Peristaltic Pump Releasing System for Fluid Line Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peristaltic pumps face challenges in safely and easily installing and removing fluid lines, which can lead to premature damage and require professional intervention, posing risks especially in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pump with a releasable system that includes a releasing member and contrasting elements, allowing for easy switching between operative and released configurations, thereby reducing compression forces on the fluid line during installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid line is compressed between the rollers and the track for pump operation, then fluid flow is achieved, but the fluid line is stressed repetitively during installation and removal leading to premature damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system dynamically transitions between two configurations: an operative configuration where rollers compress the fluid line for pumping, and a released configuration where rollers are retracted to minimize compression. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for either fluid transport or safe line handling depending on operational phase
Solution Approach 2:
Before fluid line installation or removal, the system performs a preliminary action by switching to the released configuration, retracting rollers from their operative positions. This preliminary retraction prevents excessive compression forces during subsequent line manipulation, thereby preventing damage while facilitating easy installation and removal
2Ease of operation
If the fluid line is forcibly manipulated during installation and removal, then the line can be installed or removed, but professional intervention is required extending the time needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic repositioning of contrasting elements between operative and released configurations to automatically facilitate fluid line handling. This eliminates the need for professional manipulation techniques, allowing any user to quickly install or remove lines without specialized training or extended time
Solution Approach 2:
The releasing system extracts the compression function from the fluid line during installation and removal operations. By removing the rollers from their operative compression positions and placing them in a released state, the system eliminates the need for forceful manipulation, enabling quick and easy line handling by non-professionals
3Reliability
If a release system is added to the peristaltic pump, then fluid line damage is reduced and ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The releasing system uses the same contrasting elements (rollers) already present in the pump for its primary pumping function. These multi-functional elements serve both to compress the fluid line during operation and to be retracted during release mode. This universal use of existing components adds minimal complexity while achieving the safety and operational benefits
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 solution significantly reduces the risk of fluid line damage, simplifies the installation and removal processes, and ensures safety by minimizing the need for professional intervention, while maintaining high reliability and low manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The peristaltic pump also comprises an elastic element configured to move, by elastic deformation and recovery, the contrasting element from the released position to the operative position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
Peristaltic pump (1) configured to receive a fluid line (50) and comprising a stator (2) having a pump race (3), a rotor (10) surrounded by the pump race (3) and configured to rotate about a rotor axis (RA), wherein the rotor (10) comprises a contrasting element (11) configured to abut against the fluid line (50). The contrasting element (11) is movable between a released position wherein the contrasting element (11) is away from the pump race, and an operative position wherein the at least one contrasting element (11) is approached to the pump race (3) and configured to abut against the fluid line (50), wherein in the released position the contrasting element (11) is at a distance from the pump race higher than in the operative position. The peristaltic pump further comprises a releasing member (31) borne by the stator (2) and movable between an active position and a rest position, wherein the releasing member (31) is spatially shifted with respect to the rotor axis (RA).