Lubricating Shuttle Brush for Low-Friction Tubular Injection Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Injection devices, such as auto-injectors, face challenges in reducing frictional forces between moving components, which can lead to improper functioning and require stronger biasing members, increasing device size, weight, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device with a shaft portion made of plastic and a brush portion containing a lubricant agent, designed to lubricate the surface of tubular elements in medicament delivery devices, reducing friction and allowing for smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frictional forces between moving components are reduced through conventional scraping methods, then surface smoothness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant is applied to the brush portion before the lubricating shuttle is inserted into the tubular element. This preliminary action allows the lubricant to be pre-positioned on the brush bristles, enabling immediate transfer to the component surface upon insertion, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable component movement
Solution Approach 2:
The brush portion acts as an intermediary between the lubricant and the component surface. The brush bristles transfer the lubricant from the lubricating shuttle to the inner surface of the tubular element, providing a controlled and uniform application that improves reliability without increasing manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If stronger biasing members are used to overcome frictional forces, then component movement is ensured, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
By applying lubricant beforehand to the brush portion, the friction between moving components is reduced in advance. This allows weaker, lighter biasing members to be used while still ensuring reliable component movement, thereby reducing overall device weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of friction into a benefit by using the friction between brush bristles and the tubular element surface to transfer lubricant. This lubricant transfer then reduces friction during actual component movement, allowing for lighter biasing members
3Reliability
If the concentration of lubricant agent in the brush portion is increased, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the bond strength between lubricant and brush material increases reducing transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the concentration of lubricant agent in the brush portion to a specific range that balances retention and transfer. This parameter change ensures sufficient lubricant is held in the brush bristles for effective lubrication while maintaining enough mobility for efficient transfer to the component surface
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 device effectively reduces friction between components, enabling smoother movement and potentially reducing the size and weight of medicament injection devices, while extending the life of the brush portion and maintaining consistent lubrication performance.
Implementation Method 1
the movements of components relative to one another must overcome frictional forces acting on sliding surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a lubricant agent which is configured to be transferred from the at least one contact zone to a surface during use
Data Source
AI summary
A device for lubricating a surface of a tubular element includes a shaft portion having a longitudinal axis, where the shaft portion is formed from plastic, and a brush portion located on the shaft portion. The brush portion has at least one contact zone for contacting a surface. The brush portion is formed from a brush portion material and a lubricant agent, which is transferred from the at least one contact zone to a surface during use.