Movable Contact Cassette Coupling Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technical arrangements face challenges in securely and accurately connecting external functional devices, such as disposable cassettes, to medical or laboratory equipment, due to manufacturing tolerances and wear, which can lead to jamming and stress peaks during coupling operations.

Innovation Solution

A device with movable contact portions, including a first and second contact portion that can oscillate or rotate, is used to facilitate secure and error-free coupling, allowing for compensation of tolerances and distribution of pressing forces to avoid stress peaks, and includes a pressing device and locking mechanism for stable fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed contact portions are used for coupling, then the structure is simple, but manufacturing tolerances and wear cause jamming and stress peaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcoupling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to oscillate or rotate during the coupling process. This dynamic capability enables automatic adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and wear, preventing jamming and stress peaks while maintaining coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If movable contact portions are used for coupling, then tolerance compensation and stress distribution improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to oscillate or rotate during the coupling process. This dynamic capability enables automatic adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and wear, preventing jamming and stress peaks while maintaining coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If rigid coupling is used, then positioning is precise, but wear and stress concentration occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidwear and stress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to oscillate or rotate during the coupling process. This dynamic capability enables automatic adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and wear, preventing jamming and stress peaks while maintaining coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9943634B2Device for connecting multi-functional disposable cassette to extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for connecting at least one external functional device to an arrangement, wherein the device includes at least one first contact portion and at least one second contact portion for receiving the external functional device between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and at least the first contact portion or the second contact portion is movable. It further relates to a method for connecting at least one external functional device to an arrangement by using the device of the present invention, as well as an arrangement which includes at least one device of the present invention.