Insufflator Connector Biasing Mechanism for Sealing Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflation systems face challenges in ensuring complete sealing between pipe sleeve portions and ports, leading to incomplete sealing states, which can result in gas leakage and increased fitting forces, particularly in systems with varying tolerances and internal pressures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a connector with a second pipe sleeve portion biased in the opposite direction, featuring a protruding portion that pushes the pipe sleeve body, ensuring the second sealing member is deformed and maintains contact, even with center axis displacements, thereby preventing incomplete sealing and reducing fitting forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector design is used without biasing mechanism, then the structure is simple, but incomplete sealing occurs between pipe sleeve portions and ports leading to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe sleeve portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to internal pressure changes. The biasing member provides a restoring force that maintains the pipe sleeve in optimal sealing contact with the port, ensuring reliable sealing under varying pressure conditions without requiring a complex pre-compressed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing interface parameters are dynamically adjusted through the biasing mechanism. The pipe sleeve portion can change its position and contact pressure with the port based on internal pressure variations, maintaining optimal sealing parameters across different operating conditions rather than relying on a fixed design.
2Reliability
If sealing force is increased to prevent gas leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but fitting force increases making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic sealing mechanism where the pipe sleeve portion moves in response to internal pressure rather than relying on high initial fitting force. The biasing member provides just enough force to maintain sealing contact under normal operating pressures, allowing easy initial connection without requiring excessive fitting force.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism is self-regulating through the biasing member that automatically adjusts the pipe sleeve position and contact force based on internal pressure conditions. The system self-adjusts to maintain reliable sealing without requiring the user to apply excessive force during connection, and the sealing force increases automatically as internal pressure builds.
3Ease of manufacture
If tolerance variations are not compensated, then manufacturing is easier, but sealing completeness deteriorates leading to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pipe sleeve portion with biasing member creates a dynamic sealing interface that compensates for manufacturing tolerances. Rather than requiring precise fixed positioning, the system allows the pipe sleeve to move and self-adjust to achieve proper sealing contact, accommodating variations in port positioning and pipe sleeve dimensions without compromising sealing completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member provides a cushioning force that anticipates and compensates for tolerance variations and pressure fluctuations. This pre-applied biasing force ensures that the pipe sleeve maintains consistent sealing contact despite manufacturing variations, effectively cushioning against the impact of tolerance accumulations.
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 configuration effectively prevents incomplete sealing of both pipe sleeve portions, reduces the necessary fitting force, and maintains effective sealing across varying internal pressures, enhancing the usability and cost-effectiveness of the insufflation apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a second pipe sleeve portion (12) including a pipe sleeve body (121) which is biased in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the connector (5)
Implementation Method 2
ensuring the second sealing member is deformed and maintains contact
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first port, a second port, a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The first port and the first pipe sleeve portion are connected with each other such that at least a part of the first port and at least a part of the first pipe sleeve portion engage with each other by fitting and overlap with each other, and a first sealing member is positioned between two overlapping portions. The second port and the second pipe sleeve portion are connected with each other such that at least a part of the second port and at least a part of the second pipe sleeve portion engage with each other by fitting and push each other, and a second sealing member is positioned between two pushing portions.