Two-position actuator with toggle mechanism for medical pipe clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe clamp devices in medical applications face inefficiencies due to solenoid-based actuators that require continuous energization, generate heat, and have suboptimal speed and pinch pressure, leading to reduced reliability and lifespan, while also being costly and energy-inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A two-position actuator system incorporating a rotary electric motor with a toggle mechanism, including a spring and non-straight movable arm, allowing for bistable operation with minimal energy consumption, featuring a rocker mechanism and cam design for efficient clamping and quick position switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If solenoid-based actuators are used in pipe clamp devices, then the device can be compact and relatively low cost, but the actuator requires continuous energization, generates heat, and has suboptimal performance in terms of speed and pinch pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a solenoid that is energized only during the clamping operation rather than continuously. The solenoid actuates a plunger that moves a lever to clamp the tube, and once clamped, the spring maintains the closed position without requiring continuous electrical power. This periodic energization eliminates heat generation from continuous operation while maintaining effective pinch pressure during the required clamping phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a spring-loaded lever mechanism that transforms the brief solenoid actuation into sustained mechanical force. The spring stores energy during actuation and releases it to maintain clamping pressure, creating a dynamic system that achieves high pinch pressure during operation while consuming minimal energy overall, thereby resolving the contradiction between power output and energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If solenoid-based actuators are used in pipe clamp devices, then the device structure can be simple, but the actuator generates heat requiring cooling and has reduced reliability and lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
By energizing the solenoid only periodically during clamping operations rather than continuously, the patent significantly reduces heat generation. This periodic operation allows the simple solenoid structure to maintain high reliability and lifespan, as the thermal stress and wear are minimized during brief actuation cycles followed by passive spring-maintained clamping.
3Speed
If conventional solenoid actuators are used, then the device can be compact, but the speed and pinch pressure performance is not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spring-loaded lever mechanism that amplifies the solenoid's motion into rapid clamping action. The spring pre-loaded on the lever provides mechanical advantage, enabling both high clamping speed and high pinch pressure to be achieved simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between speed and power performance.
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 actuator provides reliable, fast, and energy-efficient operation with high gripping force, ensuring safe and controlled fluid flow, and can be easily installed and removed, addressing the limitations of traditional solenoid-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes a toggle mechanism including a spring and a non-straight movable arm. The spring is fixed on the one hand to the mobile arm and on the other hand to a fixed spring anchor on a fixed support.
Implementation Method 2
an actuator comprising an electric motor with a rotary output shaft and an output member switchable between two angular positions fixed to the output shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Actuator (8, 8') comprising an electric motor (10) with a rotary output shaft (34) and an output member (14) that can be switched between two angular positions which is fixed to the output shaft. The actuator comprises a rocker mechanism (16) comprising a spring (46) and a non-rectilinear mobile arm (48), the spring being fixed on the one hand to the mobile arm and on the other hand to a fixed spring anchor (36) on a support (12) that is fixed relative to the electric motor, the mobile arm (48) being coupled by means of a pivot (42) to the support (38) of the output member in a pivoting manner, a virtual line (L) formed between the centres of said pivot of the rocker mechanism and said fixed spring anchor corresponding to a resultant of the traction force on the mobile arm, the non-rectilinear shape of the mobile arm (48) being configured so as to allow the mobile arm partially to surround the output shaft (34) of the electric motor in one of said two positions.