Peristaltic Pump Roller Track and Rounded Edge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps used in medical devices often generate noise and vibration due to the engagement and disengagement of rollers with tubing, which can be disruptive in sterile environments and affect the efficiency of fluid movement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a track that maintains contact with the rollers even when they are not engaged with tubing, reducing noise and vibration by limiting radial movement and incorporating rounded edges on rollers for smoother engagement with the tubing, along with an indicator pin for loading state visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rollers engage and disengage with tubing during pump operation, then fluid can be moved through the tubing, but noise and vibration are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is designed with a rounded edge instead of a sharp edge. This curvature allows the roller to smoothly engage with and disengage from the tubing, eliminating the impact and vibration that occurs with sharp edges. The rounded profile creates a gradual contact transition that reduces noise while maintaining effective fluid propulsion through the tubing.
2Ease of operation
If the roller is allowed to move freely radially during operation, then smooth engagement with tubing is achieved, but noise and vibration increase due to uncontrolled movement
Solution Approach 1:
A track is introduced as an intermediary element between the roller and the pump housing. This track guides and constrains the radial movement of the roller, ensuring it follows a controlled path during engagement and disengagement with the tubing. The track acts as a mediator that allows necessary roller movement while preventing uncontrolled radial displacement that causes noise and vibration.
3Power
If the roller engages firmly with the tubing, then effective fluid pumping is achieved, but the pump structure experiences increased stress and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded edge of the roller distributes the pumping force over a larger contact area with the tubing. This curvature prevents concentrated stress points that would otherwise transmit high-impact forces to the pump structure. The smooth rounded profile maintains effective pumping pressure while reducing peak forces and vibration transmitted to the pump housing.
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 results in a quieter and more efficient operation of the pump, reducing noise and vibration, and provides clear visual indicators for the loading state, enhancing the operational reliability and user experience in medical fluid handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first portion includes at least one roller for engaging tubing. The second portion includes a raceway that may be opposed to the at least one roller so that when the roller engages the tubing, the tubing is pressed against the raceway by the roller.
Implementation Method 2
In embodiments, the roller may include a top edge or a bottom edge that is rounded. The design incorporates a track that maintains contact with the rollers even when they are not engaged with tubing, reducing noise and vibration by limiting radial movement and incorporating rounded edges on rollers for smoother engagement with the tubing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
Embodiments of pumps are described herein that may be used as peristaltic pumps. The pumps may include features that provide for quiet operation as well as automatically loading of tubing. Embodiments may be implemented in blood separation systems.