according to different resistances or potential differences between the connection point and the contact point.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the position detection area includes a movable conductive wall, the driving unit may start to rotate in one direction when the driving unit reaches a rotation end point in the other direction after the positioning portion contacts the conductive wall to trigger the signal, and the driving unit may rotate in a plurality of ranges having different widths by moving the conductive wall.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the position detection area includes two movable conductive walls between which the driving unit moves.

According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions in a non-contact manner, the position detection area comprises a continuous magnetic induction area or a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals, the positioning part is provided with second magnetic induction points, and the second magnetic induction points interact with the first magnetic induction points or the magnetic induction areas at different positions to trigger different position signals according to the change of the magnetic field.

According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions in a non-contact manner, the positioning part and the position detection area form different plates of the capacitor, and the positioning part rotates to different positions to cause the change of the capacitor and trigger different position signals.

Correspondingly, the invention also discloses a drug infusion device, comprising: a drug storage unit for storing a drug; the piston is arranged in the medicine storage unit, and the driving rod can push the piston to move; the driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, the driving part drives the driving rod to move, and the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to move through the movement in different directions to complete the driving process; the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions to trigger different position signals; the power unit is connected with the driving unit and applies force to the driving unit to enable the driving unit to move; and the control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive the position signal, is connected with the power unit and controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signal so that the driving unit moves in a plurality of ranges with different widths to form different and selectable infusion modes.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a driving wheel, gear teeth are arranged on the circumferential surface of the driving wheel, the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to rotate through rotation, the driving part pushes the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to rotate, the driving rod is a threaded rod, and the driving wheel pushes the driving rod to move through the threads.

According to one aspect of the invention, the different contacts have different potentials, and when the positioning portion contacts the different contacts, the potentials of the contacts change to trigger different position signals.

Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the invention has the following advantages:

the driving device comprises a position detection area and a driving unit provided with a positioning part, wherein the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions to trigger different position signals. Different position signals can be used as the rotation end points of the driving unit, so that the driving unit can stop rotating at a plurality of optional positions, and the driving flexibility is improved. In addition, the control unit controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signal, and enables the driving unit to move in a plurality of ranges with different widths. The driving unit moves in different ranges of width, so that the driven structure has multiple optional movement modes, and the driving efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, the driving device further comprises a driving wheel, gear teeth are arranged on the circumferential surface of the driving wheel, the driving unit drives the driving portion and the positioning portion to rotate through rotation, and the driving portion pushes the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to rotate. The driving method of the driving part pushing the gear teeth can control the driving process more easily. And through the design to the tooth pitch of the gear teeth, the driving distance of each time can be accurately controlled, and the controllability and the stability of the driving process can be further improved.

Further, the interaction between the positioning part and the position detection area at different positions includes contact type or non-contact type. The position of the positioning part can be sensitively and accurately detected by non-contact modes such as magnetic induction, capacitance and the like or electric contact modes. While the generated signal can easily be passed into the control unit.

Furthermore, the position detection area of the driving device comprises a movable conductive retaining wall, when the positioning part contacts the conductive retaining wall to trigger a signal, the driving unit reaches a rotation end point in one direction, the driving unit can start to rotate in the other direction, and the driving unit can rotate in a plurality of ranges with different widths by moving the conductive retaining wall. The conductive retaining wall can trigger an electric signal and can also block the rotation of the driving unit, so that the driving unit reaches a rotation end point, and the complexity of structural design is reduced. Meanwhile, the rotating range of the driving unit can be changed by moving the position of the conductive retaining wall, and the driving flexibility is improved.

Correspondingly, the invention also discloses a drug infusion device, which comprises a position detection area and a driving unit provided with a positioning part, wherein the positioning part interacts with the position detection area at different positions to trigger different position signals. The signal can be used as different rotation end points of the driving unit at different positions, so that the infusion device has multiple infusion pause options, and the infusion flexibility is improved. In addition, the control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive position signals, the control unit is connected with the power unit, and the control unit controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signals so that the driving unit moves in a plurality of ranges with different widths to form different drug infusion modes. The drug infusion device has a plurality of drug infusion modes with different and selectable infusion step lengths, different infusion modes can be selected by a patient in the process of infusing the drug once, the infusion of the drug is strictly and accurately controlled, the infusion safety is ensured, and the body fluid level of the patient can be accurately controlled.

Further, the position detection area of the drug infusion device comprises a movable conductive retaining wall, when the positioning part contacts the conductive retaining wall to trigger a signal, the driving unit reaches the rotation end point in one direction, the driving unit can start to rotate in the other direction, and the driving unit can rotate in a plurality of ranges with different widths by moving the conductive retaining wall. The conductive retaining wall can trigger an electric signal and can also block the rotation of the driving unit, so that the driving unit reaches a rotation end point, and the complexity of structural design is reduced. Meanwhile, the position of the movable conductive retaining wall can change the rotating range of the driving unit, so that the infusion device has different infusion modes, and the infusion flexibility is improved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a drug infusion device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2 a-2 b are schematic structural diagrams of a driving unit having a driving portion and a positioning portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a driving unit including four driving parts according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4 a-4 c are schematic diagrams of a position detection zone including a plurality of spaced contacts according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 a-5 b are schematic views of a position detection zone including continuous conductive areas according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 a-6 b are schematic diagrams of a structure including two position detection zones according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 a-7 b are schematic diagrams of a position detection zone for triggering a magnetic signal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of a position detection area including two movable blocking walls according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As mentioned above, the prior art drug infusion device has a single infusion mode, cannot flexibly control the infusion process, and has low infusion efficiency.

