Deformable Sensor Probe for Injection Device Assembly Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices cause significant mechanical stress on medicament containers during assembly, leading to potential damage and making it difficult to quantify the mechanical load applied, which can affect the reliability and safety of the device.

Innovation Solution

A measurement probe with deformable sensor tabs and integrated sensor elements is designed to mimic the shape of a medicament container, allowing for precise measurement of radial forces applied during assembly, providing quantitative data on mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cartridge holder and body are connected using snap features during assembly, then the assembly process is simplified and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but significant mechanical stress is applied to the cartridge leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical stress on cartridge

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement probe is installed in the cartridge holder before the cartridge is inserted. This preliminary action allows the mechanical stress generated during assembly to be measured and recorded, enabling subsequent optimization of the assembly process to reduce stress on the cartridge while maintaining assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement probe acts as an intermediary element between the cartridge holder and the cartridge. It mimics the cartridge's outer shape and mechanical properties, allowing accurate measurement of the mechanical stress transmitted through the snap features during assembly without directly affecting the actual cartridge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the mechanical load on the cartridge during assembly is not measured, then the assembly process remains simple, but the reliability and safety of the device cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement probe is designed as a simplified copy of the actual cartridge, replicating its outer shape and mechanical characteristics. This copying approach enables accurate stress measurement while keeping the measurement system relatively simple and the probe easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement probe serves multiple functions: it mimics the cartridge's mechanical properties for accurate stress measurement, provides a standardized interface for measurement, and enables both qualitative and quantitative assessment of assembly forces, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If a measurement probe is inserted into the cartridge holder to measure mechanical stress, then quantitative data on mechanical load is obtained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stress measurement accuracyVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical stress measurement systems with a simpler approach using a deformable measurement probe that directly experiences the mechanical load. The deformation of the probe itself serves as the measurement signal, eliminating the need for complex sensors and measurement equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 measurement probe effectively quantifies mechanical stress on medicament containers, enabling the design of injection devices to reduce stress and improve the reliability and safety of the assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one sensor tab is deformable in a radial direction. The at least one sensor element is configured to measure a deformation of the at least one sensor tab

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11878146B2Measurement probe for an injection device

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 SANOFI SA(FR)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a measurement probe for measuring a mechanical load. The measurement probe includes: an elongated body comprising a tubular portion configured for insertion into a cartridge holder of an injection device, a sensor tab arranged on or integrated into the elongated body, wherein the sensor tab comprises an outside surface portion, an inside surface portion and an outer abutment section, wherein the outer abutment section is configured to abut with an inside of a sidewall of the cartridge holder and wherein the sensor tab is deformable in a radial direction, a sensor element mechanically connected to the at least one sensor tab and configured to measure a deformation of the at least one sensor tab.