Detachable Application Needle Member for Contamination-Free Material Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application needle systems suffer from contamination issues when switching between different liquid materials, requiring manual cleaning methods that reduce working efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A detachable application needle member system comprising an application needle and an insertion material, where the insertion material is attachable to a fixing member, allowing for easy replacement and minimizing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the application needle is fixed to the application needle fixing plate, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the application needle cannot be replaced alone causing contamination when switching liquid materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidliquid material switching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The application needle assembly is divided into separable components: the application needle, the application needle fixing plate, and the application needle holder. The application needle can be independently removed from the fixing plate by detaching it from the holder, enabling separate replacement without affecting other components. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both structural reliability (through standardized interfaces) and adaptability (through independent replacement).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a fixed, integral structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The application needle's attachment state can change between fixed (during operation) and removable (for replacement), controlled by the operator through the holder interface. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between maintaining structural integrity during use and allowing quick replacement for different liquid materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual cleaning methods are used to prevent contamination, then contamination is suppressed, but working efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidworking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The application needle is designed as a replaceable component that can be quickly swapped out when switching liquid materials. Instead of requiring time-consuming manual cleaning with solvents or sterilization processes, the needle itself can be replaced with a fresh one, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining high working efficiency. The replaceable design makes the needle functionally disposable for different material types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables discarding the application needle after use with a specific liquid material and recovering it through replacement with a new or cleaned needle. This approach eliminates the need for in-situ cleaning operations, as the needle is discarded (removed) and a fresh one is installed, thereby preventing contamination without reducing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If the application needle is used for multiple liquid material types, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination occurs between different materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the application needle from the fixing plate and holder assembly, the system maintains low overall complexity while enabling clean switching between liquid material types. The simple modular design allows the needle to be independently replaced without complicating the fixed plate or holder structures, thus preventing contamination without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The application needle holder and fixing plate are designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate different application needles for various liquid material types. This universal design allows a single holder assembly to support multiple needle types, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices while preventing contamination through easy needle replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11654450B2Application needle member, application needle member assembly, application member, and application apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 NTN CORP

AI summary

An application needle member capable of eliminating contamination while suppressing reduction in working efficiency is an application needle member capable of applying a liquid material to an object. The application needle member comprises an application needle and an application needle insertion material. The application needle includes a tip facing the object and a bottom opposite to the tip. The application needle insertion material is attached to the bottom of the application needle. The application needle insertion material is configured to be detachably attachable to a fixing member.