It has been found that the above problems are caused by the fact that the range and the manner of movement of the drive unit inside the device is only one, and that the drug infusion process cannot be adjusted arbitrarily under the control of the control unit.

In order to solve the problem, the present invention provides a drug infusion device, wherein a drive unit in the device has a plurality of selectable rotation ranges, so that the drug infusion device has a plurality of selectable infusion modes, the controllability of the infusion process is increased, and the drug infusion amount is more accurate.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the relative arrangement of parts and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

Further, it should be understood that the dimensions of the various elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, for example, the thickness, width, length or distance of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other structures for ease of illustration.

The following description of the exemplary embodiment(s) is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses in any way. Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail herein, but are intended to be part of the specification as applicable.

It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined or illustrated in one figure, further discussion thereof will not be required in the subsequent figure description.

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a drug infusion device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The drug infusion device of the embodiment of the present invention includes a drug storage unit 190, a piston 191, and a driving rod 192 and a driving unit 100 connected to the piston 191. The moving drive unit 100 pushes the drive rod 192, which in turn causes the drive rod 192 to advance by moving the push piston 191, completing the drug infusion.

The driving unit 100 includes a driving part 110 and a positioning part 120. The driving unit 100 drives the driving part 110 and the positioning part 120 to move by the movement, thereby completing the driving process.

The movement of the driving unit 100 includes rotation, swing (linear or non-linear), and the like. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit 100 moves by rotating. Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, the drug infusion device further comprises a shaft 170.

It should be noted that the position where the rotating shaft 170 is disposed is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present invention, as long as the condition for rotating the driving unit 100 can be satisfied. As in some embodiments of the present invention, the shaft 170 may be disposed at one end or a middle portion of the driving unit 100.

The embodiment of the present invention also does not limit the positional relationship of the positioning part 120 and the driving part 110. As in one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning portion 120 is disposed near the non-driving end of the driving portion 110, and the object of detecting the position can be achieved as well.

The drug infusion device of the embodiment of the present invention further comprises: a location detection zone 180, a power unit 160, and a control unit (not shown).

When the driving unit 100 rotates to different positions, the positioning part 120 interacts with the position detection area 180 to trigger different position signals. In embodiments of the present invention, the way in which the two interact includes contact or non-contact. Thus, the triggered position signal includes a contact signal or a non-contact signal.

The power unit 160 is used to apply a force to the driving unit 100 to move the driving unit 100. The power unit 160 is connected to the control unit, and under the control of the control unit, the power unit 160 adjusts the magnitude and direction of the acting force applied to the driving unit 100 in real time, so as to adjust the speed and movement range of the driving unit 100.

The control unit is connected to the position detection area 180 to receive the generated position signal and further control the force application manner of the power unit 160. Meanwhile, the control unit of the embodiment of the invention can also remotely receive and send infusion signals with different infusion requirements, thereby completing the infusion process. Or the control unit can automatically control the infusion process of the medicine according to the received body fluid signal without human intervention.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drug infusion device further comprises a drive wheel 130. The circumferential surface of the driving wheel 130 is provided with gear teeth (not labeled in fig. 1), and the driving unit 100 drives the driving part 110 to push the gear teeth by rotation, thereby pushing the driving wheel 130 to rotate. In embodiments of the invention, the gear teeth are ratchet teeth, facilitating pushing in only one direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving wheel 130 is connected with a driving rod 192, and the driving rod 192 is a threaded rod. The drive wheel 130 is rotated to advance the drive rod 192 through the threads, thereby completing the drug infusion.

It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, the drug infusion device may not include the driving wheel 130, and the driving portion 110 drives the driving rod 192 through other driving switching units, and the drug infusion may also be completed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving wheel includes two sub-wheels 130a and 130b spaced apart from each other, and the driving unit 100 includes two driving

parts

110a and 110b, and the two driving parts 110 are respectively engaged with the two sub-wheels. The drive unit 100 is disposed between the two sub-wheels. The left and right rotation of the driving unit 100 around the rotating shaft 170 drives the driving part 110 to alternately push the sub-wheels to rotate.

Fig. 2a and 2b are schematic structural diagrams of a driving unit 200 including only one driving portion 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2a is a schematic view of the structure as viewed in the direction of the arrow in fig. 2b, and fig. 2b is a schematic view of the structure as viewed in the direction of the arrow in fig. 2 a.

The rotating shaft 270 is disposed on a base (not shown), and the power unit 260 pulls the driving unit 200 to rotate around the rotating shaft 270, so as to drive the driving portion 210 and the positioning portion 22 to rotate. Since the driving unit 200 has only one driving part 210, only one driving wheel 230 is engaged with the driving part 210 in the embodiment of the present invention. And the driving part 210 is an elastic member that can push the gear teeth and then can slide on the gear teeth when rotating in the opposite direction. The driving wheels are not shown in fig. 2b for the sake of clarity of showing the structure of the driving unit 200.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a driving unit 300 including four driving parts 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The drug infusion device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the number of the driving portions, and may have one or two driving portions, as described above. Further, there may be three, four, and more than four. When there are two or more driving parts, the driving wheel includes two sub-wheels, as shown in fig. 1. Different driving parts are respectively matched with the corresponding sub-wheels.

