Flash Seal Check Valve Assembly for Low-Flow Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves used in medical devices for fluid flow are prone to low flow leakage due to particulates getting caught between the elastomeric seal and the seal bead, which is exacerbated by dual seal beads requiring exact alignment to prevent gaps.
Innovation Solution
A check valve assembly with dual sealing rings, where an inner and outer ring seal engages with respective seal beads, with the outer ring being more flexible to close first and prevent particulates from reaching the inner seal, ensuring a fully sealed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual seal beads are used to improve sealing reliability, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for exact alignment between seal beads
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two separate seal beads (first seal bead and second seal bead) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each seal bead to independently engage with the seal, providing redundant sealing paths and improving overall sealing reliability without requiring perfect alignment between the two beads
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomeric seal acts as an intermediary element between the two seal beads and the fluid path. The seal flexes to engage with each seal bead sequentially, accommodating minor misalignments and ensuring reliable sealing even when seal beads are not perfectly aligned
2Reliability
If dual seal beads are used to prevent leakage, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two separate seal beads positioned at different locations within the check valve assembly. This segmentation creates multiple independent sealing zones, improving leakage prevention while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the use of a single elastomeric seal that engages both beads
Solution Approach 2:
Each seal bead is positioned to engage with a specific portion of the elastomeric seal at different locations. The first seal bead engages one region while the second seal bead engages another region, allowing local sealing actions that collectively prevent leakage without requiring complex overall configuration
3Device complexity
If a single seal is used to simplify the design, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to particulate interference causing low flow leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The single seal is segmented into two distinct seal beads positioned at different locations within the check valve. This segmentation creates multiple sealing contact points, preventing particulates from compromising the entire seal and improving leakage resistance while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The first seal bead engages the elastomeric seal before the second seal bead, creating a preliminary sealing action that prevents particulates from reaching the second seal bead. This prior cushioning effect protects the second sealing interface from contamination, ensuring reliable leakage prevention
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 dual sealing ring design effectively prevents low flow leakage by ensuring the inner seal can close completely, enhancing safety and reducing risks in medical fluid flow applications.
Implementation Method 1
the outer ring is more flexible to close first and prevent particulates from reaching the inner seal
Implementation Method 2
the inner ring is configured to engage with the first seal bead and the outer ring is configured to engage with the second seal bead
Data Source
AI summary
Check valve assemblies for fluid flow sets and devices are provided. The check valve assembly includes an inlet body including a fluid inlet, a first seal bead and a second seal bead, and an outlet body including a fluid outlet. A seal includes inner and outer rings, wherein, in a fully sealed position of the check valve assembly, the inner ring is configured to engage with the first seal bead and the outer ring is configured to engage with the second seal bead. Fluid flow sets and methods for manufacturing check valve assemblies are also provided.