Metallic Support Structure for Medical Pump Drive Head Shock Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical fluid pump drive heads, particularly syringe pumps, face issues with shock transfer to sensitive components due to the bearing mechanism involving both the lower and upper shells, leading to potential damage and increased manufacturing tolerances, as well as the introduction of pretensions from screwing connections.

Innovation Solution

A metallic support structure is introduced that exclusively bears the drive arm within the drive head lower shell, decoupling force flux between the lower and upper shells, and uses a U-shaped bracket and clamp mechanism to secure the drive arm, distributing forces and shielding shocks, while avoiding pretensions through indirect screwing connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive arm is borne by both the lower shell and upper shell of the drive head, then the drive head structure is stable, but shocks are transferred undiminished to sensitive components and manufacturing tolerances are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive head structure stabilityVSAvoidshock transfer to sensitive components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the drive head into functionally independent segments: the lower shell bears the drive arm and electronic components, while the upper shell provides protection without participating in force bearing. This segmentation isolates sensitive components from shock loads transferred through the upper shell, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and shock protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary bearing structure (such as a bearing plate or bushing) between the drive arm and the lower shell that absorbs and dissipates shock forces. This intermediary element protects sensitive electronic components from direct shock transfer while maintaining the structural integrity of the drive head assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the drive arm is borne by both the lower shell and upper shell of the drive head, then the drive head structure is stable, but higher manufacturing tolerances are required and pretensions are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive head structure stabilityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the force-bearing function to the lower shell only, the patent eliminates the need for precise alignment and dimensional tolerances between the upper and lower shells. The upper shell can be manufactured with standard tolerances since it does not participate in the force-bearing function, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the force-bearing function from the upper shell and assigns it exclusively to the lower shell. This extraction allows the upper shell to be designed and manufactured independently without stringent dimensional requirements, while the lower shell is optimized specifically for mechanical loading and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the drive arm is borne exclusively by the lower shell with a metallic support structure, then shock transfer is reduced and manufacturing tolerances are relaxed, but the lower shell must bear all loads alone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock transfer reductionVSAvoidload bearing requirement on lower shell

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction for the lower shell, combining metal (for strength and load-bearing capability) with plastic or polymer materials (for shock absorption and damping). This composite structure enables the lower shell to withstand high static and dynamic loads while simultaneously absorbing shock forces, resolving the contradiction between load-bearing capacity and shock protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates cushioning elements (such as rubber mounts, foam layers, or elastomeric dampers) within the lower shell structure that are pre-positioned to absorb and dissipate shock forces before they reach sensitive electronic components. This beforehand cushioning protects components from damage while maintaining the lower shell's load-bearing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20230001076A1Metallic support structure in the drive arm/head of a medical fluid pump

Publication Date: 2023.01.05 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG

AI summary

A medical fluid pump, in particular a syringe pump, includes a housing and a drive head linearly movable toward the housing via a tubular or rod-shaped drive arm. The drive head has a drive head lower shell facing the housing and a drive head upper shell turned away from the housing. A metallic support structure in the form of a plate is accommodated in an interior space formed by the drive head lower shell and the drive head upper shell and is directly fixed to the drive head lower shell and to a free end portion of the tubular or rod-shaped drive arm.