As shown in fig. 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit 300 includes four driving

parts

310a, 310b, 310c, and 310 d. 310a and 310c are provided at one side of the driving unit 300, and are engaged with one sub-wheel. 310b and 310d are provided at the other side of the driving unit 300 to be engaged with another sub-wheel. Obviously, in other embodiments of the present invention, when the number of the driving portions 310 is an odd number greater than or equal to 3, the number of the driving portions disposed on both sides of the driving unit 300 is different, that is, the number of the driving portions matched with the two sub-wheels is different, and the driving requirements of the present invention can also be satisfied.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present invention, the tooth pitch of the gear teeth may be set according to the circumstances, and when the driving part on one side pushes the gear teeth, the driving part on the other side may slide on the surface of the gear teeth, and the sliding distance is less than, equal to, or greater than one tooth pitch. At this time, when the driving unit rotates in the other direction, the previously sliding driving portion can also push the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to move after a period of position adjustment, which is not limited in this respect.

The following describes in detail an embodiment in which the drive unit comprises two drive portions.

Fig. 4 a-4 c are schematic diagrams of a top view and a side view of the position detection area 180 and the positioning portion 120, respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4a is a schematic top view of the structure of fig. 4b viewed along the direction of the arrow (similar viewing angles of the structure of other embodiments are the same as those in the above, and are not repeated herein).

As shown in fig. 4 a-4 c, in an embodiment of the present invention, the location detection zone 180 includes a plurality of contacts that are spaced apart. The contacts are spherical crown shaped and are arranged at intervals to form a linear type. In another embodiment of the invention, shown in fig. 4c, the contacts are spaced in an arc.

It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, the shape and arrangement of the contacts may also include other types, which are not specifically limited as long as the condition for triggering the generation of the position signal can be satisfied.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4a to 4c, there is only one positioning part 120 and one position detection area 180, and the positioning part 120 and the position detection area 180 are disposed at one side of the driving unit 100. In other embodiments of the present invention, the positioning portion 120 and the position detection area 180 may be disposed at other positions, as long as the conditions for detecting the position and triggering the position signal can be met in cooperation with each other, and there is no particular limitation here.

Fig. 4b is a side view of the structure of fig. 4a viewed along the arrow direction (similar viewing angles of the structure of other embodiments are the same as those in the above, and are not repeated herein). When the driving unit 100 rotates to different positions, the positioning portion 120 may be in electrical contact with different contacts, and may trigger different position signals. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the potentials of the different contacts are different, and the positioning portion 120 also has a certain potential (the potential may be a negative value, 0, or a positive value). Therefore, when the positioning portion 120 contacts with different contacts, the potential of the contacts changes, or the potential difference measured at different positions changes, and an electrical signal generated by the change in the potential (difference) represents a different position signal transmitted to the control unit through the lead 181, and the control unit determines whether the driving unit 100 has reached the rotation end point in the selected infusion mode (including the infusion amount mode and/or the infusion rate mode). If the requirement of the desired infusion mode is not fulfilled, i.e. the drive unit 100 has not yet reached the end of the rotation in that direction, the control unit pulls the drive unit 100 via the power unit 160 to continue the rotation in that direction until the end of the rotation is reached. And then may be rotated in the other direction.

It will be apparent that when the desired amount of drug infusion has been reached, rotation of the drive unit 100 will be stopped after reaching the end point, and infusion will be suspended until the drive unit is instructed to perform the next infusion.

Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, different contacts have different high potentials, and the positioning portion 120 has a potential of 0 (or ground). After the positioning portion 120 is in contact with the different contacts, the control unit can receive different potential signals, the different potential signals representing different position signals, and the control unit controls the application of force by the power unit 160.

As shown in fig. 4 a-4 c, it is obvious that there are a plurality of contacts in the embodiment of the present invention, and the control unit stops rotating after receiving the instruction of the selected infusion mode according to the actual different infusion demands, and then starts rotating in the other direction after controlling the driving unit 100 to contact the specific contact through the power unit 160. By analogy, the drive unit 100 is able to complete a rotation cycle within a specified width range, thereby fulfilling the infusion needs of the selected infusion mode. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit 100 rotates within a plurality of selectable ranges with different widths, so as to drive the driving rod and the piston to move with different strokes, thereby achieving the purpose of different drug infusion amounts and drug infusion rates.

As shown in fig. 4b, the contact points of the position detection area 180 are protruded from the surface of the base (not shown) to ensure sufficient contact with the positioning portion 120. Each contact is connected to the control unit by a wire 181, which transmits an electrical signal to the control unit.

FIG. 4c is a schematic diagram of a contact structure of the position detection zone 280 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of contacts that the interval set up are the arc and arrange, and the radian of pitch arc is unanimous with location portion 220 pivoted radian. The side view corresponds to fig. 4b and is not described in further detail here.

