Resilient Injection Plug for Tree Fluid Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tree injection methods often result in tree damage and fluid leakage, as they require drilling beyond the cambium layer, and existing plugs with flanges limit inward movement and are not effective throughout the year or in all tree species.

Innovation Solution

A plug with a resilient core and barbs that fills the injection hole without penetrating the xylem, expanding to block fluid leakage and designed for insertion into the outer bark layer, eliminating the need for a flange and minimizing tree wounding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If drilling a hole beyond the cambium layer to inject capsules, then injection depth is achieved, but tree injury occurs and triggers defensive reaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection hole depthVSAvoidtree injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of drilling through the cambium layer to reach the xylem (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by inserting the needle at an angle through the bark to contact the xylem layer without penetrating or damaging it. This reverse approach achieves the injection goal while avoiding tree injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making the needle insertion angle and depth specific to the tree structure. The needle is inserted at an angle through the bark to contact only the xylem layer at a localized point, rather than drilling a deep hole through multiple layers, thereby minimizing damage while achieving effective injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If using a fluid injection needle inserted at an angle through the bark, then tree injury is minimized, but injection is only effective during active growth period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree injuryVSAvoidinjection effectiveness period

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by inserting a plug into the injection hole immediately after needle withdrawal, before the tree can lose the injected fluid. This preliminary plugging action ensures that fluids remain in the tree during non-growing seasons when the tree cannot naturally retain them, extending the effective injection period throughout the year.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The plug serves as an intermediary element between the injection hole and the external environment. It mediates the retention of injected fluids by blocking the hole, allowing the tree to uptake fluids during growing seasons and preventing leakage during non-growing seasons, thereby extending the effective injection period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If using a plug with flange to prevent fluid leakage, then fluid retention is improved, but inward movement of plug into tree is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid retentionVSAvoidplug insertion depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the flange element from the plug design. By removing the flange that previously limited insertion depth, the plug can be fully inserted into the injection hole without obstruction, achieving both deep insertion and effective fluid retention through the plug's expanded configuration within the hole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug employs dynamics by being compressible during insertion and then expanding within the hole after insertion. This dynamic behavior allows the plug to be inserted deeply into the hole in a compressed state and then expand to fill the hole and prevent fluid leakage, achieving both deep insertion and reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 plug effectively retains injected fluids within the tree, preventing leakage and air penetration, allowing successful fluid uptake throughout a longer period without damaging the tree, and is simple, economical, and easy to insert.

Implementation Method 1

a core of resilient material penetrable by the injection needle for injecting fluids between the xylem and inner bark layers, which core is expandable upon withdrawal of the fluid injection needle to fill the hole and substantially block leakage of fluids outwardly through the hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Barbs may be provided on the outer surface of the shank to retain the plug in the inserted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS10462979B1Injection plug for insertion into a tree

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 DOOLITTLE GLAYNE

AI summary

An injection fluid retention plug is provided which may be inserted into a preformed hole in a tree. The plug includes a hollow shank portion which is filled with a resilient material. The inner and outer ends of the shank portion have the same outer diameter. The shank portion does not have a flange at the outer end thereof.