Injector Sleeve Dynamics for Sequential Substance Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injectors for dispensing multiple liquids or pasty substances lack an efficient mechanism to ensure sequential dispensing without mixing, particularly in applications like udder injection for animals, where precise administration of different substances is required.
Innovation Solution
The injector features an inner injector body with a sleeve that seals on the outer injector body, allowing the second substance to flow around it when in the end position, with channels and grooves in the bottom wall for the second substance to flow through, and optionally deformable cuffs or webs to facilitate non-sealing contact, enabling separate dispensing of the first and second substances through a common dispensing spout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sleeve seals against the inner wall of the outer injector body during movement, then the first liquid or paste can be dispensed without mixing with the second substance, but the second liquid or paste cannot flow around the sleeve when the inner injector body is in its final position
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to change its sealing properties dynamically: during the movement of the inner injector body, the sleeve maintains a sealing engagement with the inner wall of the outer injector body to prevent mixing; when the inner injector body reaches its final position, the sleeve is deformed (e.g., by ribs or grooves) to create flow channels that allow the second liquid or paste to pass around it. This dynamic transition from sealing to non-sealing state resolves the contradiction between preventing mixing and enabling flow.
2Reliability
If the sleeve maintains a sealing position throughout, then the first substance is protected from contamination, but the second substance cannot be dispensed through the same opening
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve transitions from a sealed state during injection of the first substance to a non-sealed state for dispensing the second substance. The deformation mechanism (ribs, grooves, or elastic deformation) allows the sleeve to create flow paths dynamically, ensuring that substance integrity is maintained during the first dispensing phase while enabling the second dispensing phase without requiring separate openings or pathways.
3Reliability
If separate dispensing pathways are provided for two substances, then mixing is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing completely separate dispensing pathways, the patent merges the dispensing function into a single common opening while using the deformable sleeve as a dynamic separator. The sleeve can seal to create separate flow paths during the first substance injection, then deform to allow the second substance to flow around it through the same general region. This merging approach prevents mixing while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate dispensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable sleeve acts as an intermediary element that dynamically controls flow separation and merging. During the first substance injection, the sleeve serves as a separator to prevent mixing; during the second substance dispensing, it deforms to become permeable to flow. This intermediary mechanism allows a single opening to function as both a sealed and open pathway at different times, reducing overall device complexity.
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
This design allows for the sequential and separate administration of two substances without mixing, enhancing the precision and effectiveness in applications like udder injection by ensuring the second substance can flow around the cuff or through channels when the first has been dispensed, maintaining the integrity of each component.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve is deformed to allow flow around it when it is in its final position within the outer injector body. This deformation of the sleeve creates channels through which the second liquid or pasty substance flows
Implementation Method 2
By moving the plunger, the inner injector body is first moved within the outer injector body. This releases the first liquid or paste-like substance through an opening in the base wall of the outer injector body
Data Source
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AI summary
An injector for dispensing a first and a second liquid or pasty substance, in particular a drug, comprises an outer injector body (1) in which an inner injector body (2) is longitudinally displaceable, and in which a plunger (3) is longitudinally displaceable. To improve such an injector, the inner injector body (2) has a cuff (13) that seals against the inner wall (8) of the outer injector body (1) and around which the second liquid or pasty substance can flow when it is in its end position in the outer injector body (1) (Fig. 1).