Elastomeric Load Spring Washer for Controlled Load Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical injection devices face challenges with current resilient members, such as springs, due to a lack of control and load recovery, necessitating a more robust component for improved load recovery.
Innovation Solution
A load spring washer with a main body and protrusions, formed from elastomeric materials like ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, designed to provide axial flexibility and resistance to compression, replacing traditional springs in medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional helical coil springs are used in medical injection devices, then the devices can provide resilient biasing force, but the load recovery and control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is segmented into multiple protrusions (typically 3-6) extending from the washer body, each protrusion acting as an independent load-bearing element. This segmentation allows controlled buckling of individual protrusions under compression, providing predictable load recovery characteristics while maintaining simple washer geometry without complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed with specific dimensions and orientations that allow them to dynamically buckle and rebound under compressive loads. The dynamic response of the protrusions provides automatic load recovery without requiring external control mechanisms, transforming the static washer into a dynamically responsive resilient member
2Force
If the spring provides strong resilient force, then component biasing is improved, but control over the force application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the washer serve different functions: the main body provides structural support and mounting surfaces, while the protrusions provide controlled resilient force. The protrusions can be varied in number, height, thickness, and orientation to locally adjust the force characteristics without affecting the overall washer structure, enabling precise control over force application
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient force characteristics are controlled by adjusting geometric parameters of the protrusions including height, thickness, orientation angles, and number of protrusions. These parameter changes allow tuning of the force-displacement curve to achieve desired control characteristics while maintaining strong resilient force, replacing complex control mechanisms with simple geometric adjustments
3Reliability
If a robust resilient member is used to improve load recovery, then the component reliability increases, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring washer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as a washer, delivers resilient biasing force through protrusion buckling, enables controlled load recovery, and reduces rattling between components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms or additional components, maintaining simple device structure while achieving robust load recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient spring functionality is merged with the washer mounting component into a single integrated part. The protrusions are directly formed as part of the washer body, combining the load-bearing and mounting functions in one component, thereby improving load recovery without increasing 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
The load spring washer enhances load recovery and control, reducing rattling and improving needle penetration by modifying compressive forces through protrusions that buckle under pressure, ensuring accurate drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
designed to provide axial flexibility and resistance to compression
Implementation Method 2
protrusions that buckle under pressure, ensuring accurate drug delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a load spring washer configured for use with a medical injection device, having a main body having a proximal surface and a distal surface and one or more protrusions extending proximally away from the proximal surface of the main body.