Segmented Loading Body for Elastic Ring Stretching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for stretching elastic rings, such as those used for treating haemorrhoidal complaints, face challenges in loading and maintaining the ring due to complex geometric conformation, leading to prolonged application time, ring slippage, and difficulty in correct positioning and recovery.
Innovation Solution
A device with a loading body and pushing means featuring a tubular shape with radial ribs and grooves facilitates easy sliding and positioning of the elastic ring, allowing it to autonomously translate to the housing seating, reducing operator effort and minimizing loading errors, with pre-loading means enabling single-use application and easy ring recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conical tip with progressively-increasing transversal sections is used, then the rubber ring can be stretched and positioned, but the application requires complete sliding of the pushing means from start to end, causing prolonged application time
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is divided into three distinct sections: a conical section for initial ring capture, a cylindrical section for positioning, and a terminal section for final seating. This segmentation allows the ring to be manipulated in stages rather than requiring complete sliding through the entire length, reducing application time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical section performs the preliminary action of capturing and guiding the ring onto the tip before the main positioning action occurs in the cylindrical section. This preliminary capture reduces the distance the pushing means must travel, thereby reducing overall application time while ensuring accurate final positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the pushing means is distracted or removed during application, then the operator can attend to other tasks, but the rubber ring slides back from its assumed position
Solution Approach 1:
The tip's segmented structure creates distinct functional zones where the ring is progressively secured. Once the ring passes through the conical section and into the cylindrical section, its position becomes stable and self-maintaining, allowing the operator to remove the pushing means without the ring sliding back.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical section acts as an intermediary zone between the conical capture section and the terminal seating section. This intermediate cylindrical portion provides a stable transition zone where the ring is held securely by geometry alone, preventing backward sliding even when the pushing means is removed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal portion has two cylindrical tracts with different diameters, then the release pistol can be inserted, but wrong loading causes the ring to fall onto the second cylindrical tract, making recovery difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical section is designed to perform preliminary positioning of the ring in a stable, accessible location before final insertion of the release pistol. If loading is incorrect, the ring remains in this intermediate cylindrical zone where it can be easily recovered, rather than being lost in the terminal section.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical section serves as an intermediary recovery zone between the conical section and the terminal double-cylindrical section. This intermediate zone with its uniform diameter provides a stable, accessible position where incorrectly loaded rings can be easily retrieved without requiring complex recovery operations.
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 device simplifies the loading process, reduces operator effort, minimizes loading errors, and facilitates easy ring recovery, ensuring efficient and accurate placement of the elastic ring on the release pistol, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The device comprises a tip, exhibiting at least a conical tract and a cylindrical tract... the rubber ring requires a prolonged application of the pushing means to reach the housing seating
Data Source
AI summary
A device for stretching a plastic ring which comprises pushing means (2) and a loading body (5) which are reciprocally slidable across a plurality of ribs (4) solidly constrained to the pushing means (2), and a plurality of grooves (6) afforded on the loading body (5). The loading body (5) exhibits a first substantially conical portion (7) exhibiting a base (7a), having an external diameter (D) and an apex (7b). The loading body (5) further comprises a second portion (8), contiguous to the first conical portion (7) and exhibiting a proximal end (8a) and a distal end (8b).