Fluid Scavenging System With Passive Reset for Power-Fail Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid scavenging systems and processes lack operational reliability, particularly in conveying gas mixtures containing anesthetics and medications, and often require continuous energy supply to maintain functionality.
Innovation Solution
A fluid scavenging system with a plug and socket configuration, utilizing a mechanical resetting element and actuator to establish and interrupt fluid flow, and a control unit to monitor for predetermined events to switch between conveying and rest states, ensuring reliable operation even in power failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid scavenging system uses continuous energy supply to maintain functionality, then the system can operate reliably, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mechanical resetting element (spring) that automatically returns the switching element to the conveying position when power is lost or interrupted. This self-service mechanism ensures the system maintains reliable operation without requiring continuous energy supply, as the mechanical component autonomously restores the safe state.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical resetting element is pre-configured to provide automatic recovery in case of power failure or system interruption. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when energy supply is lost, the system immediately returns to the conveying state without requiring external intervention or continuous power, thereby maintaining operational reliability while reducing energy consumption requirements.
2Reliability
If the system requires continuous energy supply to maintain conveying state, then fluid conveyance is reliable, but the system becomes vulnerable to power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical resetting element is pre-configured to provide automatic recovery in case of power failure or system interruption. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when energy supply is lost, the system immediately returns to the conveying state without requiring external intervention or continuous power, thereby maintaining operational reliability while reducing energy consumption requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a mechanical resetting element (spring) that automatically returns the switching element to the conveying position when power is lost or interrupted. This self-service mechanism ensures the system maintains reliable operation without requiring continuous energy supply, as the mechanical component autonomously restores the safe state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system uses mechanical resetting element to maintain conveying state, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mechanical resetting element (spring) that automatically returns the switching element to the conveying position when power is lost or interrupted. This self-service mechanism ensures the system maintains reliable operation without requiring continuous energy supply, as the mechanical component autonomously restores the safe state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous electrical or pneumatic control with a mechanical spring-based resetting element. This substitution reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for continuous power supply while maintaining system functionality through purely mechanical means, though it introduces mechanical complexity that must be managed.
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
Enhances operational reliability by maintaining safe fluid conveyance without continuous energy consumption, reducing energy usage, and ensuring the system remains functional even in the absence of electrical or pneumatic power.
Implementation Method 1
A resetting element of the scavenging system is implemented (configured) as a mechanical component and has a rest state. If the resetting element is deflected from the rest state, the resetting element exerts a resetting force
Data Source
AI summary
A scavenging system and a process have a conveying state with a suction arrangement (200) conveying a fluid from a source to a sink. In a rest state, the conveyance of fluid is prevented or interrupted. A plug (15) can be plugged into a socket (16), and, if plugged in, a fluid connection is established between the source and the sink. In a conveying switching position, a switching element (38.1, 38.2) sets the scavenging system to the conveying state, and in a rest switching position to the rest state. A passive resetting element (39.1, 39.2) holds the switching element in the conveying switching position in a rest state. A switched-on actuator (42.1, 42.2) switches the switching element to the rest switching position against a resetting force of the resetting element. A signal-processing control unit detects an event that no fluid is escaping from the source and switches the actuator on.