Syringe Actuating Assembly Positioning Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuating assemblies for syringes in pharmaceutical product preparation machines fail to ensure the correct initial position of the cylinder and piston, leading to potential errors in dosing pharmaceutical products.

Innovation Solution

An actuating assembly with a gripping device that includes jaws and a mechanism to securely position the syringe, ensuring correct alignment and movement of the piston within the cylinder, regardless of size variations, using a combination of belt conveyors, cradles, and a star-shaped wheel for precise handling and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a robotized arm transfers syringes to the actuating assembly, then automation is improved, but the correct initial position of the cylinder and piston cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of syringe transferVSAvoidinitial position accuracy of cylinder and piston

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary positioning means (positioning pins, positioning surfaces, and positioning grooves) that pre-establish the correct initial position of the cylinder and piston before the actuating assembly begins its dosing operation. The positioning pin inserted into the positioning groove and the positioning surface contact ensure that the syringe components are correctly positioned in advance, eliminating the need for complex post-transfer adjustments and ensuring dosing accuracy despite automated transfer variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If simple gripping devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but consistent positioning of syringes cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of gripping deviceVSAvoidpositioning consistency of syringe

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device is segmented into distinct functional components: gripping jaws for holding the syringe, preliminary positioning means with positioning pins and grooves for establishing initial position, and actuating means for movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while keeping the overall device relatively simple. The positioning pin and groove mechanism is a separate, dedicated feature that adds minimal complexity but ensures consistent positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary positioning elements (positioning pins, positioning surfaces, positioning grooves) that mediate between the gripping device and the syringe. These intermediaries ensure accurate positioning without requiring the gripping device itself to be overly complex. The positioning pin acts as an intermediary that transfers precise positional information from the device to the syringe, decoupling the gripping function from the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no preliminary positioning mechanism is provided, then device complexity is minimized, but dosing accuracy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of positioning componentsVSAvoiddosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary positioning means (positioning pins, positioning surfaces, and positioning grooves) that pre-establish the correct initial position of the cylinder and piston before the actuating assembly begins its dosing operation. The positioning pin inserted into the positioning groove and the positioning surface contact ensure that the syringe components are correctly positioned in advance, eliminating the need for complex post-transfer adjustments and ensuring dosing accuracy despite automated transfer variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8632738B2Syringe actuating method and assembly

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 OMNICELL INC

AI summary

A syringe, defined by a cylinder and by a piston slidingly engaged in the cylinder itself, is actuated after having inserted the cylinder within a gripper and having axially fed the syringe through the gripper so as to move an outer flange of the cylinder into contact with the gripper and/or the piston in a stop position within the cylinder.