Modular Medical Tubing Breaker with Self-Aligning Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breaker devices for medical tubing closure elements require manual effort and are not universally compatible with different types of closure systems, necessitating multiple devices and complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A modular breaker device with a locking mechanism featuring actuation members that automatically position the movable part for coupling with the drive element and engage with locking elements, allowing easy attachment and detachment of different breaker modules for various closure elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual breaking or deforming of closure elements is used, then no special device is needed, but it requires tedious manual effort and repeated bending
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker device performs the opening action automatically through a drive arrangement that actuates a breaking element, eliminating the need for manual repeated bending. The system serves itself by converting rotational drive motion into the linear or rotational movement needed to break or deform the closure element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of repeatedly bending the tubing with an automated drive system. The drive arrangement converts rotational motion into the appropriate mechanical action (linear or rotational) to break the closure element, substituting complex manual operations with a simplified automated mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different opening devices are provided for different closure elements, then each closure type can be opened appropriately, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker device is divided into a universal drive arrangement and interchangeable breaker modules. Each breaker module is designed for specific closure element types, allowing the system to handle different closure types without requiring multiple complete devices. The modular design enables easy replacement of only the breaker module while retaining the drive arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive arrangement is designed with universal features including a standardized locking mechanism with locking elements and a rotatable drive element that can accommodate different breaker modules. This universal interface allows a single drive arrangement to work with multiple breaker module types, reducing the need for multiple complete devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If breaker modules are made interchangeable for different closure elements, then versatility improves, but secure attachment and positioning become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed so that locking elements are pre-positioned on the drive arrangement and the breaker module is designed to engage with these elements in a predetermined manner. This preliminary positioning arrangement ensures that when the breaker module is attached, it automatically aligns and locks into the correct position without requiring complex manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism enables the breaker module to self-align and self-lock onto the drive arrangement. The geometric design of the locking elements and engagement features ensures automatic positioning during attachment, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining secure attachment.
4Ease of operation
If automatic opening devices are used, then user effort is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex compared to manual methods
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable drive arrangement and disposable or interchangeable breaker modules. This segmentation allows the complex automated drive mechanism to be standardized and reused, while the simpler breaker modules can be optimized for specific closure types. The modular structure reduces overall system complexity compared to providing multiple complete automated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive arrangement incorporates universal features including a standardized locking mechanism with multiple locking elements and a rotatable drive element that can accommodate different breaker modules. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A breaker device for acting onto a closure element (40) of a medical tubing (4) comprises: a drive arrangement (2) having a drive device (20), a drive element (23) driven by the drive device (20) and at least one locking element (22A, 22B), and a breaker module (3) which is arrangeable on the drive arrangement (2). The breaker module (3) comprises a housing (30), a movable part (31) movably arranged on the housing (30), a breaking element (315) for acting onto the closure element (40) of the tubing (4) and a locking mechanism (32A, 32B). The breaker module (3) in an attached state is placed on the drive arrangement (2) and is locked to the drive arrangement (2) via the locking mechanism (32A, 32B) engaging with the at least one locking element (22A, 22B), the drive element (23) being in operative connection with the movable part (31) in the attached state such that a movement of the drive element (23) causes the movable part (31) to move for actuating the breaking element (315). The breaker module (3) is releasable from the drive arrangement (2) by disengaging the locking mechanism (32A, 32B) from the at least one locking element (22A, 22B). Herein, the locking mechanism comprises at least one actuation member (32A, 32B) which is displaceable between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing (30), wherein the at least one actuation member (32A, 32B) is constituted to act, in the first position, onto the movable part (31) to force the movable part (31) into a position in which the movable part (31) can be brought into operative connection with the drive element (20) when arranging the breaker module (3) on the drive arrangement (2), and to engage, in the second positon, with the at least one locking element (22A, 22B) of the drive arrangement (2) when the breaker module (3) is in the attached state.