Integrated Fluid Coupling Valve for Medical Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connection valves in medical technology require multiple components, including separate spring and support elements, which complicates the design and reduces functional reliability, particularly in preventing backflow of medical fluids.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained fluid connection with a valve that integrates the valve body, spring, and spring seat as a single piece, using a spring-elastic connection to ensure sealing and prevent backflow, reducing the number of components and enhancing pharmaceutical-hygienic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate spring element and support element are used, then the valve can be assembled from individual components, but the number of components increases and functional reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring element, support element, and sealing section into a single integrated component molded from one piece of material. This merging eliminates the interfaces between separate parts, thereby increasing functional reliability and pharmaceutical-hygienic properties while preventing backflow of medical fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
While the main innovation is integration, the valve assembly is still segmented into modular units (connecting piece with valve seat device, and the integrated closing unit) that can be separately manufactured and then assembled, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability through integration of critical sealing components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element, support element, and sealing section are merged into a single monolithic component, reducing the total number of parts in the valve assembly and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular valve cartridge design.
3Ease of repair
If separate spring and support elements are used, then component replacement is easier, but sealing effectiveness over time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design of the spring element, support element, and sealing section as one piece eliminates interfaces where sealing could fail over time. The unified structure ensures consistent sealing effectiveness throughout the component's service life, while the modular valve cartridge allows for easy replacement of the entire assembly if needed.
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 integrated design enhances the reliability and pharmaceutical-hygienic properties of the valve by simplifying the structure, ensuring rapid prevention of backflow, and maintaining sealing effectiveness over time without relying on multiple components.
Implementation Method 1
the spring-elastic connection between the sealing section and the holding section generates a force spacing these two sections in the closing direction of the valve, which supports the closing force of the flowing/accumulating fluid also acting in this direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The fluid connection (10) has a connection socket (12), inside which a flow-longitudinal channel of an axially acting valve seat unit (32) is formed. A valve-closure unit (14) consisting of a spring seat-retaining element is provided, where the spring seat-retaining element is inserted in the flow-longitudinal channel. A spring assembly and a valve body cooperate with the valve seat unit, where the valve body is held by the spring assembly. The spring assembly and a valve body are integrally formed with each other.