Blood Purification Unit Layout for Accessible Dialysate Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hemodialysis systems have components requiring regular maintenance located on both the front and back sides, compromising maintainability due to the lack of consideration for easy access and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A blood purification device design where components requiring maintenance are exposed in an attachment space that becomes accessible when the second unit is detached, and is closed when attached, with regular components on a separate surface for easy replacement and maintenance, and the power and electronic units are positioned to minimize liquid exposure and maintain mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components requiring maintenance are located on both front and back sides of the dialysate generator, then the device can accommodate all necessary components, but maintainability deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing components on the back side
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a main body unit and a detachable second unit. The first group of components requiring maintenance is integrated into the main body, while the second group of components is integrated into the detachable second unit. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access the first group of components from the front side while the second unit can be detached to access the second group of components, thereby improving overall maintainability while accommodating all necessary components.
2Device complexity
If the attachment space is closed by the second unit, then device compactness and mobility are improved, but access to maintenance components is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The second unit is designed to be detachable from the main body, transforming the device from a static closed structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. When the second unit is attached, the attachment space is closed providing device compactness and mobility. When maintenance is required, the second unit can be detached to open the attachment space, providing access to the first group of components, and then reattached to restore compactness. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.
3Ease of repair
If the back panel is opened to allow replacement of carbon filter and reverse osmosis, then maintenance access is improved, but device structural integrity and compactness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of opening the back panel of the entire device, the device is segmented into a main body and a detachable second unit. The carbon filter and reverse osmosis components are integrated into the second unit, which can be detached as a complete module for maintenance. This approach provides maintenance access without compromising the structural integrity of the main body, as only the removable second unit needs to be separated rather than opening the main structural back panel.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood purification device that purifies blood using dialysate, the blood purification device includes a first unit that is a main body of the device and a second unit to be attached to the first unit. The first unit includes a first group of components requiring maintenance, and an attachment space in which the first group of components is exposed. The attachment space is open to the outside of the first unit in a state that the second unit is detached from the first unit. The attachment space is closed by the second unit in a state that the second unit is attached to the first unit.