Movable Holder for Curved Duct Portion in Tube Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-time storage of tube pumps for extracorporeal blood circuits causes deformation of the squeezable duct portion, leading to reduced diameter and inaccurate flow rates during dialysis treatments due to storage in a single predetermined radius of curvature.
Innovation Solution
A holder with movable supply-side and discharge-side connectors that transition between a storage configuration, where they are separated, and an operating configuration, where they are close, allowing the duct portion to maintain a greater radius of curvature and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the duct is stored in a single predetermined radius of curvature configuration, then the pump is ready for immediate use, but the duct undergoes deformation leading to reduced diameter and inaccurate flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable between two configurations: a storage configuration where the duct maintains a greater radius of curvature to prevent deformation, and an operating configuration where the duct is positioned for pump operation. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt to different operational states, preventing duct deformation during storage while ensuring proper duct positioning during use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the duct is allowed to move freely during storage, then deformation is prevented, but the pump cannot be quickly prepared for use
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is pre-configured with guide channels and positioning features that automatically guide the duct into the correct operating position when the holder is moved to the operating configuration. This preliminary arrangement of structural elements ensures that when the holder is repositioned, the duct is quickly and accurately positioned without requiring manual adjustment, thus reducing preparation time while maintaining duct shape stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connectors are fixed in position, then the duct maintains a consistent radius of curvature, but the holder cannot transition between storage and operating configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into movable connector components that can independently transition between positions. The supply-side connector and discharge-side connector are designed as separate movable elements that can slide along guide channels, allowing the holder to reconfigure between storage and operating states while maintaining proper duct curvature through the action of curvature control elements during each configuration state.
Data Source
AI summary
A holder for a curved duct portion of a tube pump. The holder includes a supply-side connector which includes a first cavity and a first plate connected together, the first cavity being adapted for receiving an end of the curved duct portion, and a discharge-side connector including a second cavity and a second plate connected together, the second cavity being adapted for receiving another end of the curved duct portion, where the connectors are movable the one with respect to the other between a storage configuration, in which the supply-side connector is positioned away to the discharge-side connector, and an operating configuration, in which the supply-side connector is close to the discharge-side connector and in which the first and second plate are engaged together substantially on a same plane.