Additive Pneumatic Manifold for Low-Leakage Dialysis Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dialysis systems face challenges in efficiently disconnecting and reconnecting pneumatic components due to complex assembly processes, which can lead to damage and increased assembly time, cost, and risk of leakage.
Innovation Solution
An integrated pneumatic manifold is manufactured using additive manufacturing, integrating pneumatic passageways and fittings, reducing the number of components and assembly steps, and optimizing tubing orientation and organization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional assembled pneumatic manifold is used, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate pneumatic components (manifold body, fittings, seals, mounting brackets) into a single integrated additive manufactured component. This consolidation reduces the number of parts from multiple separate pieces to one monolithic structure, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining repairability through the modular nature of the additive manufacturing process itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional assembled pneumatic manifold is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing technology to fundamentally change the manufacturing parameters and process. Instead of traditional machining and assembly of multiple parts, the pneumatic manifold is fabricated as a single integrated component layer-by-layer, achieving complex internal geometries and tight tolerances that are difficult or impossible to obtain through conventional manufacturing methods.
3Reliability
If complex assembly process is used, then reliability is improved, but assembly time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates all necessary pneumatic features (passageways, fittings, seals, mounting structures) into the manifold design during the additive manufacturing process itself. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for subsequent assembly steps, sealing operations, and alignment procedures, thereby maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing assembly time and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manifold includes a valve side including a plurality of valve mounts; and a tube fitting side including a plurality of integrally formed tube fittings. The additive manifold includes at least one passageway formed between the valve side and the tube fitting side, the at least one passageway allowing fluid communication between the valve mounts and the tube fittings.