Multilayer Peristaltic Pump Tube for Bending Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tubes used in peristaltic pumps, despite their high durability, have limitations in achieving longer usage times under extreme mechanical stress and often suffer from deformation issues that affect fluid transport efficiency and durability.

Innovation Solution

A tube design with a multilayer structure, where the first layer has a higher flexural modulus of elasticity in the radial direction and the second layer has a lower flexural modulus with a higher tensile modulus in the circumferential direction, providing improved durability and shape restorability by controlling the elastic modulus ratios and using porous base materials with different resins to enhance bonding and stress distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tube uses a single-layer structure with high flexural modulus, then it maintains shape stability, but it cannot achieve sufficient durability under repeated bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidusage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tube is divided into multiple layers with different material properties. The first layer (inner layer) has higher flexural modulus for shape stability, while the second layer (outer layer) has lower flexural modulus for flexibility and stress absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function, resolving the contradiction between shape maintenance and durability under repeated bending.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structure where at least one layer is formed by combining a base material (such as porous PTFE) with a resin material. This composite structure provides both the shape stability needed for fluid transport and the flexibility required for durability under mechanical stress, directly addressing the contradiction between rigidity and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a tube uses material with high tensile modulus in radial direction, then it resists deformation, but it reduces shape restorability after bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidshape restorability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the tube are assigned different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The inner layer uses material with higher tensile modulus for resistance against internal pressure and deformation, while the outer layer uses material with lower flexural modulus for shape restoration after bending. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between mechanical strength and shape restorability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tube design significantly enhances durability and prevents deformation-related failures, ensuring efficient fluid transport over a longer period with improved mechanical resistance and shape restoration capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a first porous base material having a plurality of micropores and a first resin entering the plurality of micropores of the first porous base material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4094935B1Tube and pump using same
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 JUNKOSHA
  • EP4094935B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP4094935B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)
  • EP4094935B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

[Object] To provide a tube having excellent long-term reliability. [Means for Solution] A tube for use in a pump that transports a fluid by peristaltic movement, the tube including: a flow path that serves as a transport path of the fluid and extends in a first direction; and a body portion formed around the flow path, wherein the body portion includes a first layer formed on the flow path and a second layer formed on the first layer, a flexural modulus of elasticity in a radial direction of the second layer is smaller than a flexural modulus of elasticity in a radial direction of the first layer, and when an elastic modulus ratio R1 of the first layer is defined as a ratio of a tensile modulus of elasticity in a circumferential direction of the first layer to the flexural modulus of elasticity in the radial direction of the first layer, and an elastic modulus ratio R2 of the second layer is defined as a ratio of a tensile modulus of elasticity in a circumferential direction of the second layer to the flexural modulus of elasticity in the radial direction of the second layer, the elastic modulus ratio R2 of the second layer is larger than the elastic modulus ratio R1 of the first layer.