Reusable Sperm Collection Device with Detachable Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sperm collection devices are disposable due to their fixed arrangement, leading to hygiene issues and high environmental and cost burdens, and they lack the ability to control the stimulus applied during use.

Innovation Solution

A sperm collection device with open/close units and core pieces that can be easily rinsed and manufactured in a non-bag shape, allowing for adjustable pressure and improved usability by exposing the core pieces' outer surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the core member is fixedly accommodated in the vessel main body, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of cleaning and repeated use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the core member (soft resin) and the vessel main body (hard resin) are detachable rather than fixedly integrated. This segmentation allows the core member to be easily removed for cleaning while maintaining structural stability during use through the holder that secures the core member in position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the core member is completely accommodated in the hard vessel main body, then the structural support is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidease of pressure adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the core member from the vessel main body and using a holder for attachment, the design allows the core member to be accessible for manual manipulation. Users can press and adjust the core member's position and pressure application points without being constrained by a fixed integrated structure, while the holder provides necessary structural support during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the core member is made as a bag-like structure, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of injection molding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing a complex bag-like structure and then trying to remove it from the mold (which is difficult), the invention uses a simple cylindrical core member that is easily molded and then folded or configured into the required bag-like shape during assembly or use. This reverses the manufacturing approach to prioritize ease of production while achieving the necessary adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If the core member is fixed in the vessel main body, then the reliability is improved, but the environmental load and cost performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable design allows the core member to be easily separated from the vessel main body for cleaning and reuse. Instead of being discarded after single use, the core member can be cleaned, sterilized, and reused multiple times, reducing environmental load and improving cost performance while maintaining reliability through proper hygiene maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP2168500B8Sperm collection device
Publication Date: 2015.12.23 TENGA CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a sperm collection device which can be repeatedly used without a hygienic problem because a core member can be easily rinsed while maintaining a merit of accommodating the core member in a vessel and can arbitrarily control a stimulus applied to the core member by hand while a rubbing operation is performed, the sperm collection device comprises an open/close unit 2 composed of two open/close members 4 openably and closeably supported about one end and core pieces 10 opened and closed by being supported by the open/close members, respectively forming an insertion empty space between the closed core pieces, and a holder 30 for detachably supporting the open/close unit in a closed state.