Resilient Connecting Element for Multi-Diameter Vial Adapters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connecting element designs are inadequate for handling varying cap diameters of drug reservoirs, such as insulin vials and pen-cartridges, necessitating separate adapters for each type, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element with resilient contact elements that form a receiving space, capable of enlargement to accommodate cylindrical bodies of different diameters through elastic deformation, ensuring consistent reset forces and secure frictional connections across a range of diameters from 5 mm to 15 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single connecting element design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different cap diameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are designed as resilient structures that can dynamically adjust their position and the size of the receiving space to accommodate cylindrical bodies of different diameters. The resilient contact elements can elastically deform to expand or contract the receiving space, allowing a single adapter design to work with multiple cap sizes without requiring multiple static adapter designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the contact elements from rigid to resilient, enabling them to undergo elastic deformation. This parameter change allows the receiving space to be enlarged or reduced by moving the contact surfaces apart or together, thereby adapting to different cap diameters while maintaining a unified adapter structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the receiving space is enlarged to accommodate larger diameters, then adaptability improves, but frictional connection strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient contact elements provide a dynamic solution where the contact pressure is automatically adjusted based on the diameter of the inserted cylindrical body. When a larger diameter body is inserted, the resilient elements deform more, maintaining adequate contact pressure. When a smaller diameter body is inserted, the resilient elements deform less, maintaining higher contact pressure to ensure sufficient frictional connection strength across the full range of diameters.
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
Enables a single adapter to securely connect and extract liquid drugs from vials and pen-cartridges with varying diameters, providing consistent frictional forces and centering capabilities, thus eliminating the need for multiple adapters.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one contact surface, under an elastic deformation of the resilient structure of this contact element between the two ends, can be moved apart from contact surfaces of other contact elements
Implementation Method 2
reset forces generated by deformation of the resilient structure of this contact element
Implementation Method 3
provide contact surfaces for contacting the neck portion... establish a frictional connection with a cylindrical body
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting element for establishing a frictional connection with a neck portion of a liquid container, like a vial. The connecting element may include a basic structure and contact elements connected with the basic structure that provide contact surfaces for contacting the neck portion. The contact surfaces may be configured to form a receiving space for receiving the neck portion. The receiving space can be enlarged by moving apart the contact surfaces.