Puncture Needle Lock Mechanism Prevents Accidental Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing puncture needle assemblies can inadvertently move from a covered to an exposed position and back, causing the needle to protrude unintentionally, rendering them unusable due to a lock mechanism that operates prematurely upon impact or accidental movement.
Innovation Solution
A puncture needle assembly with a movable protector that includes a lock mechanism and a cap with a prevention section, where the lock is maintained in a locked state when the protector is at the first position, and a lock release mechanism that allows the protector to move to the second position, preventing unintended exposure of the needle point by ensuring the lock remains engaged even after the protector returns to the first position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock means is designed to maintain the protector at the first position, then the needlepoint is securely covered, but the protector cannot be moved to the second position for use
Solution Approach 1:
The lock means transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through the elastic deformation of the resilient piece. When the protector moves axially, the resilient piece deforms elastically to disengage from the engaging piece, allowing the protector to be moved to the second position while maintaining security when returned to the first position
2Reliability
If the resilient piece engages with the base end surface of the protector to restrict movement, then the protector is prevented from moving to the second position, but the needle assembly becomes unusable after accidental dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient piece acts as a cushioning element that absorbs accidental impacts by elastically deforming when the protector is struck. This allows the protector to temporarily move and then return to the first position without triggering the lock means, maintaining usability after accidental dropping while still preventing intentional or negligent needle exposure
3Reliability
If the lock means operates upon any movement of the protector, then accidental movements are prevented, but legitimate use of the needle assembly is also prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The lock means uses the dynamic behavior of the resilient piece to distinguish between accidental movements and legitimate use. The resilient piece elastically deforms during legitimate movement cycles, allowing the protector to move to the second position and return, while maintaining engagement to prevent unintended exposure after the cycle completes
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 effectively prevents the needle point from inadvertently exposing, ensuring the needle assembly remains usable and secure, preventing accidental punctures and ensuring the needle remains covered when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient piece provided on the support member protrudes toward the interior thereof, and comes into engagement with a base end surface (proximal surface) of the protector
Data Source
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AI summary
A puncture needle assembly (10) comprising: a puncture device (13) which is provided with a needle tube (5) having a sharp needlepoint at the tip thereof, and also with a protector (7) which is supported relative to the needle tube (5) so as to be movable in the axis direction of the needle tube (5) between a first position at which the protector (7) covers at least the needlepoint of the needle tube (5) and a second position at which the protector (7) exposes the needlepoint and is located further on the base end side than the first position; a cap (14) which is removably mounted to the puncture device (13); lock means (681, 722) which can, when the protector (7) is at the first position, maintain the position of the protector; and a lock release means (8) which, when the protector (7) moves from the first position to the second position, enables the protector (7) to move by releasing the locked state maintained by the lock means (681, 722). The cap (14) has a prevention section (145) which, in a cap-mounted state in which the cap (14) is mounted on the puncture device (13) with the protector (7) located at the first position, prevents the lock means (681, 722) from being unlocked.