Peristaltic Pumphead Tube Assembly with Segmented Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps face difficulties in assembly due to the need for significant force to thread a pumping tube through the housing and ensuring precise arrangement, which can lead to improper tube placement and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pumphead design featuring an end fitting with a threaded shank and abutment shoulder, allowing for easier tube insertion and secure retention within the pumphead housing, facilitated by a retaining element that engages with the housing, enabling precise tube placement and reduced assembly force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tube is threaded through the housing between the rollers and the inner wall, then the pump can be assembled, but a large amount of force is required and precise arrangement is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tube assembly is segmented into multiple sections with varying diameters. A first section with a smaller diameter is provided that allows the tube to be threaded through the housing more easily, while a second section with a larger diameter provides the necessary compression between the rollers and housing wall. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing easy insertion through the smaller first section while maintaining proper compression through the larger second section.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube is pre-formed with a specific multi-section geometry before assembly. The first section is designed with a smaller diameter to facilitate easy threading through the housing during assembly, while the second section is designed with a larger diameter to ensure proper compression. This preliminary preparation of the tube geometry eliminates the need for high assembly forces while ensuring correct tube arrangement.
2Reliability
If the tube is compressed between the rollers and the pump housing, then the peristaltic action is achieved, but assembly becomes difficult and precise arrangement is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into functional sections: a first section with smaller diameter for easy insertion and positioning, and a second section with larger diameter for reliable compression between the rollers and housing. This segmentation allows the assembly process to be easier while maintaining the reliability of peristaltic action through proper compression of the second section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the tube are given different diameters to fulfill different functions. The first section has a smaller diameter optimized for insertion and positioning, while the second section has a larger diameter optimized for compression and peristaltic action. This local differentiation of tube properties resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and reliability of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a multi-section tube is used with different diameters, then assembly is easier and arrangement is more precise, but the tube design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is segmented into two main sections with different diameters, which is a simple form of segmentation that provides the necessary functional differentiation without excessive complexity. The first section facilitates assembly while the second section provides compression, achieving the desired effect with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube design utilizes parameter changes in diameter along its length to achieve different functions. By varying the diameter parameter from the first section to the second section, the tube can be easily assembled while maintaining reliable peristaltic action, without requiring complex multi-component designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A peristaltic pumphead comprising a pumphead housing accommodating a pumping tube, an end of the tube being provided with an end fitting having a through passage and an abutment shoulder and a threaded shank extending from the abutment shoulder into the tube the tube end abutting the abutment shoulder and being accommodated in an opening, in the pumphead housing, the abutment shoulder abutting the housing at the opening, and the end fitting being engaged by a retaining element to retain the abutment shoulder against the housing.