Compact Veterinary Applicator with Perpendicular Barrel and Triggered Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid applicators for veterinary and animal husbandry are too long and cumbersome, leading to user fatigue and increased time for dose delivery, especially when treating large numbers of animals, and require complex disassembly for servicing due to the inline configuration of components.
Innovation Solution
The design features a piston actuator assembly with a user-operated handle that pivots to tension a biasing component, allowing independent movement of the piston, and a compact orientation of the barrel and valves relative to the actuating means, enabling easier maneuverability and servicing by separating the dose assembly from the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the applicator uses an inline configuration of inlet, inlet valving, barrel with piston, outlet valving, and applicator, then the components are simple to manufacture, but the applicator becomes quite long and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the barrel and piston assembly perpendicular to the handle axis, transforming the linear inline arrangement into a multi-dimensional compact configuration. The barrel extends perpendicular to the handle, and the piston moves within this perpendicular plane, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to reduce the overall length of the applicator while maintaining all necessary functional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the applicator uses a long barrel to accommodate full piston stroke for maximum dose, then the applicator can deliver a range of doses, but the applicator becomes longer and more prone to getting hung up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the piston stroke into multiple controllable positions using a dosage control part with stopping ribs. Instead of requiring a single long barrel for maximum dose, the system divides the stroke into adjustable segments, allowing the piston to stop at different positions along the barrel to deliver different doses. This segmentation enables dose versatility while keeping the barrel length manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable dosage control part with multiple stopping ribs that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the user to select different maximum stroke positions for the piston, enabling the applicator to adapt between delivering minimal doses (with short stroke) and maximum doses (with full stroke), all within the same compact barrel length.
3Quantity of substance
If the handle stroke is shortened for minimal dose delivery, then the dose can be reduced, but the user's hand leverage is compromised and stiction must still be overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic trigger mechanism that decouples the handle stroke distance from the actual piston stroke distance. The trigger mechanism allows the user to pull the handle through a comfortable, full-length stroke to overcome stiction and activate the valve, while the piston only moves the minimal distance required for the desired dose. This dynamic separation maintains user leverage and ease of operation regardless of dose size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a trigger mechanism as an intermediary between the handle and the piston. This intermediary component allows the user to apply force through a full handle stroke for optimal leverage, while the trigger controls the actual piston movement to match the desired minimal dose. The trigger acts as a mediator that translates the user's full stroke input into the precise, limited piston output needed for minimal dosing.
4Device complexity
If the applicator components are configured inline for simplicity, then the structure is straightforward, but the applicator requires complex disassembly for servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the applicator into distinct functional modules: a handle assembly, a trigger mechanism, and a dose delivery assembly containing the barrel and piston. These segmented modules are connected in a way that allows the dose delivery assembly to be easily detached and serviced independently. The perpendicular configuration of the barrel relative to the handle creates natural separation points that facilitate modular disassembly for maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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
This configuration results in a more compact, user-friendly applicator that maintains dose accuracy and reduces user fatigue, allowing for efficient delivery of fluids regardless of dose size and fluid properties, with simplified servicing and reduced risk of repetitive injury.
Implementation Method 1
a first actuating component driven by a user operated handle to pivot and tension a first biasing component, a second actuating component held in position against a force of the first biasing component
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an applicator, and a handle for an applicator. The applicator has at least one barrel and a piston moveable within the at least one barrel to stroke between a variable first position and a second position. In use, movement of the piston towards the first position can draw a first fluid into the barrel, and movement of the piston towards the second position can force the first fluid out of the barrel. The barrel has at least one fluid inlet valve to allow the fluid to flow into the at least one barrel at least under action of the piston, and at least one fluid outlet valve to allow the first fluid to flow out of the at least one barrel at least under action of the piston. A handle has a piston actuator assembly, housed at least in part within a body of the handle, operable to move the piston towards the second position to dispense the first fluid from the applicator. The piston actuator has a first actuating component driven by a user operated handle to pivot and tension a first biasing component, a second actuating component held in position against a force of the first biasing component, a first trigger component that holds the second actuating component in place until a required force is reached by the first biasing component, or a second trigger component releases the first trigger component. The second actuating component is then released and driven by the force of the first biasing component to in turn drive the piston toward the second position. The movement of the first actuating component is independent of the stroke of the piston.