Lancing Device Cam Drive Separate Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lancing devices face challenges in balancing drive springs that urge the needle toward extended and retracted positions, leading to distorted guidance and diminished functionality due to shared mechanisms for both functions.
Innovation Solution
A lancing device with a cam-actuated drive and separate guidance system, where a pivotal drive cam engages the needle carriage, and a guidance biasing spring and drive spring work independently to control the needle's translation, ensuring separate functions and improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If drive springs and guidance mechanisms share the same component (needle carrier), then the device structure is simplified, but the guidance precision and drive effectiveness are diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the needle carrier into two separate components: a guidance element that provides precise directional guidance for the needle, and a drive cam that independently provides the driving force for needle extension and retraction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and guidance precision.
2Force
If drive springs act on the needle carrier, then the drive function is achieved, but the guidance function is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the drive function from the guidance function by creating independent components. The drive cam with its cam lobe provides the driving force through engagement with the needle carrier, while the guidance element independently ensures precise directional control. This eliminates the distortion of guidance that occurs when drive forces are applied through the guidance mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam lobe as an intermediary element between the drive spring and the needle carrier. The cam lobe converts the rotational or linear motion of the drive spring into controlled linear motion of the needle carrier, while the guidance element separately ensures accurate directional control. This intermediary allows independent optimization of drive and guidance functions.
3Reliability
If springs are balanced to avoid bouncing, then user safety is improved, but the balancing process becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the drive and guidance functions into independent components, allowing the drive cam and guidance element to be designed and adjusted independently. This segmentation simplifies the balancing process because each component can be optimized separately rather than requiring complex coordination between integrated functions, while still achieving reliable operation without bouncing or double strikes.
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 enhances the precision and effectiveness of needle penetration by maintaining separate guidance and drive mechanisms, reducing 'bouncing' and double strikes, and allowing for controlled motion and acceleration of the needle, thereby improving user safety and testing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a pivotal drive cam is provided for driving the needle carriage in translation and has a cam lobe for engaging the second end of the needle carriage
Implementation Method 2
a guidance biasing spring and drive spring work independently to control the needle's translation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A lancet assembly (10) comprises a housing (20) and a needle carriage (64) movably housed within the housing, the needle carriage adapted to support a needle (62) thereon, the needle carriage having a first end (63) and a second end (65) generally opposite thereto. A needle is mounted to the needle carriage and a guide element (28) is positioned within the housing for guiding the needle carriage for reciprocating translation. A pivotal drive cam (42) is provided for driving the needle carriage in translation and has a cam lobe (44) for engaging the second end of the needle carriage, wherein the needle carriage is guided by the guide element and driven in translation by the pivotal drive cam such that the guidance and drive are kept separate.