Acupuncture Cartridge Catch Step and Magnetic Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consecutive acupuncture devices face malfunctions due to needle arrangement disruptions from external vibrations and frequent acupuncture angle variations, as well as loading issues caused by magnetic force attraction at the charge slot entrance, leading to inefficiencies and user anxiety during needle administration.
Innovation Solution
A consecutive acupuncture device with a magnetic force generator that pivots or slides to control needle loading, featuring a second magnet for upward attraction and a catch step in the charge slot to prevent neighboring needles from being discharged with the struck needle, along with a design that prevents the cartridge from separating from the device body, ensuring smooth needle alignment and loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If needles are attracted to the striking position by magnetic force, then needle loading is enabled, but bottleneck phenomenon occurs at the charge slot entrance causing loading failure
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the needle storage space and the charge slot. This guide structure includes a guide groove that directs needles from the storage space to the charge slot, preventing direct attraction at the slot entrance that causes the bottleneck phenomenon. The guide structure mediates the magnetic attraction process, ensuring smooth needle flow without clogging.
2Productivity
If the hammer plunger strikes the needle for administration, then needle insertion is achieved, but the hammer plunger serves as a fulcrum when returned causing needle arrangement disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum function is extracted from the hammer plunger and transferred to a dedicated fulcrum structure. The hammer plunger is designed to strike the needle without serving as the fulcrum during return motion. A separate fulcrum element is provided that guides the hammer plunger's return path, preventing the hammer plunger from acting as a fulcrum that would disrupt needle arrangement in the charge slot.
3Productivity
If the cartridge is designed for sequential needle loading, then consecutive acupuncture is enabled, but the cartridge may separate from the device body during use
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism between the cartridge and device body is designed with dynamic locking features that engage during needle administration. The cartridge includes protrusions that fit into corresponding recesses in the device body, with spring-loaded locking elements that secure the cartridge in place during use. This dynamic attachment system maintains reliable connection during consecutive needle administration while allowing easy installation and removal.
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 solution enhances the reliability of the device by preventing needle arrangement disruptions and loading failures, allowing for efficient and anxiety-free acupuncture administration, with improved needle alignment and reduced pain due to instantaneous striking.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic force generator having a first magnet mounted therein such that a magnetic force does not exert an influence on the needles stored in the cartridge while the cartridge is mounted in the mounting hole, but exerts an influence on the needles stored in the cartridge after the cartridge is mounted
Implementation Method 2
a second magnet located on one side of the acupuncture device body corresponding to an upper part of the cartridge mounted in the mounting hole and attracting the needles in an upward direction such that tips of the needles stored in the cartridge do not touch a bottom of the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for a consecutive acupuncture device includes a needle storage space in which at least one needle is stored, a charge slot serving as a passage for connecting the needle storage space with a striking position in order to allow sequentially loading of the needles at the striking position, and a catch step formed on at least part of the charge slot in order to prevent the neighboring needle from being discharged together when the needle is loaded at the striking position and then is struck and administered.