Symmetric Needle Shield Remover for Orientation-Independent Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of medicament delivery device components, including needle shield removers and caps, is complex and time-consuming, especially when components are picked from bulk transport boxes without pre-orientation, requiring operators to determine the correct orientation for assembly.
Innovation Solution
A symmetric needle shield remover with structural features arranged around a plane of symmetry at the mid-length of a longitudinally elongated tubular body, allowing for assembly without orienting the needle shield in a particular longitudinal direction, featuring symmetrically disposed cap fastening and gripping members that can engage the cap and needle shield from either end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If asymmetric gripping members and cap fastening members are used, then the needle shield remover can engage specific components, but the assembly operation becomes time-consuming as operators must determine the correct orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse - it uses symmetry to solve an orientation problem. The gripping members and cap fastening members are configured symmetrically so that the needle shield remover can be assembled to the cap in any orientation without requiring the operator to determine the correct end, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable engagement
2Ease of manufacture
If components are picked from bulk transport boxes without pre-orientation, then material handling is simplified, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield remover is designed with symmetric gripping members and cap fastening members that can engage the cap from any orientation. This universal engagement capability allows components to be picked from bulk transport boxes without pre-orientation, as the remover can be assembled to the cap regardless of which end faces the cap, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A needle shield remover for assembly with a cap of a medicament delivery device, wherein the needle shield remover comprises a longitudinally elongated tubular body (10, 10′, 10″) having a plurality of structural features, wherein said plurality of structural features are symmetrically disposed on the tubular body (10, 10′, 10″), in relation to a plane of symmetry which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis.