Conical Membrane Valve for Tolerance-Robust Fluid Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve mechanisms for IV infusion pumps require tight tolerance designs, increasing manufacturing costs and sensitivity to design and manufacturing errors, and often necessitate complex actuation systems.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a flexible valve membrane with a conical shape that operates within a rigid valve seat, allowing fluid flow when undeformed and disconnecting when radially deformed by an external force, eliminating the need for a retraction mechanism and reducing the number of parts in the pump assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight tolerance design is used for valve and actuation feature, then complete closure of fluid path is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and sensitivity to manufacturing errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible valve membrane made of elastomeric material that can deform radially to close the fluid path. This flexible membrane replaces the need for tight tolerance mechanical components, allowing reliable valve closure through material compliance rather than precision machining. The membrane's ability to conform and seal effectively reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the valve component from rigid to flexible. By using an elastomeric material with specific durometer hardness (30-60 Shore A), the system achieves reliable sealing through controlled deformation rather than precise mechanical alignment. This parameter change from rigidity to flexibility resolves the contradiction between reliable closure and ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If tight tolerance design is used for valve and actuation feature, then complete closure of fluid path is achieved, but sensitivity to design and manufacturing errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric membrane inherently compensates for manufacturing variations through its compliance. The material can deform to accommodate slight dimensional variations in the valve seat or actuation features, ensuring reliable fluid path closure without requiring high manufacturing precision. This flexibility makes the system robust against manufacturing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly combines rigid components (valve seat, actuation feature) with a flexible elastomeric membrane. This composite structure leverages the strengths of both material types: the rigid parts provide structural support and defined geometry, while the flexible membrane provides tolerance compensation and reliable sealing, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing errors in the rigid components.
3Ease of operation
If traditional valve mechanism with actuation feature and restorative force is used, then valve operation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to need for retraction mechanism and additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the restorative force mechanism (such as springs or retraction actuators) from the valve system. The flexible elastomeric membrane itself provides the restorative force through its elastic properties, naturally returning to its original shape after deformation. This extraction of the separate restorative mechanism simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining full valve operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric valve membrane is self-restoring through its inherent elastic properties. When the actuation force is removed, the material's elasticity automatically returns the membrane to its original position, opening the fluid path without requiring external retraction mechanisms. This self-service characteristic eliminates additional parts and simplifies the pump assembly.
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 design simplifies the valve actuation mechanism, improves reliability, and reduces costs by using a flexible membrane to provide a restorative force for opening the valve, eliminating the need for additional restorative parts like coil springs.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible membrane to provide a restorative force for opening the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for controlling delivery of fluid includes a valve seat comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a well having a passage, and a valve membrane comprising a conical portion having a base and a tip. The conical portion is configured to fit within the passage of the valve seat. The valve membrane is configured to fluidly connect the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet when the valve membrane is in an undeformed position and fluidly disconnect the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet when the valve membrane is in a radially deformed position.