Elastic Hose Clamp for Volumetric Pump Force Peak Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical hose clamps face issues with high force peaks during closure due to varying hose designs and dimensions, leading to operational difficulties and safety risks, particularly in infusion pumps where unintended 'free-flow' situations can occur if the locking system fails to secure properly.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an elastically movable coupling between the clamping sections via connecting members, which decouples the force flow and allows for secure positioning, reducing the risk of unintentional loosening and enhancing the locking mechanism's reliability by absorbing stress peaks and maintaining intended rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the two clamping legs are rigidly connected to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but high force peaks occur during closure due to varying hose dimensions and elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidforce peaks during closure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping leg is designed with elastic mobility through connecting members (such as elastic arms or springs) that allow dynamic adjustment during the clamping process. This enables the system to absorb force peaks when closing while maintaining secure locking when latched, transforming the rigid connection into a dynamically adaptable one that responds to varying hose dimensions and elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the clamping jaw is rigidly connected to the clamping section, then structural stability is improved, but the locking system may not securely latch due to force peaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidlatching security
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping jaw is elastically connected to the clamping section via connecting members, allowing the jaw to move independently during closure to absorb force peaks. This dynamic connection maintains structural stability of the overall assembly while ensuring the locking system can securely latch without being compromised by excessive forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping leg is divided into distinct functional sections: a rigid clamping section for secure positioning and locking, and an elastic connecting member with movable jaw for absorbing closure forces. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If manual force is applied to close the hose clamp against high force peaks, then the clamping action is achieved, but operator effort increases and safety risk rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping actionVSAvoidsafety risk of free-flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic connecting members automatically absorb force peaks during closure, reducing the manual force required from the operator. This dynamic force absorption mechanism prevents unintended loosening and reduces safety risks associated with improper clamping, making the operation easier and safer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 facilitates safer and easier loading and clamping of medical hoses, ensuring secure locking and reducing the risk of 'free-flow' situations by intercepting force peaks and maintaining a secure clamping position, thus enhancing operational reliability and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the first clamping jaw (6a) is elastically/resiliently movable to the first clamping section (4a) via a connecting member (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3461528B1Hose clamp and volumetric pump with hose clamp
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP3461528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3461528B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3461528B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical hose clamp (1) for clamping a flexible medical hose (3), comprising: a hose receiving area (7) adapted to receive the medical hose (3), a first clamping section (4a) with a first clamping jaw (6a) which is movable relative to a second clamping section (4b) with a second clamping jaw (6b), and a locking system (10) for securely positioning the two clamping sections (4a, 4b) in more than one detent position relative to each other, such that when the locking system (10) is not engaged, the medical hose (3) can be inserted into and removed from the hose clamp (1), in an open detent position the inserted medical hose (3) cannot be removed and is not clamped, and in a clamped detent position the medical hose (3) is clamped between the first clamping jaw (6a) and the second clamping jaw (6b).wherein the first clamping jaw (6a) is elastically movable relative to the first clamping section (4a) via a connecting element (15) and/or the second clamping jaw (6b) is elastically movable relative to the second clamping section (4b) via a connecting element (15). The invention also relates to a volumetric pump (2) according to the dependent claim.