Fig. 5a and 5b are schematic structural diagrams of a position detection area 380 and a positioning portion 320 according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the position detection area 380 includes a continuous conductive area, and the positioning portion 320 can continuously slide on the position detection area 380. As described above, the position detection area 380 and the positioning portion 320 are both one and are disposed on one side of the driving unit 100.

As shown in fig. 5b, the position detection area 380 is protruded from the surface of the base, so as to be continuously contacted with the positioning portion 320.

The position detection section 380 also includes a connection point a, from which a lead wire 381 is connected to the control unit. The position where the positioning portion 320 and the position detection section 380 are in sliding contact is a contact point b. Since the positioning portion 320 continuously contact-slides on the position detection area 380, the position of the contact point b may change with the rotation of the driving unit 100, so that the length of the range D between the connection point a and the contact point b varies. Therefore, the position signal of the drive unit 100 is determined and triggered by measuring the resistance or potential in the different ranges D between the connection point a and the contact point b. During the rotation of the driving unit 100, the range between the contact point b and the connection point a has different widths, and the measured resistance or potential is also different, and different resistance values or potential values correspond to different positions, and the electric signal can represent a position signal and be transmitted to the control unit. Thus, the drug infusion device of the present embodiment is rotatable within a plurality of different ranges of width by the drive unit 100 under the control of the control unit, such that the infusion device is provided with a plurality of different and selectable infusion modes.

It should be noted that, other embodiments of the present invention do not specifically limit the positions and the number of the connection points a, and two or more position detection areas 380 and positioning portions 320 of the continuous conductive area may be provided, so that more precise positioning may be achieved by designing a circuit to match the number of the connection points a.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, the position detection area is a continuous slide rail, and the positioning portion is engaged with the slide rail to continuously contact and slide on the slide rail. Or a groove is formed in the position detection area, and the positioning portion is matched with the groove to continuously contact and slide in the groove and trigger the position signal, which is not limited in this respect.

Fig. 6 a-6 b are schematic structural diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention including two positioning portions and two position detection areas.

The drug infusion device of the present embodiment includes two

position detection areas

480a and 480b, and two

positioning portions

420a and 420b, where each of the two

position detection areas

480a and 480b is a plurality of contacts disposed at intervals. The position detection area 480a is engaged with the positioning portion 420a, and the position detection area 480b is engaged with the positioning portion 420b, and are disposed on both sides of the driving unit 100. The manner and the working principle of the position detection area 480a and the positioning portion 420a, or the position detection area 480b and the positioning portion 420b, respectively, are the same as those described above, and are not described herein again.

As shown in fig. 6b, each contact lead-

out wire

481a or 481b is likewise connected to a control unit. The

positioning portions

420a and 420b may respectively contact different contacts to trigger different position signals. In one embodiment of the present invention, the

positioning portions

420a and 420b may contact different contacts at the same time, and the control unit may receive two position signals at the same time, which may achieve more precise positioning. In another embodiment of the present invention, during the rotation of the

positioning portions

420a and 420b, only one positioning portion may contact with a contact to trigger one position signal, and there is no case where two positioning portions simultaneously contact with different contacts to trigger two position electrical signals, and the positioning portions may also trigger the position signal to be positioned, which is not limited herein.

It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, the position detection area 480a on one side may be a continuous conductive area, while the position detection area 480b on the other side may be a plurality of contacts spaced apart from each other, or both

position detection areas

480a and 480b may be continuous conductive areas. And is not particularly limited herein.

Also in one embodiment of the invention, the positioning portion includes two

portions

420a and 420b, and there is only one position detection area, and likewise, the position detection area is a plurality of contacts or continuous conductive areas arranged at intervals. At this time, the position detection region has a wide range, and may be disposed from one side of the driving unit 100 to the other side to be in contact with the two

positioning parts

420a and 420b, respectively.

Fig. 7a and 7b are schematic structural diagrams of the position detection region 580 and the positioning portion 520 for triggering the magnetic signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The interaction between location detection zone 580 and position determination section 520 also includes a non-contact type.

As in the present embodiment, the position detection zone 580 includes a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals, and the positioning portion 520 includes a second magnetic induction point. The drive unit 100 is rotated to different positions and the second magnetic induction point interacts with the first magnetic induction point causing a change in the strength and direction of the magnetic field. At different locations, the strength and direction of the magnetic field may vary, thus triggering different magnetic signals. The magnetic signal is transmitted to the control unit through the connection line 581, and then the position signal of the rotation of the driving unit 100 is obtained.

Likewise, in other embodiments of the present invention, the position detection zone may further comprise a continuous magnetic induction zone, or as mentioned above, the drug infusion device comprises two position detection zones 580 and two positioning parts 520, and the two position detection zones 580 may simultaneously comprise a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals, or simultaneously comprise a continuous magnetic induction zone, or one magnetic induction point arranged at intervals and the other magnetic induction zone arranged at intervals. Or a wide range of position sensing zone 580 and two position determining sections 520, and is not particularly limited as long as the conditions for triggering the magnetic position signal are satisfied.

