Diaphragm Membrane Flap for Tool-Free Sensor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in monitoring and diagnosing diaphragms in valves and pumps, particularly in sterile process engineering, due to the unavailability of continuously measured state variables and the need for sterile-cleanable designs, which complicates the integration of electrical components in elastomer diaphragms.
Innovation Solution
A membrane for valves and pumps is developed with an integrated data storage device, allowing easy separation of mechanical and electronic components, and featuring a flap that can be torn off without tools, with reinforcing elements and perforations at predetermined breaking points to facilitate recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical components are integrated into the elastomer diaphragm for monitoring and diagnosis, then measurement capability is improved, but separation of mechanical and electronic components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is divided into two separable parts: the elastomer membrane and the flap containing the data storage device. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be easily separated from the mechanical membrane after use, resolving the contradiction between integration for measurement and separability for recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The data storage device is extracted from the elastomer material and placed in a separate flap that can be easily detached. This extraction enables independent handling and recycling of the electronic components without thermal destruction of the elastomer, solving the separation difficulty while maintaining measurement capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the data storage device is embedded in the elastomer, then integration is improved, but recycling and separation become difficult requiring thermal destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm structure is segmented into an elastomer membrane and a separate flap containing the data storage device. This segmentation maintains stable integration during use while enabling easy separation for recycling, eliminating the need for thermal destruction and preserving both elastomer and electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery of valuable components by allowing easy separation of the data storage device from the elastomer membrane. The flap can be detached and the data storage device recovered for reuse, while the elastomer membrane can be recycled separately, improving overall recycling efficiency without requiring thermal destruction.
3Strength
If the membrane is designed as a composite of elastomer and reinforcement, then strength is improved, but separation of components for recycling becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The composite membrane is segmented into the elastomer-reinforcement composite and the separate flap. This segmentation maintains the strength benefits of composite construction while creating a clear separation interface for recycling, allowing the composite membrane to be easily separated from the flap containing electronic components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for diagnosing a diaphragm of a diaphragm valve or a diaphragm pump comprising a first component, consisting of a diaphragm provided in a housing, consisting of several diaphragm layers, wherein a part of the diaphragm protrudes from the housing and forms the so-called flap, and a second component, wherein the second component is arranged in a part of the flap, wherein a predetermined breaking point is provided between the flap and the remaining diaphragm.