Pen Injector Housing with Elastic Locking Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injector pen designs face challenges in securely mounting elongated containers, such as cartridges, which can lead to breakage and handling complexities, especially for patients who are weakened or unfamiliar with these devices.
Innovation Solution
A housing with an elongated body that includes mechanical members for fixing the needle, a second member for attaching to the injector pen, and an elastically deformable tongue for irreversible axial locking of the container, ensuring complete protection and ease of use without additional parts like split rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling element is mounted around one end of the cartridge to secure it in the holder, then the cartridge can be held in place, but most of the cartridge remains exposed resulting in significant risk of breakage and loss of contents
Solution Approach 1:
The housing body is designed as a single integrated piece that combines the container holder and securing mechanism into one unified structure. The elastically deformable tab is an integral part of the housing body, eliminating the need for separate coupling elements and providing complete enclosure protection for the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is completely received within the internal volume of the housing body, with the elastically deformable tab providing internal securing. This nested arrangement ensures full protection of the container while maintaining a compact, integrated structure without external exposed portions.
2Reliability
If jaws fitted to flexible arms are used to hold the cartridge, then the cartridge can be secured, but the equipment becomes relatively complex to use particularly by weakened or unfamiliar patients
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable tab automatically engages with the container upon insertion and provides self-locking retention without requiring patient manipulation. The tab's elastic deformation and engagement occur passively as the container is inserted, making the device foolproof for patients with limited dexterity or familiarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with distinct functional zones: the internal volume for container reception and the elastically deformable tab for automatic securing. This segmentation allows the container to be simply inserted while the tab independently handles the complex retention function, simplifying patient operation.
3Ease of operation
If a split ring is compressed to extract the container from the housing, then the container can be removed, but the blockage is not irreversible and requires additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The housing with its elastically deformable tab is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex reversible mechanisms or additional parts like split rings, as the entire housing-unit is replaced rather than serviced or reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable tab is pre-configured to automatically engage and lock the container in place upon insertion. The securing action occurs preliminarily during the insertion process itself, eliminating the need for separate compression or assembly steps required by split ring mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the container dimensions are perfectly controlled to cooperate with fastening means at the rear of the housing, then the container can be secured, but this is practically impossible given the manufacturing tolerances of both containers and housings
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable tab changes its physical state from a deformed condition during insertion to a locked condition upon engagement. This parameter change in the tab's elasticity allows it to accommodate dimensional variations in manufactured containers and housings while still achieving reliable securing, eliminating the need for perfect dimensional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mechanism transitions from a static, precision-dependent design to a dynamic system where the elastically deformable tab adapts its shape and position during engagement. This dynamic adaptation allows the mechanism to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in both container and housing dimensions.
5Reliability
If a bracket is attached to the housing to secure the container, then the container can be retained, but this bracket is a separate part that must be produced and supplied separately and whose installation proves difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable tab is integrated directly into the housing body as a single-piece construction. This merging of the retention mechanism with the housing eliminates the need for separate brackets, reducing the number of parts to be produced, supplied, and installed, while maintaining reliable container retention.
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 protects the container throughout its length, simplifies handling, and prevents accidental disassembly, enhancing the durability of the assembly and reducing the risk of breakage and handling errors.
Implementation Method 1
The tab (36) is made of an elastically deformable material and has a constrained configuration in which the tab extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Said housing (30) for mounting an elongate-shaped container (20) on an injection pen comprises an elongate-shaped body (32) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X30) and which defines an interior volume (V32) for fully receiving the container. The body is provided, on the outside of a first axial end (34), with at least one first mechanical member (31) for attaching a needle. The body is further provided, in the vicinity of a second axial end (322) opposite the first axial end (34), with at least one second mechanical member for attaching the housing (30) onto an injection pen. The housing (30) further comprises, in the vicinity of the first axial end (34) thereof, at least one third mechanical member (36) for irreversibly locking a container (20) in position, fully contained in the interior volume (V32) of the body (32) of the housing (30). Said third locking member is formed by an elastically deformable tab (36) intended to ensure locking of the container (20) in position in the interior volume (V32) of the body (32) of the housing, by axially retaining a flange (26) of the container.