Luer Connector Ratchet Locking for Leak-Resistant Medical Joining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting structures for medical components suffer from leakage due to gaps caused by unintentional loosening, leading to inadequate sealing, and previous solutions hinder smooth joining or pose high resistance.
Innovation Solution
A male connecting device with a loosening prevention mechanism featuring ratchet teeth and elastic leaves that allow smooth joining by preventing rotation in the loosening direction, combined with a torque limiting mechanism to manage excessive torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a loosening prevention mechanism with ratchet teeth and engageable claws is added, then reliability is improved by preventing unintentional loosening, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet teeth and engageable claws act as an intermediary mechanism between the threadedly engageable cylinder and the male connector. This intermediary structure prevents direct reverse rotation while allowing forward tightening, solving the reliability issue without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The loosening prevention mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: ratchet teeth formed in the inner periphery of the threadedly engageable cylinder, and engageable claws formed in the outer periphery of the male connector. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while working together as a cohesive system.
2Reliability
If multiple engageable protrusions are formed over the entire periphery to prevent loosening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to high resistance during tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet teeth and engageable claws are designed with asymmetric geometry where the engagement surfaces are oriented to allow easy insertion and tightening in the forward direction, while preventing reverse motion. The asymmetric tooth profile enables smooth tightening operation while maintaining reliable loosening prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement parameters of the ratchet teeth and engageable claws are optimized to provide sufficient engagement force for loosening prevention while minimizing resistance during tightening. The geometric parameters of the tooth profiles and engagement surfaces are carefully selected to balance these competing requirements.
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
Ensures secure, leak-proof connections with smooth joining and prevents excessive torque, maintaining sealing integrity under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the engageable claw is moved over the ratchet teeth accompanied by an elastic deformation of the elastic leaf inward in the radial direction
Implementation Method 2
By friction between the surface 21x on the deeper side of the screw thread of the female screw 21a and the engageable protrusions 2c, the threadedly engageable cylinder 20 keeps the female luer portion 2a in the drawn state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A male connecting device for medical use 1 includes a male connector 10 having a cylindrical configuration and a threadedly engageable cylinder 20 rotatably coupled to the male connector 10. A male luer portion 11 of the male connector 10 and a female luer portion 2a of the female connector 2 are joined by turning the threadedly engageable cylinder 20 in a tightening direction T. The male connecting device 1 further includes a loosening prevention mechanism 40 that prohibits rotation of the threadedly engageable cylinder 20 in a loosening direction L with respect to the male connector 10. The loosening prevention mechanism 40 includes ratchet teeth 41 formed in an inner periphery of the threadedly engageable cylinder 20, an elastic leaf 42 formed in the male connector 10 and extends in a circumferential direction and an engageable claw 43 protruded from a free end of the elastic leaf 42 and engageable with the ratchet teeth 41.