Luer Lock Connector Assembly With Straight Ribs for Simple De-Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luer lock connectors face issues with complex mold structures due to threaded portions, leading to high costs and potential damage during rotational de-molding, especially affecting the spike's integrity.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a male part with threaded portions and a female part with straight ribs, allowing for non-rotational de-molding of the female part, reducing mold complexity and manufacturing costs while protecting the spike.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotational de-molding is used to produce female part with threaded portions, then threaded connection is achieved, but mold structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming threaded portions on the female part (which requires complex rotational de-molding), the patent inverts the approach by forming straight ribs on the female part and corresponding threaded portions on the male part. This allows the female part to be de-molded using simple linear motion while the male part retains the threaded features, resolving the contradiction between threaded connection reliability and mold structure complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If rotational de-molding is used to produce female part, then threaded portions are formed, but spike may be damaged during de-molding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the threaded features from the female part to the male part, allowing the female part (with its vulnerable spike) to be de-molded using simple linear motion without rotation. This protects the spike from damage while still achieving threaded connection functionality through the complementary rib-threaded portion interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If straight ribs are used on female part instead of threaded portions, then de-molding without rotation is enabled, but threaded connection functionality must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into two complementary parts: straight ribs on the female part for simple de-molding and threaded portions on the male part for connection functionality. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve both easy manufacturing and reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The straight ribs act as an intermediary element that enables simple linear de-molding while still providing the necessary mechanical interface for threaded connection when paired with the threaded portions on the male part. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between manufacturing simplicity and connection functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector assembly (10) disclosed herein includes a male part (20) and a female part (40). The female part (40) includes a cylindrical body (42) extending about a central axis (C), a fitting portion (44) configured to be sealingly fitted to a medical injection device, and a spike (46). An annular gap (48) is formed between the cylindrical body (42) and the spike (46) to at least partly accommodate the male part (20). The female part (40) further includes at least two ribs (50) formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical body (42) and protruding radially inwardly. Each ribs (50) extends straight in parallel to the central axis and has an innermost fitting surface (50a) configured to be detachably fitted to corresponding threaded portions (26) of the male part (20).