Pneumatic Manifold Sealing for Clean, Serviceable Valve Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical fluid delivery machines, particularly those using pneumatic pumping, face challenges in maintaining particulate-free air passageways and facilitating easy access and replacement of pneumatic valves, which can lead to premature system failure and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pneumatic manifold with a removable faceplate and clamping bracket that compresses o-rings to seal pneumatic valves, preventing particulate entry and allowing for easy replacement, while also isolating the pneumatic system from potential damage during threading, and includes a pneumatic pump box that can be moved away from the patient to reduce noise and improve serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If pneumatic valves are integrated into the pneumatic manifold, then the system is more compact, but the valves become difficult to access for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic manifold is segmented into a fixed portion and a removable faceplate portion. The faceplate can be detached to provide direct access to the pneumatic valves mounted on the manifold, allowing valves to be replaced without removing the entire manifold assembly from the machine.
2Strength
If threaded connections are used to attach pneumatic components, then secure attachment is achieved, but particulate contamination can occur during threading
Solution Approach 1:
A seal is installed on the pneumatic manifold before threading operations begin. The seal creates a barrier that prevents particulate debris generated during threading from contaminating the pneumatic system, while still allowing secure threaded attachment of components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pneumatic pump box is fixed near the patient, then the system is more stable, but noise affects the patient and service access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pump box is separated from the patient care area and relocated to a remote position within the machine structure. This segmentation allows the noisy pump components to be isolated from the patient while maintaining system functionality, and provides easier access for maintenance services.
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 solution ensures reliable, particulate-free operation, reduces noise, and enhances maintenance accessibility, leading to improved serviceability and extended system lifespan by preventing particulate contamination and allowing for efficient valve replacement without moving the pneumatic manifold.
Implementation Method 1
a bracket configured to clamp the pneumatic valve to the pneumatic manifold, compressing the gasket to seal the pneumatic valve to the manifold
Implementation Method 2
a pneumatic pump box that can be moved away from the patient to reduce noise
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A connection apparatus for sealing to a pathway of a mounting structure includes a body; and a port including a threaded portion extending from the body and a non-threaded portion extending from the threaded portion, the non-threaded portion carrying a gasket, the gasket positioned along the non-threaded portion such that the mounting structure to which the connection apparatus is mounted contacts the gasket prior to the threaded portion engaging a mating threaded portion of the mounting structure, the port providing fluid communciation between the body and the pathway of the mounting structure. The body may be that of a valve that supplies any of air, water or oil as an operating fluid to, for example, inlet and outlet valves and a pump chamber of a medical fluid pump of a medical fluid delivery machine.