Peristaltic Pump Printed Circuit Board Design for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumps have complex electronic arrangements that increase manufacturing costs, making them expensive and complicating assembly, installation, and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump design featuring a compact housing with a printed circuit board configured from antisymmetric portions of a rectangular or square board, using snap-fit connections and male-female electrical connectors to simplify assembly and reduce costs, eliminating the need for wiring and screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If complex electronic arrangements are used in peristaltic pumps, then the control functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply terminals and control circuitry onto a single printed circuit board that integrates both functions. The board includes terminals for power supply connection and traces that distribute power to the motor, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one unified electronic assembly, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support for electronic components, provides electrical connections for power supply, distributes power to the motor, and implements control logic. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structures for each function, reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the electronic arrangement.
2Extent of automation
If complex electronic arrangements are used in peristaltic pumps, then the control functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating power supply terminals and control circuitry onto a single printed circuit board, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs through reduced material usage, simplified production processes, and decreased assembly time, while preserving complete control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board is designed to be self-contained, with all necessary electrical connections and control elements integrated directly onto the board. This eliminates the need for additional wiring harnesses, separate terminal blocks, and complex assembly procedures, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the production process.
3Reliability
If traditional wiring and screw connections are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but assembly and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical screw connections and wiring harnesses with a printed circuit board that provides integrated electrical connections. The board's traces and terminals establish reliable electrical connections through standardized soldering or conductive adhesives, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and hand-wired connections, thereby simplifying assembly and maintenance while maintaining connection reliability.
4Reliability
If wiring and screws are used for component connections, then secure mechanical and electrical connection is achieved, but assembly time and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining electrical connections and mechanical support into a single printed circuit board structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate wiring and screwing operations. Components are mounted directly onto the board using standardized through-hole or surface-mount techniques, which secure both mechanical and electrical connections in one step, significantly reducing assembly time and maintenance requirements while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical screw connections with integrated mounting structures on the printed circuit board. Components are secured through the board's physical structure combined with electrical soldering, eliminating the need for separate mechanical fasteners. This integration reduces assembly steps and maintenance time while ensuring secure mechanical and electrical connections.
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 minimizes the cost of the control printed circuit board, simplifies assembly and maintenance, and reduces operational costs by using snap-fit connections and eliminating wiring, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective peristaltic pump.
Implementation Method 1
the printed circuit board being configured to control the peristaltic pump and to supply power to the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
the electronic and mechanical components (e.g. an electronic board and a reduction gear) are coupled inside the pump through snap-fits
Implementation Method 3
a peristaltic pump comprises (at least) one tube that is squeezed by two or more rollers (or similar elements) with which a rotor set in rotation by an electric motor is provided; thanks to the pressure variations created in the various portions of the tube separated by the squeezing rollers, the fluid is aspirated in the tube and is dispensed from the duct operating as outlet duct
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(e)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~4(d)
AI summary
Peristaltic pump comprising un housing (100), containing an electric motor (130), and a head (200) configured to be coupled to the housing (100), the head (200) housing a tube comprising two accessible ends and a rotor provided with two or more squeezing elements configured to squeeze the tube, the rotor being configured to be driven by the electric motor (130) when the head (200) is coupled to the housing (100), wherein the housing (100) further contains a printed circuit board (160) configured to control the peristaltic pump and to supply power to the electric motor (130), the printed circuit board (160) being provided with two slots (161), configured to house two power supply terminals (131) of the electric motor (130) insertable into the two slots (161), and with two or more protruding male blade terminals (162), configured to be connected to external female blade terminals of an external power supply, the printed circuit board (160) being substantially triangular and configured to be obtained from a pair of printed circuit boards (160) identical to each other obtainable by separating two antisymmetric portions of a rectangular board (900) along a section line (930) that is antisymmetric with respect to or coincident with a diagonal of the rectangular board (900).