Auto-Injector Safety Cap Segmentation for Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection devices often lead to misorientation during the injection process, resulting in potential unwanted puncture injuries due to the design that allows the safety cap to be completely removed, confusing users about the correct end to apply the injection.
Innovation Solution
The injection device features a security assembly with a guide arrangement that limits the axial adjustment path of the safety cap, keeping it attached to the base housing even in the release position, and includes an actuation cap with locking means to ensure proper orientation and prevent misorientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the safety cap is designed to be completely removed from the base housing, then the user can easily access the injection mechanism, but the user may become confused about the correct orientation and cause misorientation during injection
Solution Approach 1:
The safety cap is segmented into two functional parts: a removable actuating cap that provides access to the release mechanism, and a retained locking cap that maintains orientation guidance. This segmentation allows the user to remove the actuating cap for access while the locking cap remains to prevent misorientation confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking cap serves as an intermediary element that remains between the user and the base housing after the actuating cap is removed. It acts as a visual and physical mediator that confirms correct orientation without blocking access to the release mechanism through the opening in its cap wall.
2Reliability
If the safety cap is kept attached to the base housing in the release position, then misorientation is prevented, but the user cannot remove the cap-shaped component as previously done
Solution Approach 1:
The safety cap is divided into a removable actuating cap and a retained locking cap. The actuating cap can be removed for access, while the locking cap remains attached to maintain orientation guidance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing partial removal rather than complete removal or complete retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-cap design to a two-cap design, adding a dimensional layer to the safety cap structure. This allows different parts of the cap to have different retention characteristics, enabling both removal for access and retention for orientation guidance simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in the cap wall of the locking cap, then the locking pin can engage the retaining arm, but the structural integrity of the cap is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cap wall has different local qualities: most of the cap wall maintains full structural integrity, while a localized opening is provided specifically for locking pin engagement. This local modification provides the necessary functionality without significantly compromising the overall structural strength of the cap.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an auto-injector with a base housing (2), a carpule (6), a needle arrangement (7), at least one drive assembly (8), and a securing assembly (9) which secures the drive assembly (8) in its position with respect to the base housing (2) until activated for the injection procedure. The securing assembly (9) comprises a securing cap (12) with a cap jacket (14), a cap wall (15), and a securing pin (16) arranged inside the cap jacket (14). Arranged between the securing cap (12) and the base housing (2) is a guide arrangement (17) with a first and a second guide element (19, 20), which guide elements (19, 20) define an adjustment path (18) delimited in the axial direction on the side directed away from the distal end (3). In its release position, the securing cap (12) is still arranged and held on the base housing (2).