Peristaltic Pump Radially Deformable Ring Tubing Wear

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional peristaltic pumps experience premature wear of flexible tubing due to friction between pressing members and tubing, requiring expensive high-grade tubing to prevent failure.

Innovation Solution

A peristaltic pump design featuring a radially deformable ring with a ring anchor mounted to the housing, allowing reciprocal movement in the radial direction to reduce stress on the ring and prevent rotation, thereby extending the lifespan of the flexible tubing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pressing members directly contact flexible tubing to convey liquid, then liquid pumping function is achieved, but friction causes premature wear of the flexible tubing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid pumping functionVSAvoidflexible tubing lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A radially deformable ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressing members and the flexible tubing. The ring deforms radially under pressure from the pressing members to convey the tubing, eliminating direct contact between the pressing members and tubing. This mediator reduces friction and wear on the tubing while maintaining the liquid pumping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If radially deformable ring is used to reduce friction, then flexible tubing wear is reduced, but the ring becomes stressed and may fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible tubing lifespanVSAvoidradially deformable ring durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The ring anchor is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move reciprocally in the radial direction relative to the housing. This dynamic mounting allows the ring to accommodate stress and deformation during operation without accumulating excessive stress, thereby preventing ring failure while maintaining its function of protecting the tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If ring anchor is secured rigidly to housing to prevent rotation, then radially deformable ring rotation is prevented, but stress accumulates on the ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradially deformable ring positional stabilityVSAvoidradially deformable ring stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The ring anchor is mounted to the housing in a manner that allows controlled movement. Specifically, the ring anchor can move reciprocally in the radial direction while being constrained against rotational movement. This dynamic mounting resolves the contradiction by allowing stress relief through radial movement while maintaining positional stability to prevent rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If high-grade flexible tubing is used to prevent wear, then tubing lifespan is extended, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible tubing lifespanVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The radially deformable ring acts as a protective intermediary that reduces friction between the pressing members and the flexible tubing. This allows the use of lower-grade, more cost-effective tubing materials while achieving the same or better lifespan than expensive high-grade tubing would provide in direct contact applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces stress on the radially deformable ring, allowing the use of lower-grade flexible tubing and preventing direct contact between pressing members and tubing, leading to reduced wear and extended pump lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a peristaltic pump comprising a radially deformable ring positioned between the rotor and a circumferentially extending flexible tubing, the ring being deformable by the at least one pressing member upon rotation of the rotor to compress the flexible tubing against the inner wall of the cylindrical stator to thereby convey liquid along the flexible tubing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

The friction between the pressing members and the tubing can, however, cause a number of problems, notably premature wear of the flexible tubing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20240068463A1Peristaltic pumps

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 HODGES & DRAKE DESIGN LTD

AI summary

A peristaltic pump comprises a drivable rotor, having at least one pressing member, and a housing comprising a cylindrical stator in which the rotor is rotatable. Flexible tubing, having an inlet side and an outlet side, extends circumferentially around the cylindrical stator against an inner wall. The peristaltic pump includes a radially deformable ring positioned between the rotor and the circumferentially extending flexible tubing. The ring is deformed by the pressing member upon rotation of the rotor and this compresses the flexible tubing against the inner wall of the cylindrical stator to convey liquid along the flexible tubing. The radially deformable ring includes a ring anchor which prevents rotation of the radially deformable ring during rotation of the rotor. The ring anchor is engaged with the housing to secure the ring anchor to the housing whilst allowing reciprocal movement of the ring anchor in a radial direction.