Removable Clamp for Membrane Filter Housing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane filters in medical infusion systems fail under higher pressure applications due to inadequate support, leading to potential separation of housing components and system failure, and existing support apparatuses are bulky and difficult to handle.
Innovation Solution
A removable clamp made of injection-molded plastic, specifically designed to securely hold the membrane filter in place by interlocking support walls that do not obstruct vent holes and simplify assembly, providing adjustable pressure support to prevent housing separation under high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If membrane filters are used in high pressure infusion systems, then pressure capability is improved, but housing separation occurs due to inadequate support
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp acts as an intermediary device between the filter housing and the infusion system, providing external support to prevent housing separation under high pressure. The clamp distributes pressure forces across the housing structure, preventing seam junction failure without requiring modifications to the filter housing itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp provides adjustable and removable support, allowing the system to adapt between low-pressure operation (clamp removed or relaxed) and high-pressure operation (clamp engaged). This dynamic support mechanism enables the filter to operate reliably across different pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If traditional support apparatus are used for filter housing, then housing separation is prevented, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp utilizes a simple, lightweight structure that can be formed from a single piece of material or simple components. The design avoids complex mechanisms, multiple parts, or intricate assembly procedures, making it easy to handle, install, and remove while effectively preventing housing separation.
3Stress or pressure
If clamp structure is designed to support filter housing, then pressure support is improved, but obstruction of vent holes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with localized support features that apply pressure only to specific areas of the filter housing that require reinforcement (such as the body and cap regions). The support walls are positioned and dimensioned to provide necessary structural support while maintaining clear access to vent holes and other critical features of the filter.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A removable clamp, for supporting a membrane filter in a medical infusion system, includes connected and opposing walls. A locking feature, which may be connected to an end of one of the walls, engages and disengages a terminal end of the other wall. The filter may be inserted between the opposing walls of the clamp, and an inner surface of each of the opposing walls may be secured against corresponding major surfaces of the inserted filter, by only pressing at least one of the opposing walls of the clamp toward the other of the opposing walls.