Angled Needle Module Housing for Tattoo Ink Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tattoo needle assemblies lack effective protection from bodily fluids and efficient ink delivery mechanisms, leading to potential contamination and inconsistent ink application during the tattooing process.

Innovation Solution

A needle module with a module housing that includes an ink reservoir and a needle assembly with a drive bar and angled needle grouping, allowing for reciprocation and angled contact with the housing tip to enhance capillary action and ink flow, while maintaining stability and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tattoo needle assemblies are used, then the structure is simple, but protection from bodily fluids is insufficient and ink delivery is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from bodily fluidsVSAvoidneedle assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assembly is divided into separate functional components: a needle grouping, a drive bar, and a module housing with ink reservoir. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing provides fluid protection while the needle grouping focuses on ink delivery, resolving the contradiction between protection and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle grouping is nested within the module housing, which contains the ink reservoir. This nested structure integrates multiple functions (ink storage, fluid protection, and needle delivery) into a compact unified assembly, improving protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional needle assemblies are used, then the structure is straightforward, but ink delivery consistency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink application consistencyVSAvoidneedle module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle grouping is angled relative to the drive bar axis by a specific bias angle (e.g., 5-15 degrees). This parameter change optimizes the ink delivery angle and capillary action, ensuring consistent ink flow to the skin while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Capillary action is utilized to replace complex mechanical ink delivery mechanisms. The needle grouping's angled configuration and contact with the housing tip create capillary channels that automatically draw ink from the reservoir to the needle tips, ensuring consistent delivery without complex pumping or pressure systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the needle grouping is angled relative to the housing tip, then capillary action is enhanced for better ink flow, but the alignment precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink delivery efficiencyVSAvoidneedle grouping alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle grouping is deliberately configured with an asymmetric angle relative to the drive bar axis and housing tip, rather than being perfectly aligned. This asymmetric configuration optimizes capillary action for ink flow while the angle itself becomes a standardized design parameter that simplifies alignment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 provides a protected and efficient mechanism for ink delivery, reducing contamination risks and ensuring consistent ink application by utilizing capillary action and maintaining needle stability during the tattooing process.

Implementation Method 1

a flow of ink from the needle module to the subject's skin is augmented via capillary action generated by an interface between the needle grouping and the module housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11642507B2Needle modules and associated methods

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 BLACK CLAW LLC

AI summary

Needle modules and associated methods. A needle module includes a module housing and a needle assembly operatively supported within the module housing. The module housing extends along a housing axis and includes a housing tip with a tip outlet. The needle assembly includes a drive bar extending at least partially along a drive bar axis and a needle grouping extending from the drive bar at least partially along a needle grouping axis and contacting the housing tip at a needle grouping contact location and at an angle relative to the housing tip at the needle grouping contact location. In examples, a method of assembling a needle module includes preparing a needle assembly that includes a needle grouping and a drive bar and installing the needle assembly within a module housing such that the needle grouping contacts the module housing at a needle grouping contact location.