Manifold assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manifold assemblies for patient therapy lack efficient mechanisms to alternately provide positive and negative pressure to bladders, leading to suboptimal pressure distribution and comfort during therapy sessions.
Innovation Solution
A manifold assembly with a rotating connector mechanism, coupled to a motor, that fluidly couples inlet and outlet tubes with projections to bladders, allowing for alternating pressure states and release positions, ensuring efficient airflow and pressure adjustment between bladders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional manifold assembly is used without a rotating connector mechanism, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the ability to alternately provide positive and negative pressure to bladders is inefficient and pressure distribution is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is made rotatable relative to the manifold core through a motor-driven mechanism, allowing the system to dynamically switch between different pressure distribution configurations. This dynamic capability enables alternating positive and negative pressure application to different bladder groups, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating connector mechanism enables periodic switching between different pressure states, allowing the system to alternately apply positive pressure to one group of bladders while applying negative pressure to another group. This periodic action achieves efficient alternating low-pressure therapy while managing the added device complexity through automated control.
2Ease of operation
If a rotating connector mechanism is implemented to alternate pressure states, then pressure distribution and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven rotating connector mechanism operates automatically to switch between pressure states without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the alternation between positive and negative pressure application, improving operational efficiency while the automated control compensates for the increased mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating connector mechanism serves multiple functions: it switches pressure states, distributes pressure to different bladder groups, and enables both positive and negative pressure therapy modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added device complexity by consolidating multiple therapeutic capabilities into a single integrated mechanism.
3Reliability
If the connector is rotated to alternate between operating states, then the height difference between bladders increases improving therapy efficacy, but the mechanical complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the position of the rotating connector and the pressure states of the bladders, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable pressure alternation by monitoring and adjusting the connector position, compensating for the increased mechanical complexity through intelligent control and error correction.
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 effective alternation of bladder states between expanded and compressed conditions, enhancing pressure relief and comfort by increasing the height difference between bladders, thus improving the efficacy of alternating low-pressure therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is configured to rotate the connector to a first position to fluidly couple the outlet tube with the first projection via the first pathway region and the inlet tube with the second projection via the second pathway region
Implementation Method 2
The pump is configured to provide positive pressure through the outlet port and negative pressure through the inlet port
Implementation Method 3
Each of the first and second bladders is operable between an expanded condition, a neutral condition, and a compressed condition
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold assembly includes a manifold core defining an inlet tube, an outlet tube, a first projection configured to be fluidly coupled with a first bladder, and a second projection configured to be fluidly coupled with a second bladder. A connector is operably coupled to the manifold core and defines a first pathway region, a second pathway region, and release notches. A motor rotates the connector to a first position to fluidly couple the outlet tube with the first projection via the first pathway region and the inlet tube with the second projection via the second pathway region, to a second position to fluidly couple the first and projections with the release notches, and to a third position to fluidly couple the outlet tube with the second projection via the first pathway region and the inlet tube with the first projection via the second pathway region.