Sealing Cap with Biasing Lock for Fluid Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid cartridge assemblies lack a secure mechanism to prevent accidental removal of the sealing cap, leading to potential premature leakage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The fluid cartridge assembly incorporates a sealing cap with a positive locking feature, including a cap body with a retention member and a biasing member, which securely attaches and removes from the fluid cartridge, reducing the risk of accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional sealing caps (twist type, barb type, snap type) are used to attach to fluid cartridges, then the cap can be easily attached and removed, but the cap can be inadvertently removed leading to premature leakage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with a movable locking element that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The biasing member provides continuous force to maintain the locking element in the engaged position, creating a dynamic system that actively prevents inadvertent removal while allowing controlled access when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by pre-engaging the locking element with the cartridge flange before any removal attempt occurs. The biasing member continuously exerts force to keep the locking element pressed against the flange, creating a preliminary counter-force that must be overcome before the cap can be removed
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent cap removal, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the cap body as an integrated assembly rather than a separate component. The locking element, biasing member, and cap body work together as a unified structure, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall device while maintaining the locking function
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and biasing member are nested within the cap body structure. The biasing member is positioned inside the cap to exert force on the locking element, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes external complexity while providing the locking function
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 improved locking mechanism effectively prevents accidental removal of the sealing cap, thereby reducing the risk of premature leakage and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the distal wall in the distal direction. The biasing force provided by the biasing member retains the cap in the locked position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cap for sealing a cartridge includes a cap body (202), a plug (250), and a biasing member (262). The cap body includes a cap wall (202) and an annular wall (204) extending from the cap wall. The annular wall defines a channel within and includes a retention member having a barb (212), a stop (214) spaced apart from the barb, and a base (216) extending circumferentially about a portion of the annular wall from the barb to the stop. The barb, the stop, and the base define a retention channel (226). The plug is positioned within the channel of the cap body. The plug includes a plug wall (252) and a plug member (254a, 254b) extending from the plug wall. The biasing member is positioned within the channel of the cap body between the plug wall and the cap wall. The biasing member is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the cap wall away from the plug wall.