Rotating Cap Self-Injection Device for Compact Needle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-injection devices are either too long when designed to protect a pre-assembled pen needle, increasing their size, or they compromise on compactness when the needle is not assembled, making them less convenient for users who need to administer insulin quickly.
Innovation Solution
A self-injection device with a cap that can be connected to the body in two orientations: one to minimize length and volume for compactness and another to accommodate a pen needle within the cap, allowing for both compact storage and protection of the needle when assembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the self-injection device is designed to protect a pre-assembled pen needle, then the device provides needle protection, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to be rotatable relative to the pen body, allowing it to switch between two orientations: a first orientation where the cap extends axially to protect the pen needle, and a second orientation where the cap is retracted to minimize device length. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to adapt its structure based on whether needle protection is needed.
2Length of moving object
If the self-injection device is designed to be compact, then the device size is minimized, but the device cannot accommodate a pre-assembled pen needle
Solution Approach 1:
The cap's ability to rotate between orientations allows the internal volume to be dynamically reconfigured. In the second orientation, the cap is positioned to minimize overall device length while still providing a receptacle for the pen needle. In the first orientation, the cap extends to fully enclose and protect the needle, demonstrating how dynamic reconfiguration enables both compactness and adaptability.
3Volume of moving object
If the cap is designed to minimize device volume, then portability is improved, but the cap cannot house the pen needle
Solution Approach 1:
By allowing the cap to rotate between two fixed orientations, the device enables the user to select the appropriate volume configuration: the first orientation maximizes internal volume for needle protection, while the second orientation minimizes volume for portability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between compactness and protective capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-injection device (100, 200), including a pen body (108, 208) connectable to a pen needle (10), and a cap (104, 204) selectively connectable to the pen body (108, 208) in a first orientation with respect to the pen body (108, 208) to minimize the length or volume of the self injection device (100, 200), and in a second orientation to provide sufficient length or volume in an interior of the cap (104, 204) to house a pen needle (10) connected to the pen body (108, 208).