Dual Peristaltic Pump with Movable Stator for Flowable Product Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional peristaltic pumps for dispensing viscous liquids are often complex and bulky due to the need for precise alignment and operation of multiple rotors, which complicates the dispensing of both large and small quantities accurately.
Innovation Solution
A pumping apparatus featuring two peristaltic pumps with different stator diameters, where one stator is movable relative to the other, allowing for efficient dispensing of large quantities quickly and smaller quantities with high accuracy without requiring precise positioning, using a single pump housing to simplify fabrication and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If co-axially aligned rotors are used in a single shaft configuration, then multiple peristaltic pumps can operate together, but the apparatus becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the pumping system into two separate peristaltic pumps with independent rotors and stators rather than using a co-axial multi-rotor configuration. This segmentation allows each pump to operate independently while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
One stator is made movable relative to the other stator, allowing dynamic adjustment of the pumping system. This movability enables the apparatus to adapt between different dispensing modes (large quantity vs. small quantity) without requiring a complex fixed multi-rotor structure, thus improving productivity while keeping the device compact
2Measurement precision
If a single pump is used for both large and small quantity dispensing, then the device is simple, but accuracy for small quantities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses two peristaltic pumps with different stator diameters, where each pump is optimized for specific dispensing requirements. The first pump with its larger stator is optimized for large quantity dispensing with high efficiency, while the second pump with its smaller stator is optimized for small quantity dispensing with high accuracy. This local optimization of pump characteristics resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by selecting different pumps based on the dispensing quantity required. By having pumps with different stator diameters, the apparatus can switch between a larger-diameter pump for high-speed large-volume dispensing and a smaller-diameter pump for high-precision small-volume dispensing, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision
3Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning and alignment of stators is required during fabrication, then pump operation is accurate, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making one stator movable relative to the other, the apparatus eliminates the need for precise fixed positioning during fabrication. The movable stator can be adjusted after assembly to achieve the correct alignment, greatly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining accurate pump operation, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture
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
Enables efficient and accurate dispensing of flowable products by allowing the larger diameter pump to handle large quantities rapidly and the smaller diameter pump to handle smaller quantities with precision, while simplifying the manufacturing and alignment process.
Implementation Method 1
In a conventional peristaltic pump, flexible tubing is compressed between a stator and a rotor having one or more pressing members, and liquid is conveyed through the flexible tubing by peristaltic action as the rotor rotates.
Data Source
AI summary
A pumping apparatus 1 for dispensing a flowable product comprises first and second peristaltic pumps 12, 14. The first peristaltic pump 12 comprises a first rotor 18 having at least one pressing member 20, a first cylindrical stator 19 in which the first rotor 18 is rotatable and first flexible tubing 30 extending circumferentially around the first stator 19 against a first inner wall 19a. The second peristaltic pump 14 comprises a second rotor 42 having at least one pressing member 46, a second cylindrical stator 44 in which the second rotor 42 is rotatable and second flexible tubing 54 extending circumferentially around the second stator 44 against a second inner wall 44a. The first and second inner walls 19a, 44a each have a first and second radius r1, r2 respectively with the first radius r1 being greater than the second radius r2, and at least one of the stators 19, 44 is movable relative to the other stator 19, 44.