Applicator Coupling Mechanism for Tool-Free Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical applicator systems face challenges in quickly and reliably disconnecting and reconnecting supply hoses from handpieces without risking leakage, making them difficult to clean and disinfect, especially in hygienic environments where multi-resistant germs are a concern.
Innovation Solution
An applicator system with a detachable handpiece and dosator connected via a fluid-tight coupling mechanism, using a threaded or pin-based connection that allows for easy disassembly and reassembly without tools, ensuring the coupling nipple is fixed within the coupling sleeve, maintaining fluid tightness even with frequent disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supply hoses are permanently connected to the handpiece, then the connection reliability is maintained, but the cleaning and disinfection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator system is divided into separable components: the handpiece can be detached from the supply hose assembly. This segmentation allows the handpiece to be quickly removed for cleaning and disinfection without handling the entire system, reducing cleaning time while maintaining connection reliability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a permanent static connection to a dynamic detachable connection. The handpiece can be quickly coupled and decoupled from the supply hose using a simple locking mechanism, enabling rapid disassembly for cleaning while ensuring reliable fluid-tight connection during use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the handpiece and dosator are permanently connected, then the system stability is improved, but the ease of cleaning and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a handpiece and a dosator with supply hose that can be separated. The dosator with integrated coupling forms a distinct module that can be detached from the handpiece, enabling easy cleaning of both components while maintaining system stability when connected for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between handpiece and dosator is made dynamically changeable through a detachable coupling mechanism with locking feature. This allows the system to switch between a stable connected state during operation and a separable state for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of disassembly.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable coupling mechanism is used, then the ease of disassembly is improved, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism extracts the essential function of connection and separation into a dedicated interface between handpiece and dosator. This specialized coupling includes sealing elements and locking features that ensure fluid-tight connection when assembled, while allowing easy detachment when needed, thus maintaining reliability despite detachability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the handpiece and dosator, providing a controlled interface for fluid transfer. This intermediary includes sealing components that prevent leakage during connection and a locking mechanism that secures the joint, enabling easy disassembly without compromising reliability.
4Reliability
If tools are required for disassembly, then the connection security is improved, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-servicing, allowing the handpiece and dosator to be coupled and decoupled by hand without requiring external tools. The locking mechanism can be manually operated to secure the connection reliably while enabling tool-free disassembly, reducing operational complexity while maintaining connection security.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3a
Figure 4a~6d
AI summary
Applicator system with an applicator (1), wherein the applicator (1) comprises a connecting piece (3), which is preferably also designed as a handpiece, as well as a dispenser (2), a supply hose (4) which supplies the applicator (1) with the substance to be applied, and a coupling part (15) connected to the hose, wherein the connecting piece (3) and the dispenser (2) are detachably, preferably detachably without tools, coupled to each other, wherein the dispenser (2) forms a coupling sleeve (17) into which the coupling nipple (16a; 16b) of a coupling part (15) connected to the supply hose (4) is inserted in a fluid-tight manner or vice versa, and wherein the coupling nipple (16a; 16b) is fixed in the coupling sleeve (17) in the longitudinal axis direction by coupling the dispenser (2) with the connecting piece (3).