Injector Door Locking Mechanism for Self-Test Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injectors require complex user procedures and risk cartridge wastage due to potential user errors and substance contamination during self-testing and loading, as they often remain unlocked until a successful self-test is indicated, and drainage ports can lead to contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
An injector with a self-test mechanism that locks the cartridge door until a pass outcome is achieved, ensuring the door remains closed until the device is confirmed operational, preventing faulty cartridge insertion and maintaining the integrity of sealed cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the injector door remains unlocked until a successful self-test is indicated, then the device can be checked for operational status, but the procedure becomes more complicated and user errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The self-test is performed automatically before the user needs to load the cartridge. The door is initially locked and only unlocked after the self-test passes, eliminating the need for users to manually check operational status and reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector performs its own self-test automatically without user intervention. The system independently verifies its operational status and makes the door unlocking decision, freeing the user from complex check procedures.
2Reliability
If the injector door is locked until self-test pass outcome, then cartridge insertion is prevented in faulty injectors, but the door mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A motorized actuator serves as an intermediary between the controller and the door locking mechanism. The actuator automatically engages or disengages the locking member based on controller signals, providing reliable automatic protection while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual door locking mechanism is replaced with an automated motorized actuator system controlled by the controller. This substitution enables automatic door locking/unlocking based on self-test results, reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
3Loss of substance
If a drainage port is used to recover substance from inserted cartridge, then substance can be recovered, but substance contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The self-test is performed before the cartridge is inserted, and the door is locked until the test passes. This preliminary verification prevents insertion into faulty injectors, eliminating the need for post-insertion drainage and recovery operations that could cause contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of substance waste is converted into a benefit by performing the self-test before cartridge insertion. This approach prevents the need for drainage ports and recovery operations, as the self-test ensures the injector is functional before the valuable cartridge is committed.
Data Source
AI summary
An injector is configured to receive therein a cartridge containing a substance to be dispensed. The injector includes an injector housing and an injector door movably mounted to the injector housing between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The injector door is initially locked in an at least partially closed position preventing insertion of the cartridge into the injector. The injector further includes a controller configured to conduct an initial self-test on operability of at least one component of the injector. The self-test has a single pass or fail outcome, wherein the injector door is unlocked and enabled to be moved into the fully open position, to enable insertion of the cartridge into the injector, solely upon achievement of the self-test pass outcome.