The principle and manner of controlling the rotation of the driving unit 100 by the triggered magnetic signal by the control unit are the same as those described above, and are not described herein again. In contrast to the previous triggering signal, the second magnetic induction point and the first magnetic induction point or the continuous magnetic induction zone do not need to be in direct contact with each other to trigger different magnetic position signals. In order not to affect the movement of the driving unit 100, the magnetic field strength of the first magnetic induction point, the second magnetic induction point or the continuous magnetic induction area may be small as long as the purpose of triggering generation of the magnetic signal can be achieved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the positioning portion and the position detection area are different plates of the capacitor, respectively, and have a certain distance therebetween. When the position of the positioning part is changed, the contact area between different pole plates of the capacitor is changed, so that the change of the capacitance is caused, and different position signals are triggered.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, other non-contact methods are also included to trigger the position signal, for example, by means of mutual inductance, which is not specifically limited herein, as long as the target measurement value can be changed due to the position change of the positioning portion.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 4 a-7 b, the end of the rotation of the drive unit 100 is controlled by the control unit via a position signal, rather than stopping the rotation due to some fixed arrangement of structural blocking. It is this manner of control that allows the drug infusion device of embodiments of the present invention to have multiple and selectable infusion volume modes or infusion rate modes.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a configuration including a movable position detection zone 680, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the position detection area 680 includes two movable

conductive walls

680a and 680b, and the position of the driving unit 100 that can contact the conductive walls is the positioning portion 620. The positioning part 620 rotates between the two conductive retaining walls. The control unit can control the conductive retaining wall to move. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the conductive stopper 680 can trigger the position signal and block the driving unit 100 from rotating at the same time.

After the driving unit 100 rotates, the positioning portion 620 contacts the

conductive stoppers

680a and 680b, and a position signal is triggered. The electrical signals are transmitted into the control unit via

leads

681a and 681 b. When the driving unit 100 contacts the conductive stoppers 680a and triggers the rotation end signal, the driving unit 100 may start to rotate in another direction, and the rotation range of the driving unit 100 between the conductive stoppers is S1. After the conductive walls 680a and/or 680b are moved horizontally, the rotation range of the driving unit 100 between the conductive walls is S2, obviously the width ranges of S1 and S2 are different. By analogy, by changing the position of the movable conductive wall, the drive unit 100 can be rotated in different width ranges, resulting in different and selectable drug infusion modes.

Obviously, in an embodiment of the present invention, one side of the driving unit 100 is provided with a conductive wall, and the other side can be provided with a plurality of spaced contacts, or continuous conductive regions, or magnetic induction points, or continuous magnetic induction regions as described above, and then the driving unit 100 is correspondingly provided with positioning portions matching with the contacts or the regions. Different position signals can also be triggered, leading to different and selectable drug infusion modes.

It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, the conductive wall may also adjust the rotation range of the driving unit 100 in a vertical movement manner, an oblique movement manner, or a three-dimensional space movement manner, as long as the conditions for triggering different position signals can be met, and the present invention is not limited in particular.

The drive unit in a medication delivery device is rotated once in one direction for a unit (or minimum) infusion volume of the device, also referred to as the infusion step size of the device. In an infusion device, the drive unit can only be rotated within a fixed range, the infusion step cannot be changed, and only the infusion frequency per unit infusion volume can be changed, so that the adjustment manner is very limited. The control mode of the infusion device is single, only one infusion step length is needed, and the infusion process cannot be flexibly controlled.

The drive unit of the drug infusion device according to the embodiment of the present invention has an optional and adjustable rotation range, and the drive unit rotates once in one direction in different rotation ranges, so that the amount of the drug infused by the device is different, that is, the infusion device has different infusion step sizes or has different unit infusion amounts (minimum infusion amounts). For example, when infusing insulin, the infusion step size (minimum infusion amount per unit infusion amount) can be as much as 0.2U, 0.15U, 0.1U, 0.75U, 0.05U, 0.025U, 0.01U, 0.005U, etc. Under the condition that the rotation frequency of the driving unit is not changed, the drug infusion device is provided with a plurality of different infusion volume modes, or under the different infusion volume modes, the time of one rotation period of the driving unit is the same, and the aims of different infusion volumes or infusion rates are achieved. If a large food dose needs to be infused, the patient can select the mode with a larger rotation range at the beginning of infusion, namely, the infusion mode with larger step size is selected, and the infusion is accelerated. After a period of infusion, a mode is selected in which the infusion step size is biased toward medium. When the infusion is nearly completed, selecting a mode with a smaller infusion step size and slowly infusing. Therefore, the whole infusion process is divided into different sub-processes, different infusion modes are selected in the different sub-processes, and the whole infusion process is accurately controlled. Alternatively, a different infusion mode may be selected for basal volume infusion as well. Meanwhile, the drug infusion device provided by the embodiment of the invention can also adjust the infusion rate (namely the rotation frequency of the driving unit), so that a patient can select various different infusion rates, the infusion time is saved, the infusion efficiency is improved, and the user experience is enhanced.

In summary, the present invention discloses a drug infusion device with a drive unit having a plurality of different ranges of motion, allowing the infusion device to have different and selectable infusion modes. The patient can select different infusion modes at any time according to actual conditions, or the infusion device automatically selects different infusion modes according to the body fluid information, so that the infusion efficiency is improved, the infusion process is accurately controlled, and the stability of the body fluid parameter level is kept.

