Vial Adapter Housing With Elastic Locking for Multiple Cap Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapter devices struggle with simple and reliable coupling with vials of different sizes, often requiring plastic deformation of locking sections or spring-loaded mechanisms that are not efficient or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
The adapter device features strut sections and spring-elastic spring arm sections that allow the housing to deform elastically, enabling locking sections to engage with vials of different sizes through axial influence, with locking sections arranged on spring arm sections to radially displace and secure larger caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the first locking sections are plastically bent under the influence of the second closure cover, then the second locking sections can engage with the second closure cover, but the housing experiences deformation that may compromise stability
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into strut sections and spring arm sections, allowing localized deformation in the spring arm sections while the strut sections maintain structural stability. This segmentation enables the housing to adapt to different vial sizes without compromising overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arm sections are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing the housing to dynamically adjust its shape when coupling with different vial sizes. The spring arm sections can elastically deform to accommodate the second closure cover and then return to their original shape, providing adaptability while maintaining stability through elastic recovery.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the material thicknesses are specifically matched to ensure dimensional stability, then only the first locking sections deform, but the design becomes more complex and manufacturing more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into strut sections and spring arm sections with different structural characteristics. The spring arm sections are designed with lower rigidity to allow elastic deformation, while the strut sections maintain higher rigidity for stability. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing different material thicknesses and properties in different regions rather than requiring precise matching throughout the entire housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing have different material properties and thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. The spring arm sections have local quality characteristics that allow elastic deformation, while the strut sections have local quality characteristics that provide structural support. This local differentiation simplifies manufacturing compared to uniform design requirements.
3Ease of operation
If spring arm sections are used to allow elastic deformation, then coupling with different vial sizes is simplified, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm sections are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the deformation mechanism with the housing itself rather than adding separate components. This integration allows elastic deformation for easy coupling while minimizing device complexity by avoiding additional parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arm sections serve multiple functions: they provide structural support as part of the housing, enable elastic deformation for adapting to different vial sizes, and facilitate easy coupling operations. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by combining multiple roles into a single structural element.
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
Enables simple and reliable coupling with vials of varying sizes, ensuring secure locking without significant deformation of the housing, and allowing cost-effective mass production using plastic materials.
Implementation Method 1
the housing is elastically deformable under the axial action of the second closure cover, starting from a first deformation state into a second deformation state in which the spring arm sections together with the first latching sections are resiliently displaced radially outwards
Data Source
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AI summary
1. Adapter device for coupling with medical vials of different sizes. 2.1 Such an adapter device comprising a housing with an axially oriented central longitudinal axis and an inner circumference located radially inside, several first locking sections, each arranged on the inner circumference and configured for locking with a first closure cap of a vial of a first size, and several second locking sections, each arranged on the inner circumference and configured for locking with a second closure cap of a vial of a second size, wherein the first closure cap has a first diameter and the second closure cap has a larger second diameter, is known. 2.2 According to the invention, the housing has several strut sections arranged axially offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the housing, as well as spring-elastic spring arm sections extending between the strut sections, on which at least the first locking sections are arranged. Under axial influence of the second closure cover, the housing can be elastically deformed from a first deformation state, in which the spring arm sections together with the first locking sections are arranged relative to the central longitudinal axis for locking with the first closure cover, to a second deformation state, in which the spring arm sections together with the first locking sections are displaced radially outwards relative to the central longitudinal axis in a spring-elastic manner to enable a locking connection between the second locking sections and the second closure cover. 2.3 Use in infusion therapy.