Two-Material Nozzle Guide for Robust Medical Gas Sockets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid distribution sockets for medical gases and vacuum in hospitals face challenges in maintenance, waste reduction, and robustness, particularly in the tip guide's structure and manufacturing process, which generates metal waste and requires frequent disassembly and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A tip guide comprising a filtration element with a polymer support part and a metallic connection head, allowing for detachable attachment within a fluid distribution socket, reducing metal waste and ensuring robustness for frequent connections and disconnections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the tip guide is made entirely of metal material, then robustness for frequent connection/disconnection operations is improved, but metal waste during manufacturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverobustnessVSAvoidmetal waste
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tip guide is constructed using composite materials: the connection head is made of metal material (stainless steel or brass) to ensure robustness for frequent connection/disconnection operations, while the body is made of polymer material to reduce metal waste during manufacturing. This composite structure allows each part to be made from the most suitable material for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the tip guide structure is simplified for easier manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but robustness for frequent operations may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrobustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tip guide is divided into two separate parts: a connection head and a body, which are manufactured separately and then assembled together. This segmentation allows the connection head to be manufactured with metal material for robustness while the body can be manufactured with polymer material for ease of production, ultimately improving both manufacturing simplicity and robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the tip guide is designed for detachable attachment, then ease of maintenance is improved, but connection reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tip guide is designed as a detachable, replaceable component with a simplified structure that allows for easy maintenance and replacement. The connection head with its threading mechanism enables straightforward attachment and detachment from the socket, facilitating quick maintenance while maintaining sufficient connection reliability for medical applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces metal waste, and provides the necessary robustness for frequent operations while ensuring effective filtration and connection reliability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one gas filtration membrane being arranged in said at least one side opening so as to cover said at least one side opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3922894B1Guiding end tip for a fluid distribution wall socket made of two materials
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 AIR LIQUIDE MEDICAL
  • EP3922894B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3922894B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle guide (108) for a fluid distribution outlet (100), i.e., a gas or vacuum outlet, comprising a front portion and a rear portion detachably joined to each other. The rear portion (108B) includes a filter element (1) comprising a support piece (2) carrying gas filtration membranes (6) arranged with lateral openings (5). The front portion (108A) includes a connection head (210) with an axial gas passage (211) and fastening means (130) for allowing detachable attachment of the nozzle guide (108) in a fluid distribution outlet (100). The support piece (2) of the filter element (1) of the rear portion (108B) of the nozzle guide (108) is made of polymer material, while the connection head (210) of the front portion (108A) is made of metallic material.Fluid distribution socket (100) having a socket body (102) in which is arranged such a nozzle guide (108) including such a filtration element (1).