Accordingly, with continued reference to fig. 2 a-8, the present invention also discloses a driving device. The driving device includes a driving unit, a power unit, a control unit, and a position detection area.

The power unit is used for applying force to the driving unit to enable the driving unit to move. The power unit is connected with the control unit, and under the control of the control unit, the power unit adjusts the magnitude and the direction of the applied acting force in real time so as to adjust the speed and the movement range of the driving unit.

The driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, and the moving driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to implement a driving effect. The motion mode of the driving unit includes rotation, swing (linear or non-linear) and the like. In particular, in an embodiment of the invention, the drive unit is moved in a rotational manner. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit further includes a rotating shaft.

The embodiment of the present invention also does not limit the positional relationship of the positioning portion and the driving portion. As in one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning portion is disposed near the non-driving end of the driving portion, and the purpose of detecting the position can also be achieved.

It should be noted that the position where the rotating shaft is provided is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present invention, as long as the condition for rotating the driving unit can be satisfied. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the rotating shaft is disposed at one end or a middle portion of the driving unit.

The position detection area is used for interacting with the positioning part to trigger a position signal. When the driving unit rotates to different positions, the positioning part interacts with the position detection area to trigger different position signals. In an embodiment of the present invention, the manner in which the two interact includes contact or non-contact, and therefore, the triggered position signal includes a contact signal or a non-contact signal.

The control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive the position signal and further control the force application mode of the power unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drive device further comprises a drive wheel. The circumferential surface of the driving wheel is provided with gear teeth (not marked), and the driving unit drives the driving part to push the gear teeth through rotation so as to push the driving wheel to rotate. In embodiments of the invention, the gear teeth are ratchet teeth, facilitating pushing in only one direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the driving wheel is connected with a driving rod, and the driving rod is a threaded rod. The driving wheel pushes the driving rod to advance through the threads after rotating.

It should be noted that in other embodiments of the invention, the drive device may not comprise a drive wheel, and the drive section interacts with the drive rod via another drive conversion unit.

In the embodiment of the invention, the driving wheel comprises two sub-wheels which are arranged at intervals, and the driving unit comprises two driving parts which are respectively matched with the two sub-wheels. The driving unit is arranged between the two sub-wheels. The driving unit rotates left and right around the rotating shaft to drive the driving part to alternately push the sub-wheels to rotate.

Fig. 2 a-2 b are schematic structural diagrams of a driving unit 200 including only one driving part 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The driving device according to the embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the number of the driving portions, and may have one or two driving portions, as described above. Further, there may be three, four, and more than four. When there are two or more driving parts, the driving wheel includes two sub-wheels. Different driving parts are respectively matched with the corresponding sub-wheels.

parts

It should be noted here that in the embodiments of the present invention, the tooth pitch of the gear teeth may be set according to circumstances, and when the driving part on one side pushes the gear teeth, the driving part on the other side may slide on the surface of the gear teeth, and the sliding distance may be less than, equal to, or greater than one tooth pitch. At this time, when the driving unit rotates in the other direction, the previously sliding driving portion can also push the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to move after a period of position adjustment, which is not limited in this respect.

Fig. 4 a-4 c are schematic diagrams of a top view and a side view of the position detection area 180 and the positioning portion 120, respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in fig. 4b, when the driving unit 100 rotates to a different position, the positioning portion 120 may be in electrical contact with a different contact, and may trigger a different position signal. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the potentials of the different contacts are different, and the positioning portion 120 also has a certain potential (the potential may be a negative value, 0, or a positive value). Therefore, when the positioning portion 120 contacts with different contacts, the potential of the contacts changes, or the potential difference measured at different positions changes, and an electrical signal generated by the change in the potential (difference) represents a different position signal transmitted to the control unit through the wire 181, and the control unit determines whether the driving unit 100 has reached the rotation end point in the selected rotation mode. If the requirement of the required rotation pattern is not satisfied, i.e., the drive unit 100 has not reached the rotation end point of the direction, the control unit pulls the drive unit 100 by the power unit 160 to continue rotating in the direction until the rotation end point is reached. And then may be rotated in the other direction.

Obviously, when the driving unit 100 rotates to a certain end point, the rotation is stopped until the driving unit executes the next rotation command.

As shown in fig. 4 a-4 c, it is obvious that there are a plurality of contacts in the embodiment of the present invention, and according to the actual different rotation range requirements, the control unit receives the command of the selected rotation mode, controls the driving unit 100 to contact a specific contact through the power unit 160, stops rotating, and then starts rotating in the other direction. By analogy, the drive unit 100 is able to complete a rotation cycle only within a specific width range, thereby completing the rotation requirement of the selected motion pattern. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit 100 rotates in a plurality of selectable ranges with different widths, so that the driving device has a plurality of different rotation modes.

FIG. 4c is a schematic diagram of a contact structure of the position detection zone 280 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of contacts that the interval set up are the arc and arrange, and the radian of pitch arc is unanimous with location portion 220 pivoted radian.

Fig. 5a and 5b are schematic structural diagrams of a position detection area 380 and a positioning portion 320 in a driving device according to another embodiment of the invention.

