Linear Peristaltic Pump with Planetary Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear peristaltic pumps lack a simple and cost-effective solution that combines the simplicity of circular mechanisms with efficient fluid pumping, with previous attempts not fully addressing the need for a complete solution.
Innovation Solution
A linear peristaltic pump design utilizing a rotary driving mechanism with planetary gears and offset rollers, where a central member with planetary gears is rotated by a motor, causing rollers to serially collapse a flexible tube along a flat compression surface for pumping fluid, incorporating a resilient member to accommodate minute non-linear motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional linear peristaltic pumps use cam-driven fingers or belt-mounted rollers, then fluid pumping is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving and compression functions into a single integrated roller system. The rollers are directly mounted on the rotating shaft, merging the drive mechanism and compression element into one component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining pumping efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they are driven by rotation, they compress the flexible tube to pump fluid, and their offset mounting provides the necessary compression motion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Device complexity
If circular roller motion is used in linear peristaltic pump, then simplicity of mechanism is achieved, but linear pumping action is difficult to accomplish
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers are mounted offset from the shaft center, creating an asymmetric configuration. As the shaft rotates, this offset mounting converts the circular motion into a linear reciprocating compression action along the tube, achieving both simplicity and effective linear pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset mounting of rollers transforms the rotational motion (circular path) into linear compression motion by utilizing the radial dimension. The rollers trace a circular path due to rotation but apply compression in a linear direction along the tube axis.
3Reliability
If fixed stop device is used to prevent back flow, then fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tube itself serves as the flow control mechanism. The tube's elasticity and the peristaltic action created by the rollers naturally prevent backflow without requiring additional stop devices. The system uses the properties of the tube to achieve flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for separate stop devices by relying on the reversible compression and expansion of the flexible tube. The tube is compressed during the forward stroke to push fluid and expands during the return stroke to refill, naturally preventing backflow through its elastic recovery.
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 design provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective pumping mechanism that effectively moves fluid through a flexible tube, addressing the limitations of previous linear peristaltic pumps by ensuring reliable fluid displacement and ease of operation and production.
Implementation Method 1
a linear peristaltic pump for pumping a fluid through a flexible tube... enabling the plurality of rollers to serially collapse the flexible tube and to move in a substantially linear motion along the generally flat compression surface for pumping the fluid through the flexible tube
Data Source
AI summary
Linear peristaltic pump for pumping a fluid through a flexible tube (13) comprises a rotatable central member (34) with a plurality of radially disposed planetary gears (51-53). An offset roller (61-63) is disposed on each of the planetary gears (51-53). The flexible tube (13) is inserted between a generally flat compression surface (40) and at least one of the plurality of rollers (61-63). Rotation of the central member (34) enables the plurality of rollers (61-63) to serially collapse the flexible tube (13) and to move in a substantially linear motion along the generally flat compression surface (40) for pumping the fluid through the flexible tube (13).