Linear Peristaltic Pump Leaf Spring Tube Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear peristaltic pumps for medical applications suffer from complex assembly, abrupt changes in fluid flow and pressure, and limited efficiency due to multiple components and high mass of moving parts, which complicates manufacturing and reduces accuracy and speed.
Innovation Solution
A linear peristaltic pump design utilizing a leaf spring with integrated 'fingers' that corresponds to the number of circular cams, reducing the number of parts, minimizing moving mass, and enabling smooth force transitions, allowing for higher RPM and efficient fluid flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete fingers with individual springs are used to compress the tube, then the pump can maintain tube compression, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete fingers and individual springs into a single integrated leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring is formed as one piece with multiple fingers extending from it, eliminating the need for separate springs for each finger. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the tube compression function, as the single leaf spring provides the necessary elastic force to all fingers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaf spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support for the fingers, provides the elastic restoring force for tube compression, and maintains the positional relationship between all fingers. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components that would otherwise be required to achieve these individual functions.
2Reliability
If discrete plungers with springs are used, then tube compression is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple plunger-like fingers and their individual springs into a single leaf spring structure. This integration dramatically simplifies manufacturing and assembly, as the leaf spring can be produced as a single molded or machined component rather than requiring the assembly of multiple separate parts with their respective springs.
3Productivity
If multiple discrete components are used, then the pump can function, but the mass of moving parts increases reducing speed and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete moving components into a single leaf spring assembly, significantly reducing the total mass of moving parts. The integrated design eliminates redundant materials and connections, resulting in a lighter overall structure that can operate at higher speeds with less inertia.
4Reliability
If discrete fingers engage and disengage separately, then tube compression occurs, but abrupt changes in flow rate and pressure result
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring provides a dynamic, continuous compression mechanism where the fingers move in a coordinated manner rather than discrete on/off engagement. The elastic nature of the leaf spring allows for smooth transitions in compression force as the camshaft rotates, resulting in gradual changes in tube compression rather than abrupt engagement and disengagement of individual fingers.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaf spring pre-loads all fingers with elastic force, ensuring that as the camshaft rotates and triggers compression, the fingers are already positioned and ready to engage smoothly. This preliminary positioning and pre-loading eliminates the abrupt engagement that would occur with discrete, unpreloaded fingers.
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 design results in a smaller, simpler, and more accurate pump with improved manufacturability, increased efficiency, and the ability to run at high RPM, while maintaining sterility and precise fluid control, enhancing both performance and reliability compared to conventional pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The linear peristaltic pump utilizes a leaf spring in direct contact with a tube
Implementation Method 2
a camshaft 120. Mounted on the camshaft 120 are a plurality of offset circular cams 160. The rotation of the camshaft 120 causes displacement of the fingers 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e, and 130f of the leaf spring 130
Data Source
AI summary
An improved linear peristaltic pump that is able to be manufactured using fewer parts while also improving the performance and the reliability of the pump. The linear peristaltic pump utilizes a leaf spring in direct contact with a tube and is therefore able to provide smooth transitions in the forces exerted on the tube.