The position detection section 380 also includes a connection point a, from which a lead wire 381 is connected to the control unit. The position where the positioning portion 320 and the position detection section 380 are in sliding contact is a contact point b. Since the positioning portion 320 continuously contact-slides on the position detection area 380, the position of the contact point b may change with the rotation of the driving unit 100, so that the length of the range D between the connection point a and the contact point b varies. The position signal of the drive unit 100 is thus determined and triggered by measuring the resistance or the potential in the different ranges D between the connection point a and the contact point b. During the rotation of the driving unit 100, the range between the contact point b and the connection point a has different widths, and the measured resistance or potential is also different, and different resistance values or potential values correspond to different positions, and the electric signal can represent a position signal and be transmitted to the control unit. Therefore, under the control of the control unit, the driving unit 100 of the driving device of the embodiment of the invention can move in a plurality of ranges with different widths, so that the driving device has a plurality of different and selectable rotation modes.

Fig. 6 a-6 b are schematic structural diagrams illustrating a driving unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes two positioning portions and two position detection areas.

The driving unit 100 of the driving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes two

position detection areas

480a and 480b, and two

positioning portions

420a and 420b, where each of the two

position detection areas

As shown in fig. 6b, each contact lead-

out wire

481a or 481b is likewise connected to a control unit. The

positioning portions

420a and 420b, only one positioning portion may contact with a contact to trigger one position signal, and there is no case where two positioning portions simultaneously contact with different contacts to trigger two position electrical signals.

position detection areas

Also in one embodiment of the invention, the positioning portion includes two

portions

positioning parts

420a and 420b, respectively.

Likewise, in other embodiments of the present invention, the position detection area may further include a continuous magnetic induction area, or as mentioned above, the driving device includes two position detection areas 580 and two positioning portions 520, and the two position detection areas 580 may include a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals at the same time, or include a continuous magnetic induction area at the same time, or include one magnetic induction point arranged at intervals and another magnetic induction area at a continuous magnetic induction area. Or a wide range of position sensing zone 580 and two position determining sections 520, and is not particularly limited as long as the conditions for triggering the magnetic position signal are satisfied.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the positioning portion and the position detection area are plates with different capacitances, and a certain distance is provided between the positioning portion and the position detection area. When the position of the positioning part is changed, the contact area between different polar plates of the capacitor is changed, so that the change of the capacitor is caused, and different position signals are triggered.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 4 a-7 b, the end of the rotation of the drive unit 100 is controlled by the control unit via a position signal, rather than stopping the rotation due to some fixedly arranged structural blockage. It is this manner of control that allows the drive of embodiments of the present invention to have multiple and selectable modes of motion.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a driving apparatus including a movable position detection area 680 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

conductive walls

After the driving unit 100 rotates, the positioning portion 620 contacts the

conductive stoppers

leads

681a and 681 b. When the driving unit 100 contacts the conductive stoppers 680a and triggers the rotation end signal, the driving unit 100 may start to rotate in another direction, and the rotation range of the driving unit 100 between the conductive stoppers is S1. After the conductive walls 680a and/or 680b are moved horizontally, the rotation range of the driving unit 100 between the conductive walls is S2, obviously the width ranges of S1 and S2 are different. By analogy, by changing the position of the movable conductive wall, the drive unit 100 can be rotated in different width ranges, resulting in different and selectable motion patterns.

In summary, the driving device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention has a plurality of selectable motion ranges under the control of the control unit, and the driving mode can be flexibly controlled, thereby improving the driving efficiency.

Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of illustration, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above illustration is only for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drive device, comprising:

the driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, and the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to move through the movement in different directions to complete the driving process;

a position detection area with which the positioning part interacts at different positions to trigger different position signals;

the power unit is connected with the driving unit and applies force to the driving unit to enable the driving unit to move; and

the control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive the position signal, the control unit is connected with the power unit, and the control unit controls the force application direction of the power unit according to the position signal so that the driving unit can move in a plurality of ranges with different widths.

2. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a driving wheel, wherein a circumferential surface of the driving wheel is provided with gear teeth, the driving unit rotates the driving portion and the positioning portion, and the driving portion pushes the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to rotate.

3. The driving device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving wheel comprises two sub-wheels spaced apart from each other, the driving unit is disposed between the two sub-wheels, and the driving unit comprises two driving portions respectively engaged with the two sub-wheels.

4. The drive arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive unit comprises more than two drive portions, each of which cooperates with a corresponding one of the sub-wheels.

5. The driving device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the driving unit comprises four driving portions, and the four driving portions are arranged on two sides of the driving unit and are matched with the corresponding sub-wheels.

6. The drive device according to claim 5, wherein the manner in which the positioning portion interacts with the position detection area at different positions includes a contact type or a non-contact type.

7. The driving device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the position detection area comprises a plurality of contacts arranged at intervals, and the positioning portions can be respectively electrically contacted with the contacts at different positions when rotating.

8. The driving device as claimed in claim 7, wherein different contacts have different potentials, and the positioning portion has a certain potential, and when the positioning portion contacts different contacts, the potentials of the contacts change to trigger different position signals.

