Elastic Valve Connector Preventing Liquid Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical connectors risk liquid contamination and drug accumulation due to the tip end of the pipe contacting the fluid path and the elastic valve deforming, creating a space for liquid accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a flow path and a valve made of elastic material, where the valve has a deformable portion with a slit that rotates to open without the pipe tip entering the flow path, reducing the risk of liquid accumulation by ensuring the pipe connects without entering the fluid path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip end of the pipe is inserted into the flow path to enable liquid flow, then the liquid can pass through the connector, but the tip end of the pipe contacts the liquid in the flow path causing bacterial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body acts as an intermediary component between the pipe and the flow path. When the pipe is connected, the valve body is pushed to open the valve, allowing liquid flow, but the pipe tip never enters the flow path directly. The valve mechanism mediates the connection, enabling fluid communication while maintaining physical separation between the pipe tip and the sterile flow path.
2Reliability
If the elastic portion of the valve deforms to open the insertion hole, then liquid flow is enabled, but a space is formed in the valve causing liquid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve utilizes dynamic deformation of the elastic portion to control liquid flow. The elastic portion deforms when pushed by the connected pipe, opening the insertion hole for fluid passage. After the pushing force is removed, the elastic portion automatically returns to its original shape, closing the insertion hole and preventing liquid accumulation. This dynamic mechanism ensures complete drainage without dead spaces.
3Ease of operation
If the valve is made of elastic material to enable deformation for opening/closing, then the valve can control liquid flow, but the deformation creates a bag-like shape forming spaces for liquid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve leverages the elastic material's dynamic properties to achieve automatic operation. The elastic portion deforms in response to external force (pipe connection) to open the valve, and automatically rebounds to close the valve when the force is removed. This dynamic elastic deformation enables simple, automatic valve operation without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve changes its physical shape parameter through elastic deformation. The elastic portion transitions from a closed configuration to an open configuration when force is applied, and returns to the closed configuration when force is removed. This parameter change (shape deformation) controls the opening and closing of the insertion hole, enabling flow control while preventing liquid accumulation through complete closure.
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
Prevents liquid contamination and accumulation by ensuring the pipe connects without entering the fluid path, maintaining liquid tightness and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is made of an elastic material, and has a slit-like insertion hole. The slit-like insertion hole of the valve is closed in the normal state... when the pipe is connected to the connector, the valve will be pressed by the pipe and thereby deform, so that the slit-like insertion hole is opened
Data Source
AI summary
A connector of the present invention includes a housing and a valve, wherein the housing has a flow path and a pipe connecting port, and the valve is formed of an elastic material and is adapted to block the pipe connecting port. The valve has a substantially columnar deformable portion. The deformable portion has a top surface exposed from the pipe connecting port, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a slit that reaches extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. When the top surface is pressed by the pipe, the deformable portion of the valve will be displaced toward the flow path while elastically deforming, so that inner surfaces that define the slit will face the flow path, and the top surface will form an opening that communicates with the flow path.