Fluid Transfer Valve Projections Prevent Negative Pressure Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer devices in injection and dialysis apparatuses face issues with unintentional closure of secondary channels due to negative pressure, leading to unreliable fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating projections in the main channel at the opening of secondary channels to prevent the flexible closing element from being pulled unintentionally, ensuring the secondary channel remains open unless an external force is applied, and utilizing a flexible closing element with intrinsic resetting properties to facilitate reliable opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve actuator is actuated to open the secondary channel, then the closing element is pressed away from the opening, but negative pressure may prevent the closing element from separating from the sealing seat, leaving the channel unintentionally closed
Solution Approach 1:
The projection serves as a mechanical lever arm that amplifies the opening action. When the valve actuator presses on the closing element, the projection provides a fulcrum point that creates a mechanical advantage, generating sufficient force to overcome the negative pressure holding the closing element against the opening and ensure reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection creates a mechanical leverage system where the closing element acts as a lever rotating around the projection. This lever action provides the additional force needed to overcome negative pressure and ensure the closing element fully separates from the sealing seat when opening is commanded.
2Reliability
If projections are added to prevent unintentional closure, then reliability of channel opening is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is designed as an integrated feature of the main channel structure, utilizing the existing flexible membrane material. This approach adds the necessary mechanical function without requiring separate rigid components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the reliability improvement.
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
Ensures reliable and fluid-tight opening and closing of secondary channels, independent of negative pressure, preventing unintentional closure and ensuring consistent fluid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the closing element can be pressed by means of an external force which can be provided, for example, by an external valve actuator, onto the opening of the secondary channel
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transferring a fluid has a main channel, at least one secondary channel leading at an opening into the main channel, and a flexible closing element for closing the secondary channel. The opening of the secondary channel can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by the flexible closing element, by pressing the closing element with an external force onto or into the opening. In order to prevent that, in the case of a negative pressure in the main channel, the flexible closing element closes the secondary channel even without application of an external force, at least one projection is associated with the or each secondary channel and arranged in the main channel in the area of the opening of the respective secondary channel, and protrudes over the opening or over a lowest level of the opening.