9. The drive of claim 8, wherein the drive unit includes a positioning portion.

10. The drive device according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive unit comprises two positioners, which can be brought into electrical contact with different contacts, respectively, for triggering different position signals.

11. The drive of claim 6, wherein the position detection zone comprises a continuous electrically conductive area, the detent being continuously electrically slidable on the position detection zone.

12. The driving device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the continuous conductive area comprises a connection point for connecting the control unit, the position of the positioning portion contacting the position detection area is a contact point, and different position signals are triggered according to different resistances or potential differences between the connection point and the contact point.

13. The driving device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the position detecting area includes a movable conductive wall, when the positioning portion contacts the conductive wall to trigger a signal, the driving unit reaches a rotation end point in one direction, the driving unit can start to rotate in another direction, and the driving unit can rotate within a plurality of ranges with different widths by moving the conductive wall.

14. The driving apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the position detection area includes two movable conductive walls, and the driving unit moves between the two conductive walls.

15. The drive device according to claim 6, wherein the positioning portion interacts with the position detection area at different positions in a non-contact manner, the position detection area includes a continuous magnetic induction area or a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals, the positioning portion is provided with a second magnetic induction point, and at different positions, the second magnetic induction point interacts with the first magnetic induction point or the continuous magnetic induction area to trigger different position signals according to the change of the magnetic field.

16. The driving device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the positioning portion interacts with the position detection area at different positions in a non-contact manner, the positioning portion and the position detection area form different plates of a capacitor, and the rotation of the positioning portion to different positions causes a change in the capacitor, which triggers different position signals.

17. A drug infusion device, comprising:

a drug storage unit for storing a drug;

the piston is arranged in the medicine storage unit, and the driving rod can push the piston to move;

the driving unit comprises a driving part and a positioning part, the driving part drives the driving rod to move, and the driving unit drives the driving part and the positioning part to move through the movement in different directions to complete the driving process;

the control unit is connected with the position detection area to receive the position signal, the control unit is connected with the power unit, and according to the position signal, the control unit controls the force application direction of the power unit to enable the driving unit to move in a plurality of ranges with different widths so as to form different and selectable infusion modes.

18. The drug infusion device of claim 17, further comprising a driving wheel, wherein the driving wheel is provided with gear teeth on a circumferential surface thereof, the driving unit rotates the driving part and the positioning part, the driving part pushes the gear teeth to drive the driving wheel to rotate, the driving rod is a threaded rod, and the driving wheel pushes the driving rod to move through the threads.

19. A drug infusion device as in claim 18, wherein the drive wheel comprises two spaced apart sub-wheels, and wherein the drive unit is disposed between the two sub-wheels, and wherein the drive unit comprises two drive portions, each of the two drive portions cooperating with a respective one of the two sub-wheels.

20. The drug infusion device of claim 19, wherein the drive unit comprises more than two drive portions, each drive portion cooperating with a corresponding sub-wheel.

21. The drug infusion device of claim 20, wherein the drive unit comprises four drive portions, and the four drive portions are arranged on two sides of the drive unit and are matched with the corresponding sub-wheels.

22. The drug infusion device of claim 21 wherein the manner in which the locator portion interacts with the location detection zone at different locations includes contact or non-contact.

23. The drug infusion device of claim 22, wherein the position detection zone comprises a plurality of spaced contacts, and the detent is configured to be in electrical contact with the contacts at different positions when rotated.

24. The drug infusion device of claim 23, wherein different ones of the contacts have different electrical potentials, the electrical potentials of the contacts changing when the detent contacts different ones of the contacts to trigger different position signals.

25. The drug infusion device of claim 24, wherein the drive unit comprises a detent.

26. The drug infusion device of claim 24, wherein the drive unit comprises two detents that may be respectively in electrical contact with different contacts to trigger different position signals.

27. The drug infusion device of claim 22, wherein the location detection zone comprises a continuous conductive area, the detent being continuously slidable in electrical contact over the location detection zone.

28. The drug infusion device of claim 27, wherein the continuous conductive area comprises a connection point for connecting the control unit, the location where the positioning part contacts the location detection area is a contact point, and different location signals are triggered according to differences in resistance or potential difference between the connection point and the contact point.

29. The drug infusion device of claim 22, wherein the position detection area comprises a movable conductive wall, when the positioning portion contacts the conductive wall to trigger a signal, the driving unit reaches a rotation end point in one direction, the driving unit can start to rotate in the other direction, and the driving unit can rotate in a plurality of ranges with different widths by moving the conductive wall.

30. The drug infusion device of claim 29, wherein said position detection zone comprises two movable said electrically conductive walls, said drive unit moving between said two electrically conductive walls.

31. The drug infusion device of claim 22, wherein the positioning portion interacts with the position detection area at different positions in a non-contact manner, wherein the position detection area comprises a continuous magnetic induction area or a plurality of first magnetic induction points arranged at intervals, and wherein the positioning portion is provided with second magnetic induction points which interact with the first magnetic induction points or the magnetic induction areas at different positions to trigger different position signals according to changes of a magnetic field.

32. The drug infusion device of claim 22, wherein the detent interacts with the location detection zone at different locations in a non-contact manner, the detent and the location detection zone forming different plates of a capacitor, rotation of the detent to different locations causing a change in the capacitor, triggering different location signals.