Linear Peristaltic Pump With Rolling Helical Ribs for Tube Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumping devices cause continuous stress to deformable tubes, leading to wear and degradation due to sliding friction and overheating, which is not compatible with the precision and reliability required for medical applications like peritoneal dialysis.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pumping device with a rotating cylindrical element and helical ribs that minimize sliding friction by rotating in a direction opposite to the deformable tube, using a flexible linear element to compress the tube continuously while maintaining its shape, and a supporting element filled with incompressible fluid to ensure immediate restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional peristaltic pumping device with sliding compression is used, then the pumping function is achieved, but the deformable tube experiences continuous stress, sliding friction, and overheating leading to wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional sliding mechanical compression system with a rolling mechanical system. The actuator element features a rolling action that compresses the deformable tube through rotation, substituting the harmful sliding friction with rolling friction. This is achieved by designing the actuator element to roll along the tube while maintaining compression, thereby reducing wear and thermal degradation of the tube material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic motion to the compression mechanism. Instead of static or linear sliding compression, the actuator element employs rotational rolling motion that dynamically engages with the tube. This dynamic rolling action allows the compression point to move along the tube through rotation, reducing continuous stress concentration and minimizing friction-induced degradation.
2Force
If the actuator element rotates in the same direction as the deformable tube, then compression is maintained, but sliding friction increases causing overheating and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the rotational direction relationship between the actuator element and the deformable tube. Instead of rotating in the same direction which causes sliding friction, the actuator element rotates in the opposite direction. This inversion of rotational direction allows the actuator to maintain compression while rolling over the tube surface, converting sliding friction into rolling friction and preventing overheating.
3Productivity
If a screw conveyor or screw rotating element is used to compress the tube, then peristaltic pumping is achieved, but continuous stress on the tube leads to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the sliding-based screw conveyor mechanism with a rolling-based actuator element. While maintaining the peristaltic pumping function through rotational motion, the rolling action replaces the harmful sliding compression. This substitution preserves pumping efficiency by maintaining continuous compression while reducing tube stress and extending service life through minimized friction and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static or linear compression approach into a dynamic rolling compression system. The actuator element rotates and rolls along the tube, creating a moving compression zone that progresses through the tube length. This dynamic rolling action maintains pumping efficiency while distributing stress over time and space, preventing localized degradation and extending tube durability.
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
Reduces tube stress and wear, ensuring consistent performance and reliability, allowing for precise fluid control in medical applications without the need for frequent tube replacement.
Implementation Method 1
minimize sliding friction by rotating in a direction opposite to the deformable tube
Implementation Method 2
compress the tube continuously while maintaining its shape
Implementation Method 3
a supporting element filled with incompressible fluid to ensure immediate restoration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~4A
AI summary
A peristaltic pumping device (36) of linear type, comprises a section of deformable tube (12) crossed by a fluid whereon at least a peristaltic compression is implemented; and an actuator (37), comprising a rotating element (38) provided with one or more helical ribs (53) arranged projecting from the surface thereof so as to interfere, along the rotation of the rotating element (38), with said deformable tube (12) and, so as to determine thereon at least a localized, movable and continuous squeezing (54), moving along a predetermined direction, which implements peristaltic compression, said one or more helical ribs (53) are arranged along a helical axis with respect thereto they are fixed, the position thereof being tied with respect to the rotating element (38), wherein at least a portion of helical rib (53), which interferes with said deformable tube (12), is rotatable around the respective helical axis, so as to minimize the friction thereof on the surface of the deformable tube (12), thereby allowing to reduce effectively the stress on the deformable tube (12).