Peritoneal Dialysis Drain Shell Damping System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peritoneal dialysis machines face issues with load cell overload and damage due to impermissible force application and uneven load distribution, often caused by accidental deflection or improper loading of the drain bowl, which can lead to vibrations damaging the load cell.

Innovation Solution

A damping system is introduced that connects the drain bowl indirectly to the load cell via a damper and a force transmission element, reducing the direct impact of forces and moments on the load cell, thereby preventing overload and damping vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drain bowl is directly connected to the load cell, then the weight measurement is direct and simple, but the load cell is vulnerable to overload and damage from impermissible forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload cell protectionVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A damper is introduced as an intermediary element between the drain bowl and the load cell. This damper serves as a mediator that transmits the weight of the drain bowl to the load cell while simultaneously protecting the load cell from impermissible forces and vibrations. The damper absorbs and attenuates harmful dynamic loads while allowing static weight measurement to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between direct measurement simplicity and load cell protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the drain bowl is rigidly connected to the load cell, then the structure is simple, but vibrations in the drain bowl can damage or overload the load cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoiddamping system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is installed in advance between the drain bowl and the load cell to provide protective cushioning against future vibrations and shocks. This beforehand cushioning mechanism is always in place to absorb and dampen vibrational energy before it can reach and damage the load cell, preventing harmful effects before they occur while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the drain bowl is accidentally deflected beyond a certain extent, then the user may apply impermissible force, but direct connection transmits this force to the load cell causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce limitationVSAvoiduser operation tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The damper converts harmful impermissible forces and accidental deflections into beneficial protective effects. When the user accidentally applies excessive force or deflects the drain bowl beyond normal limits, the damper absorbs and dissipates this harmful energy through its damping characteristics, transforming what would be damaging forces into harmless vibrations that are quickly attenuated, thus protecting the load cell while allowing reasonable user operation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 damping system effectively limits torque and force on the load cell, preventing damage and ensuring accurate weight measurement by reducing the impact of impermissible forces and vibrations, thus enhancing the reliability of the peritoneal dialysis machine.

Implementation Method 1

The damper dampens vibrations in which the drain bowl has accidentally been set. The load on the load cell is thus correspondingly reduced, since the movements or the forces and moments that act on the drain bowl are not directly but only indirectly and dampenedly transmitted to the load cell.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The load cell determines the weight of the drain bowl or the bag or bags in it.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3334476B1Peritoneal dialysis device
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3334476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334476B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3334476B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis device having at least one device housing and at least one drain shell for receiving one or more solution bags for storing used dialysate, wherein the drain shell is connected to at least one weighing cell such that the weight of the drain shell can be detected by means of the weighing cell, wherein there is at least one damping system in order to prevent inadmissible force from being transmitted to the weighing cell, wherein the damping system has at least one damper to which the drain shell is directly or indirectly fastened, wherein the damper is connected to the weighing cell such that the weight of the drain shell having effect thereupon is transferred to the weighing cell.