Needle Register Modular Plate Assembly for Rapid Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing needle registers for injection devices are difficult to maintain and replace, as individual needles are fixed and require complex procedures for removal and replacement.

Innovation Solution

The needles are equipped with collars and paired perforated plates that sandwich the needles, allowing for easy removal and replacement by lifting the pair of plates as a unit, enabling quick swapping of needle units and accommodating different needle diameters through adjustable holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If individual needles are fixed in the distribution chamber, then the needle register maintains structural stability, but the replacement and maintenance of needles becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of needle replacementVSAvoidcomplexity of needle fixation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle register is divided into modular units: a distribution chamber, multiple perforated plates, and individual needles with collars. Each needle can be independently removed by lifting the perforated plate, allowing segmented replacement without affecting other needles. This segmentation transforms the complex individual fixation of each needle into a simple modular system where entire needle-plate units can be quickly swapped.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple needles are merged with the perforated plate into a single removable unit. The collars on the needles engage with the perforated plate holes, creating a combined assembly where needles are collectively secured rather than individually fixed. This merging allows all needles to be replaced simultaneously as one unit, dramatically simplifying the replacement process while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If needles are individually fixed in the distribution chamber, then each needle is securely held, but the maintenance procedure requires complex steps and significant time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of needle replacementVSAvoidtime required for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The perforated plate is pre-configured with holes positioned to receive needle collars, and the distribution chamber is designed with corresponding receptacles. This preliminary arrangement of the plate structure enables rapid needle replacement without requiring complex alignment or adjustment steps during maintenance. The pre-designed geometry allows needles to be quickly inserted and secured in their correct positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The needle register system is segmented into independently replaceable components: the distribution chamber remains stationary while the perforated plate with needles can be removed as a unit. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to quickly extract the entire needle assembly, replace it with a new one, and restore operation without disassembling or adjusting other parts of the injection device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple needles are held in the distribution chamber, then injection coverage is improved, but removal and replacement of needles becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different needle configurationsVSAvoidease of needle removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The perforated plate serves multiple functions: it holds multiple needles simultaneously, provides a unified removal mechanism for all needles, and can be adapted to accommodate different needle arrangements by repositioning the plate or modifying hole patterns. This universal design allows the same basic structure to support various needle configurations while maintaining ease of removal through the single lifting action of the perforated plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple needles are combined with the perforated plate into a single removable unit, transforming the challenge of removing multiple individually-fixed needles into a simple operation of lifting one plate. The merging of needles with the plate creates a unified assembly where all needles are secured together and can be removed simultaneously, making the process as easy as removing a single component regardless of how many needles are present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2545782B1Needle register
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SCHRDER MASCHBAUU KG
  • EP2545782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2545782B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The needle register comprises a needle carrier that forms a distribution chamber (16) for a liquid, and parallel hollow needles (12), which are held on the needle carrier so that their open upper ends lie in the distribution chamber. The needles comprise a collar (36) in the upper end. The distribution chamber receives pairs of stacked perforated plates (30, 38) between which the collars of the needles are held. The stacked perforated plates are: releasably held together; releasably attached to the needle carrier; and stretched with screws against the bottom of the distribution chamber. The needle register comprises a needle carrier that forms a distribution chamber (16) for a liquid, and parallel hollow needles (12), which are held on the needle carrier so that their open upper ends lie in the distribution chamber. The needles comprise a collar (36) in the upper end. The distribution chamber receives pairs of stacked perforated plates (30, 38) between which the collars of the needles are held. The stacked perforated plates are: releasably held together; releasably attached to the needle carrier; and stretched with screws against the bottom of the distribution chamber. The collars of the needles are included in a graded through holes of a lower perforated plate. The upper ends of the needles and upper surfaces of the collar are flush with an upper surface of the lower perforated plate. An upper perforated plate comprises through holes that are aligned with the upper ends of the needles and extend conically upward. Each needle penetrates an elastic seal pack, which is embedded at a bottom of the distribution chamber.