Biological Measurement Cartridge Protective Cap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological information measurement cartridges are prone to sensor unit exposure during storage, leading to improper functioning when the storage container lid is inadvertently left open, causing other cartridges to be unusable.
Innovation Solution
A biological information measurement cartridge design featuring a protective cap with a puncture needle protector, a first sensor protector, and a second sensor protector that covers the sensor unit's depositing opening and introduction promoting hole, preventing exposure and ensuring proper measurement each time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple biological information measurement cartridges are stored together in a storage container, then storage efficiency is improved, but the sensor units may be exposed to air when the lid is left open, causing the cartridges to become unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is divided into multiple functional segments: a puncture needle protector that covers the puncture needle, a first sensor protector that covers the depositing opening, and a second sensor protector that covers the introduction promoting hole. This segmentation allows each component to be protected independently while maintaining compact storage
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is pre-attached to the cartridge main body during manufacturing, providing immediate protection for the sensor unit and puncture needle before the cartridge is used. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if the storage container lid is left open, the sensor units remain protected from air exposure
2Reliability
If a protective cap is added to cover the sensor unit components, then sensor unit protection is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protective functions are merged into a single protective cap structure. The puncture needle protector, first sensor protector, and second sensor protector are integrated into one unified component that attaches to the cartridge main body, simplifying the overall structure while providing comprehensive protection
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the puncture needle from damage, covers the depositing opening to prevent air exposure, and seals the introduction promoting hole. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components
Data Source
AI summary
A rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cartridge main body having a protective cap removably attached to a first end side thereof has a puncture needle retainer that retains a puncture needle provided at the back of a puncture opening provided on the first end side of the cartridge main body such that the puncture needle is slidable toward the puncture opening. Furthermore, a sensor unit having a depositing opening is provided on the first end side of the cartridge main body. The sensor unit has an introduction promoting hole that communicates with an introduction channel communicating with the depositing opening and that opens to the surface of the cartridge main body. The protective cap is provided with a puncture needle protector that covers the puncture needle, a sensor protector that covers the depositing opening of the sensor unit, and a sensor protector that covers the introduction promoting hole.