Jaw-Clamped Linear Peristaltic Pump for Automated Tube Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumps require manual installation and alignment of flexible tubes, leading to wear and tear, especially in rotary pumps, and are not suitable for automated bioprocessing systems without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A linear peristaltic pump with jaws and an actuator mechanism that automatically moves between open and closed configurations to retain the tube, using pressing elements that apply cyclical compressive forces perpendicular to the tube, reducing shear forces and allowing for automated tube installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotary peristaltic pumps are used to transfer fluid, then pumping function is achieved, but excessive wear of tubes occurs due to friction in roller bearings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotary mechanical system with a linear peristaltic pump system that uses a linearly moving plunger to compress the tube against a stationary reaction plate. This substitution eliminates the rotational friction between rollers and tube, replacing it with linear compression that significantly reduces wear on the tube material.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating rollers moving along the tube (rotary peristaltic), the patent inverts the approach by using a stationary reaction plate and a linearly moving compression element. This inversion of the motion direction and mechanism fundamentally changes the wear characteristics from rotational friction to linear compression.
2Ease of operation
If manual installation and alignment of flexible tubes is performed, then tube positioning is achieved, but operator intervention is required and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear peristaltic pump design enables self-aligning features where the tube automatically positions itself between the compression element and reaction plate during linear insertion, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations that are required in rotary pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump chamber is pre-configured with the reaction plate and compression element in fixed positions, so that when the tube is inserted, the alignment geometry is already prepared to guide the tube into the correct position without requiring manual manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If pre-bending of tube is performed in snap-fit cartridges, then tube installation is simplified, but pre-installation of connectors is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pre-connector installation step from the tube installation process. The linear pump design accepts straight tubes without requiring pre-attached connectors or complex snap-fit cartridge assemblies, simplifying the overall installation procedure.
4Reliability
If rotary peristaltic pumps with roller bearings are used, then pumping action is achieved, but cyclical shear force causes tube failure through longitudinal creases and transverse tears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotary roller bearing mechanism that generates cyclical shear forces with a linear plunger compression system. This substitution changes the force application from rotational shear to linear compression, eliminating the cyclical shear stress that causes tube failure modes such as longitudinal creases and transverse tears.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the pumping mechanism from rotary motion to linear motion, fundamentally changing how force is applied to the tube. Instead of rollers rotating against the tube surface creating shear stress, a plunger moves linearly to compress the tube against a stationary plate, eliminating the harmful cyclical shear forces.
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 solution enables automated tube installation and reduces wear, allowing for the use of materials like PVC, enhances tube lifetime, and minimizes manual intervention, making it suitable for bioprocessing systems.
Implementation Method 1
linear peristaltic pumps utilize a number of individual pressing elements that compress the tubing against a reaction plate in different locations along a linear axis. By coordinating the motion of the individual pressing elements, the compressed portion of the tube may be moved along its length, thereby forcing the fluid through the tube.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear peristaltic pump (200) for a bioprocessing system comprises: at least one pair of jaws formed by a first jaw (201) and a second jaw (202), the first jaw (201) being moveable relative to the second jaw (202) such that the pair of jaws can be moved between an open configuration in which the jaws are spaced apart for receiving a flexible tube (155) therebetween and a closed configuration in which the jaws are brought together so as to retain the tube therebetween; an actuator mechanism configured to control movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw; and means (220a-220m) for effecting a peristaltic pumping action on a fluid contained within the tube (155) when the tube is retained between the pair of jaws in the closed configuration.