Medical Diaphragm Pump Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating positive-displacement diaphragm pumps for medical use face issues with uncontrollable piston movement, leading to fluctuating flow rates and lack of precision, as well as safety concerns due to inadequate detection of malfunctions such as air ingress, blockages, and disconnections, which can compromise patient safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating continuous-measurement means within the pump to monitor the instantaneous state and position of moving parts, allowing for feedback control and additional data processing to enhance reliability and safety, reducing the need for external devices and minimizing wear and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the piston movement is not controlled in its stroke, then the pump structure is simple, but the flow rate precision deteriorates and fluctuates uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring the position of the moving member (piston) during its stroke and using this information to control the electromagnetic actuator. This ensures the piston reaches precise positions while maintaining flow rate precision without overly complicating the pump structure.
2Device complexity
If the pole piece moves freely until stopped by an end stop, then the device complexity is low, but harmful factors increase due to impact and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using feedback control to prevent the pole piece from impacting the end stop. The system continuously monitors the position and adjusts the electromagnetic actuator to ensure the pole piece decelerates before reaching the end stop, eliminating impact and noise while maintaining simple device structure.
3Reliability
If additional continuous-measurement means are incorporated, then reliability and safety improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the measurement means to serve multiple functions: controlling piston position precision, detecting malfunctions (air ingress, blockages, disconnections), and preventing pole piece impact. This consolidates multiple reliability-enhancing functions into integrated systems rather than adding separate devices for each function.
4Ease of operation
If the pump uses lightweight miniaturized design, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position control mechanisms with an electromagnetic actuator controlled by feedback from continuous position measurement. This substitution enables precise control in a miniaturized pump design, maintaining portability while achieving the measurement precision needed for controlled piston movement.
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 provides precise control over piston movement, improves pump reliability, and enhances patient safety by detecting anomalies in real-time, reducing the risk of malfunctions and ensuring consistent operation.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic actuator (11) essentially comprises at least one coil (12) arranged in a magnetic circuit... Thanks to the magnetic field that the solenoid is able to generate, the pole piece is then attracted by the pot
Implementation Method 2
When the diaphragm begins to return to its initial position through elastic relaxation, the volume of the chamber increases again gradually
Data Source
AI summary
Reciprocating positive-displacement diaphragm pump (1) intended for liquids and for medical use, has a driving part (10) within which there are an electromagnetic actuator (11), incorporating at least one coil (12) and activating a piston (14) of a moving member (15) capable of cyclic linear motion. The pump comprises a pump body (20) within which there is a pre-loaded diaphragm (22) able to undergo a translational movement by elastic deformation from a normal rest position to an adjacent position through the transmission of the work from a piston (14). It incorporates a device (30) for detecting out-of-tolerance variations in the intensity of the supply current by measurements (33), a device (40) for continuously measuring the position of the moving member (15) and devices (30, 45) for processing and analyzing the measurements, which are able to generate at least one malfunctioning alarm signal (35) indicating the detection of at least one malfunction of the pump.