Autoinjector Trigger Arm Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Current autoinjectors are complex, costly, and environmentally impactful due to their multiple components, large size, and complex assembly processes, which increases manufacturing and storage costs and environmental footprint.

Innovation Solution

A simplified autoinjector design featuring a housing with a pre-filled syringe, a drive chassis biased by a spring, and a release mechanism comprising a trigger arm and stop feature, minimizing components and size, allowing for swift activation and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simplified autoinjector design with fewer components is used, then manufacturing cost and environmental impact are reduced, but device complexity and reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddevice reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism is integrated into the drive chassis by providing the trigger arm as an integral part of the drive chassis, eliminating the need for separate release mechanism components. This merging reduces part count and assembly steps while maintaining the release function through the engagement of the trigger arm with the stop feature in the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger arm serves multiple functions: it acts as both the release mechanism trigger and a structural component of the drive chassis. The trigger limb accommodates the drive spring while the trigger arm extends to engage the stop feature, allowing a single component to perform multiple critical functions in the activation sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If the autoinjector size is reduced to minimize storage volume, then storage and transport efficiency improve, but the number of components and assembly complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism is integrated into the drive chassis by providing the trigger arm as an integral part of the drive chassis, eliminating the need for separate release mechanism components. This merging reduces part count and assembly steps while maintaining the release function through the engagement of the trigger arm with the stop feature in the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger limb of the drive chassis is configured to accommodate the drive spring within its structure, nesting the spring inside the chassis framework. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall device volume by eliminating separate housing spaces for the spring while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Loss of substance

If fewer components are used in the autoinjector, then material usage and manufacturing cost are reduced, but assembly complexity may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism is integrated into the drive chassis by providing the trigger arm as an integral part of the drive chassis, eliminating the need for separate release mechanism components. This merging reduces part count and assembly steps while maintaining the release function through the engagement of the trigger arm with the stop feature in the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces material usage, manufacturing costs, and environmental impact while enabling efficient and reliable medicament dispensing with a reduced number of components and simplified assembly, leading to cost-effective and environmentally friendly single-use autoinjectors.

Implementation Method 1

a drive chassis mounted in the housing, the drive chassis being biased with respect to the housing by a drive spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250001082A1Autoinjector, method of activating an autoinjector and method of assembling an autoinjector

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

An autoinjector includes a housing in which a pre-filled syringe is arranged, a drive chassis mounted in the housing, the drive chassis being biased with respect to the housing by a drive spring, the drive chassis further being fixed with respect to the housing and with respect to a movement relative to the housing in a storage state of the autoinjector, the autoinjector including a release mechanism, the release mechanism comprising a trigger arm engaging a stop feature present in the housing in the storage state of the autoinjector, and the trigger arm is to be disengaged from the stop feature on activation of the autoinjector.