Medicament Delivery Lock Ring Segmentation for Simpler Tooling

Solution Overview

Problem

Known lock rings for medicament delivery devices require complex tooling apparatus with many moveable parts, leading to high costs and potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A lock ring design with a hollow main body formed from circumferentially extending portions, featuring bearing elements that are partially or fully formed on tool split lines, reducing the number of tool parts and increasing structural strength and alignment capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex tooling apparatus with many moveable parts is used to form lock rings, then the lock ring can be formed with precise geometry and features, but the manufacturing cost increases and the tooling apparatus becomes prone to malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometry precisionVSAvoidtooling apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock ring is divided into multiple circumferentially extending portions (first portion, second portion, etc.) that are formed separately during the moulding process. Each portion can be independently formed and then joined to adjacent portions, allowing the use of simpler, fewer moveable parts in the tooling apparatus while still achieving the required precise geometry through controlled formation of each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple bearing elements are merged into a single integrated structure that is formed as one piece during the moulding process. This merging reduces the number of separate tooling parts required while maintaining the precision needed for bearing element geometry, as all elements are formed simultaneously in a single moulding operation rather than requiring multiple separate operations with complex tooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex tooling apparatus with many moveable parts is used to form lock rings, then the lock ring can be formed with precise geometry and features, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeometry precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lock ring is divided into multiple circumferentially extending portions (first portion, second portion, etc.) that are formed separately during the moulding process. Each portion can be independently formed and then joined to adjacent portions, allowing the use of simpler, fewer moveable parts in the tooling apparatus while still achieving the required precise geometry through controlled formation of each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple bearing elements are merged into a single integrated structure that is formed as one piece during the moulding process. This merging reduces the number of separate tooling parts required while maintaining the precision needed for bearing element geometry, as all elements are formed simultaneously in a single moulding operation rather than requiring multiple separate operations with complex tooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If bearing elements are formed away from tool split lines, then the bearing elements can be formed with good geometry, but the number of tool parts increases and structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing element geometryVSAvoidlock ring structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bearing elements are merged into a single integrated structure that is formed as one piece during the moulding process. This merging reduces the number of separate tooling parts required while maintaining the precision needed for bearing element geometry, as all elements are formed simultaneously in a single moulding operation rather than requiring multiple separate operations with complex tooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock ring is divided into multiple circumferentially extending portions (first portion, second portion, etc.) that are formed separately during the moulding process. Each portion can be independently formed and then joined to adjacent portions, allowing the use of simpler, fewer moveable parts in the tooling apparatus while still achieving the required precise geometry through controlled formation of each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12434008B1Lock ring for a medicament delivery device

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 GENZYME CORP

AI summary

The application relates to a lock ring for a medicament delivery device. The lock ring comprises a hollow main body formed from a plurality of circumferentially extending portions. Each portion is defined between tool split lines defining circumferential ends of the portions. Each circumferential end of a portion is connected to an adjacent portion along a tool split line. The main body comprises a plurality of bearing elements configured to contact a body of a medicament delivery device. Each of the plurality of bearing elements is configured to form a low friction rotation interface. At least one of the plurality of bearing elements is formed proximate to one of the circumferential ends of a portion of the main body.