Peristaltic Pump Cassette for Wear-Resistant Hose Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumps in clinical diagnostics and life sciences face issues with rapid wear, contamination risks, and operational failures due to inhomogeneous liquids, leading to increased maintenance and potential system contamination.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump design featuring a spring-loaded pressure plate with guiding ribs, bayonet couplings, and a locking lever to ensure correct hose installation, combined with stepper motor control and predictive maintenance algorithms to prevent wear and operational errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peristaltic pumps are used to handle inhomogeneous liquid waste, then the pump can process diverse liquid types, but the peristaltic hose experiences rapid wear and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the peristaltic hose from conventional materials to polyurethane, which has superior abrasion resistance and elasticity. This material parameter change allows the hose to withstand the mechanical stress of pumping inhomogeneous liquids while significantly extending its service life and reducing wear.
2Ease of repair
If the peristaltic hose is made replaceable for maintenance, then the pump can be maintained, but incorrect insertion leads to pump malfunction and loss of backflow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the hose connection mechanism through bayonet couplings with specific engagement geometries. The asymmetric shape ensures that the hose can only be inserted in the correct orientation, preventing incorrect insertion while maintaining ease of replacement. This geometric constraint provides mechanical feedback that guides proper assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates visual and mechanical feedback mechanisms in the hose connection system. The bayonet coupling provides tactile feedback through distinct engagement positions, and visual indicators show when the hose is correctly inserted. This feedback system prevents incorrect insertion and ensures reliable pump operation while allowing easy maintenance.
3Strength
If gear pumps or diaphragm pumps are used instead, then robustness is improved, but backflow resistance is lost or valve sticking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts the peristaltic pump principle where the hose acts as a disposable wearing element that can be replaced periodically, while the pump mechanism itself remains robust and maintenance-free. This approach eliminates the need for valves and internal moving parts that are prone to sticking, maintaining backflow resistance through the simple occlusion mechanism while achieving high robustness.
4Ease of operation
If a locking lever with indicating means is added to prevent incorrect hose insertion, then usability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators, potentially involving color changes or distinct visual markers, to show when the hose is correctly inserted. This simple visual feedback system provides clear guidance to operators without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding excessive device complexity.
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
Enhances durability, reduces maintenance needs, and ensures reliable operation by minimizing wear, preventing backflow, and providing intuitive installation feedback, thereby reducing downtime and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (15) is located between pressure plate (10) and a cover (12) for applying a force to the pressure plate (10) against the at least one tube (5)
Implementation Method 2
the rotor (25) comprises a plurality of rollers (20)... wherein the at least one tube (5) which surrounds the rotor partially is located between the plurality of rollers (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a peristaltic pump and provides a peristaltic pump, comprising a motor with a motor axis and a cassette with a rotor that is connected to the motor axis, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of rollers, wherein at least one tube which surrounds the rotor partially is located between the plurality of rollers and a pressure plate which is mounted to a side wall, wherein a spring is located between pressure plate and a cover for applying a force to the pressure plate against the at least one tube, wherein the pressure plate comprises guiding ribs located on the inner surface of the pressure plate facing the at least one tube and the guiding ribs are located on both sides of the at least one tube, characterised in that the at least one tube is connected with a first end to a first vertical tube connector of a first external connector on one side of the rotor and with a second end to a second vertical tube connector of a second external connector on the opposite side of the rotor, wherein first and second vertical tube connector of the external connectors are connected to a connecting tube of a bridge providing at least one outlet, wherein the bridge comprises on their outer ends protrusions as connecting elements which engage into recesses of a side wall plate of the side wall.