Tree Injection Tip With Bullet Point to Prevent Ejector Hole Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree injection methods cause significant damage to trees, particularly palm trees, due to the need for large holes or cuts, and the liquid ejector holes in needles often become plugged during insertion or withdrawal, leading to inefficiencies and increased manual effort.
Innovation Solution
An injection tip with a bullet-shaped point member having a larger diameter than the needle, creating a low pressure zone adjacent the liquid ejector holes, which prevents plugging during insertion and withdrawal, and counter-sunk holes to facilitate easier penetration and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle with liquid ejector holes is inserted into a palm tree, then liquid chemical can be delivered into the tree, but the liquid ejector holes become plugged by tree fiber during insertion or withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The needle structure is designed with different properties at different locations: the forward portion has a larger diameter than the rearward portion, creating a localized enlarged section. This local quality difference generates a pressure differential that prevents tree fiber from blocking the liquid ejector holes during insertion and withdrawal operations.
2Productivity
If a large hole or cut is made in the tree to accommodate the chemical injector, then liquid chemical can be injected into the tree, but significant damage is done to the tree tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is divided into separate components: a removable injection tip with needle that can be inserted through minimal openings, rather than requiring a large continuous cut. This segmentation allows chemical delivery through small punctures that cause significantly less damage to tree tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle acts as an intermediary tool that delivers liquid chemical through minimal tissue disruption. Instead of directly injecting through large cuts, the needle serves as a mediator that enables chemical delivery through small punctures, reducing harmful effects on the tree.
3Productivity
If a two-step operation is used to make a cut and then inject chemical, then chemical can be delivered into the tree, but the operation is time consuming and involves considerable manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The injection tip combines the cutting function and injection function into a single integrated tool. The needle's forward portion acts as a cutting element that creates its own insertion path while simultaneously serving as the delivery conduit for liquid chemical, merging two separate operations into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle's forward cutting portion performs the tissue penetration action before the liquid chemical is delivered. This preliminary action of creating the insertion path beforehand eliminates the need for separate cutting and injection steps, streamlining the operation.
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 solution minimizes tree damage by allowing easier insertion and withdrawal of the needle, reducing the likelihood of plugging and enabling efficient liquid chemical delivery with reduced manual effort and equipment weight.
Implementation Method 1
creating a low pressure zone adjacent the liquid ejector holes, which prevents plugging during insertion and withdrawal
Data Source
AI summary
An injection tip for use with an injector for injecting liquid chemical into a tree such as a palm tree which includes a body portion, a needle and a point member mounted on the forward end of the needle. The needle has liquid ejector holes formed therein adjacent the forward end thereof.