Ball Lock Assembly Retention Pin Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball lock assemblies in injection devices suffer from imprecise control due to threaded connections allowing movement, potential separation, and deformation, leading to operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A ball lock assembly with a retention pin anchored at multiple points within a ball lock frame, eliminating threaded connections and ensuring axial alignment, using a resilient member to maintain locked and unlocked positions, and utilizing pressurized gas for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a threaded connection (screw) is used to control ball lock core movement, then the ball lock assembly can be manufactured with simpler structure, but the connection precision deteriorates due to thread play and movement between male and female threads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded connection (screw) from the ball lock assembly, extracting the source of imprecision. The retention pin is directly anchored to the ball lock frame without threads, eliminating thread play and the associated movement that compromised positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical connection system with a direct mechanical anchoring system. The retention pin is anchored at multiple points to the ball lock frame, substituting the threaded interface with a robust direct attachment that eliminates relative movement and ensures precise control of ball lock core positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If a threaded connection is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential separation and deformation under repetitive impact
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded connection is extracted from the design, removing the vulnerability to separation and deformation. The retention pin anchored at multiple points creates a more reliable connection that cannot separate or deform under the repetitive impacts experienced during injection cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention pin is preliminarily anchored at multiple points to the ball lock frame before the ball lock core operates. This pre-anchoring establishes a rigid, deformation-resistant connection that can withstand the repetitive impacts without separating or deforming, ensuring long-term reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single-point threaded connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates causing the ball lock core to stop between locked and unlocked positions
Solution Approach 1:
The single-point connection is segmented into multiple anchoring points. The retention pin is anchored at multiple locations along its length to the ball lock frame, distributing the load and ensuring precise alignment. This segmentation prevents the ball lock core from stopping between positions by eliminating the pivot point that caused imprecision.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is extended from a single point to multiple points along the retention pin's length. This dimensional change from point-contact to distributed line-contact anchoring eliminates the pivot point effect, ensuring the ball lock core moves precisely between locked and unlocked positions without stopping in intermediate locations.
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
Enhances structural integrity and alignment, preventing deformation and separation, ensuring precise and reliable operation of the ball lock mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member to maintain locked and unlocked positions
Implementation Method 2
utilizing pressurized gas for controlled movement
Data Source
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AI summary
In an aspect, the present invention is directed to a ball lock assembly comprising a retention pin for use with an injection device. The ball lock assembly includes a ball lock frame and a ball lock core housed within the ball lock frame that includes a longitudinal opening within which a portion of the pin is positioned. In other aspect, the present invention is directed to an injection device that includes the ball lock assembly of the present invention and a method of using the same.