Dispensing Gun Cartridge Locking and Single-Stroke Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing guns for dental restoration materials lack secure locking mechanisms and ergonomic design, leading to potential material loss and incomplete dispensing of contents from cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing gun with a frame, handle, and lever system that securely locks cartridges via opposite locking wings, allowing for efficient extrusion of all material in a single stroke through a piston mechanism, enhancing ergonomic operation and minimizing material loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional dispensing gun without locking means is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cartridge cannot be securely locked leading to potential material loss and unsafe handling
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge base section is divided into two opposite locking wings that can be independently engaged with the injection gate, allowing secure locking while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate functional element - the locking wings on the cartridge base section that engage with corresponding features on the injection gate, independent from the main dispensing mechanism
2Productivity
If a dispensing device requiring multiple lever operations is used, then the material can be dispensed, but the device is not ergonomic and cannot dispense the whole material
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is pre-positioned in the actuating state at a non-zero distance from the distal end of the injection gate before cartridge connection, enabling complete material extrusion in a single stroke without requiring multiple operations
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism provides dynamic control of the piston movement, allowing the practitioner to operate the lever in a single continuous motion to achieve complete material dispensing, improving both ergonomics and productivity
3Reliability
If the piston is positioned at zero distance from the injection gate distal end, then material extrusion may start prematurely, but positioning at non-zero distance requires precise initialization
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is pre-positioned in the actuating state at a defined non-zero distance from the distal end of the injection gate before cartridge connection, preventing premature extrusion while simplifying the overall positioning mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism automatically maintains the piston in the correct actuating position relative to the injection gate through its mechanical geometry, eliminating the need for separate positioning controls
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 dispensing gun ensures secure handling and complete dispensing of material from cartridges with improved ergonomics, reducing the risk of material loss and facilitating efficient dental restoration procedures.
Implementation Method 1
under the action of a thrust force applied on the lever, the lever is positioned in an actuating state... under the action of a thrust force applied on the lever until the lever is depressed (final state), the piston is displaced inside the cartridge so that the entire material is extruded
Implementation Method 2
a lever (3) movable relative to the frame (2)... under the action of a thrust force applied on the lever, the lever is positioned in an actuating state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The dispensing gun (1), intended for delivering a material from a cartridge, comprises a frame (2) having a handle (21), an injection gate (22) for connecting a cartridge, preferably a dental cartridge, said injection gate (22) being located at the distal part of the frame (2), a lever (3) comprising at least two teeth (31) and a piston (4) comprising at least two notches (41), and is characterized in that: - the dispensing gun (1) comprises means for directly locking the cartridge on the injection gate (22); and - the dispensing gun (1) comprises means for pushing the piston (4) inside the cartridge so that the material contained in the cartridge is extruded in a single piston stroke; and - the dispensing gun (1) is configured so that the lever (3) comprises an actuating state in which the first notch (41) of the piston (4) and the first tooth (31) of the lever (3) are engaged together prior to connecting the cartridge so that the lever (3) and the handle (21) form an angle of almost 90°.