Cartridge Retaining Tray with Plunger Support Post
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for storing medical buffer cartridges struggle to maintain the stability of the cartridges by preventing plunger movement due to internal pressure variations, which can lead to instability and potential damage during storage.
Innovation Solution
A tray design with recesses and protruding retaining members that include a post to contact the plunger, ensuring it remains stationary, and radially compressing the cartridge to maintain balanced pressure without bottom contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge is stored in a conventional tray without a post, then the cartridge can be easily inserted and removed, but the plunger may move due to internal pressure variations causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a post as an intermediary element between the tray and the cartridge plunger. This post acts as a mediator that provides support to the plunger, preventing it from moving due to internal pressure variations. The post is a simple structural addition that does not significantly complicate the tray design while effectively solving the plunger stability problem.
2Reliability
If the cartridge is tightly retained in the tray, then the cartridge stability is improved, but the tray manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible retaining members that can elastically deform to accommodate the cartridge. These retaining members are designed to be flexible enough to allow easy cartridge insertion and removal, while still providing sufficient retention force to maintain cartridge stability. The flexibility of these members simplifies the manufacturing process compared to rigid retention mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the plunger is allowed to move freely, then the cartridge can adapt to pressure changes, but the cartridge stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing support only at the plunger end of the cartridge through the post, while leaving the rest of the cartridge body free to adapt to pressure changes. This localized support mechanism prevents plunger movement and maintains cartridge stability without restricting the overall pressure adaptation capability of the cartridge system.
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 tray effectively retains the cartridges in a stable position, preventing plunger movement and maintaining internal pressure, thus ensuring the cartridges remain secure and undamaged during storage.
Implementation Method 1
the or each recess having an upwardly, along the engagement axis, extending post located therein, each recess further comprising a plurality of protruding retaining members extending radially from said side wall into the recess
Implementation Method 2
the post is configured to contact the plunger of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted in the recess, such that each cartridge being spaced from a bottom wall of said recess
Data Source
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Figure 8
AI summary
A tray comprising a plurality of recesses, each recess being surrounded by a side wall, each recess having an upwardly extending post located therein, a plurality of protruding retaining members extending from the side wall, at least one cartridge placed over one of the posts, the cartridge being retained therein by the plurality of protruding retaining members, each cartridge being spaced from a bottom wall of the recess.