Manifold Plate Segmented Channels for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment systems face challenges in ensuring sterility and ease of manufacturing, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, where traditional manifold plates are difficult to sterilize and manufacture effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design of manifold plates with fluid channels and passageways that allow for direct line-of-sight projections to openings, enabling sterilization with non-penetrating radiation and facilitating easy manufacturing through straight-pull injection molding, while also allowing for bidirectional fluid flow between the plates and treatment units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manifold plates are used with complex internal passages, then fluid distribution functionality is achieved, but sterilization difficulty increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: a mounting region with openings for fluid treatment units, and separate first and second fluid channels that extend along the body. This segmentation simplifies the internal structure by eliminating complex interconnected passages while maintaining fluid distribution functionality through the separated channels that connect to openings in the mounting region.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex internal passageway structure from traditional manifold plates. Instead of having fluid travel through intricate internal passages, the design takes out the intermediate complex routing and directly connects simplified channels to mounting region openings, enabling direct line-of-sight access for sterilization radiation while preserving fluid distribution capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional manifold plates with complex passages are used, then fluid distribution is achieved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold plate structure is segmented into simple, separable components: a body with external channels and a mounting region with openings. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple molds or machining processes, eliminating the need for complex multi-cavity molds or multi-step assembly required for traditional integrated manifold plates with intricate internal passages.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating complex internal passages within the manifold plate body, the invention inverts the approach by providing simple external channels that connect to openings in the mounting region. This inversion simplifies manufacturing by eliminating difficult internal machining or molding operations while achieving the same fluid distribution function through the external channel configuration.
3Reliability
If non-penetrating radiation sterilization is used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but direct line-of-sight access to all surfaces is required
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold plate is segmented into a mounting region with multiple openings and separate fluid channels positioned to be visible from the exterior. This segmentation ensures that all critical surfaces including channel walls and mounting region interiors are exposed to line-of-sight radiation from the exterior, enabling complete sterilization without requiring disassembly or complex positioning of sterilization sources.
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 ensures reliable sterilization and verification of cleanliness, while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, making it suitable for industries requiring high sterility and efficient production.
Implementation Method 1
both the exterior of the body, including the mounting region, and the passageway walls can be easily and effectively sterilized using a non-penetrating, sterilizing radiation such as a UV radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A manifold plate (11) and a filtration arrangement including a manifold plate which comprises a body having a mounting region (26) on the exterior of the body and first and second fluid channels (32,33) extending within the body. The mounting region has at least one first opening and at least one second opening. At least one first fluid passageway (40) fluidly couples the first opening to the first fluid channel and at least one second passageway (41) fluidly couples the second opening to the second fluid channel, each channel wall (42) having an inclined portion. One or more filtration units may be mounted to the mounting region in fluid communication with the first and second openings of the manifold plate.