Monolithic Shell for Piezoelectric Insect Bite Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable devices for treating insect bites or stings using piezoelectric technology face challenges in complex and time-consuming assembly processes, leading to increased production costs and potential quality issues due to the use of multiple half-shells, which can result in inconsistent color and structural integrity problems.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a monolithic containing body that houses the piezoelectric element, actuating element, and discharge area, featuring a single-piece shell with a guide and housing portion for precise alignment and snap closure, reducing assembly complexity and enabling easier production while ensuring correct component positioning and ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a complex multi-piece shell construction is used, then the device can accommodate multiple components, but the assembly time and production cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate shell pieces into a single monolithic shell structure. This single shell integrates the housing, guide portions, and positioning features that were previously distributed across multiple components, thereby eliminating assembly steps while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic shell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural housing, incorporates guide portions for component alignment, integrates positioning features, and maintains ergonomic form factors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple half-shells are assembled together, then the device can be manufactured modularly, but quality consistency deteriorates due to color variations and alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple half-shells into a single monolithic shell manufactured as one piece, the patent eliminates interfaces between components that cause color mismatches and alignment variations. The single-piece construction ensures uniform material properties and consistent appearance across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic shell is constructed from homogeneous material throughout, ensuring uniform color, texture, and physical properties. This eliminates the heterogeneity introduced by assembling multiple parts with potential variations in material batches, storage conditions, or manufacturing tolerances.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous components are assembled and aligned, then the device achieves complete functionality, but the production cost increases due to labor-intensive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into the monolithic shell structure itself, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations. The guide portions, housing features, and positioning elements are integrated directly into the shell during its formation process, reducing manual labor and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic shell is pre-formed with all necessary guide portions, positioning features, and structural elements integrated during its initial manufacturing process. This preliminary incorporation of alignment and positioning features eliminates subsequent assembly and alignment operations.
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 solution significantly reduces production time and costs, enhances quality consistency, and improves ergonomic performance and portability by simplifying the assembly process and ensuring precise component alignment within a single, unified shell structure.
Implementation Method 1
the operator (who may be the same person as the victim of the bite or sting), acts on a piezoelectric crystal, usually by means of a more or less direct mechanical control, imposing a 'state of stress' on the crystal, which reacts by generating a difference in potential
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~5a
AI summary
A portable device for treating the bites or stings of insects and harmful creatures, comprising: - a piezoelectric element (2) capable of producing a predetermined difference in electrical potential; - an actuating element (3) operable by a user and associated with said piezoelectric element (2) to impart to it a predetermined state of stress/deformation; - a discharge area (4) electrically connected to the piezoelectric element (2) and positionable in proximity to an area of a patient which has been bitten/stung to impart to it an electrical discharge generated by said difference in electrical potential; characterised in that it comprises furthermore a monolithic containing body (5) capable of housing the piezoelectric element (2), the actuating element (3) and the discharge area (4).