Spring-Loaded Pinch Clamp for Power-Fail Tube Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinch valve technologies, particularly those using solenoids, face challenges in power failure scenarios where they fail to automatically close, potentially leading to fluid leaks and safety issues in medical and other critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A linearly actuated pinch clamp system that incorporates a motor, mechanical drive unit, and a pinching element with a biased actuator, which automatically closes upon detection of power failure, utilizing a microcontroller and energy storage device to ensure reliable operation without continuous power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-based pinch valve is used, then the valve can be actuated to control fluid flow, but the valve fails to automatically close upon power failure, leading to potential fluid leaks and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional solenoid-based approach by using a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically closes the valve upon power failure. Instead of requiring continuous power to maintain closure, the system uses a spring to provide constant closing force, and only requires brief power activation to overcome the spring force and open the valve when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism serves itself by automatically closing the valve without requiring external power or control systems. The spring continuously stores mechanical energy and automatically releases it to close the valve, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex power-failure detection and actuation systems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If continuous power is supplied to maintain pinch clamp position, then the clamp remains stable, but power consumption increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous power application to periodic action by using a spring that continuously stores and releases mechanical energy. The spring maintains constant closing force without requiring continuous electrical power, and the motor only activates periodically to open the valve when needed, dramatically reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical/solenoid-based actuation system with a mechanically-driven spring-loaded system. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous electrical power to maintain position stability, as the mechanical spring naturally provides constant force without energy consumption during the holding phase.
3Reliability
If a spring-loaded actuator is used to provide closing force, then automatic closure upon power failure is achieved, but the force required to open the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically balances forces by using a spring that provides continuous closing force, which the motor temporarily overcomes to open the valve. The spring force is dynamic rather than static, allowing the valve to remain closed under spring pressure during normal operation and automatically return to closed position when power is removed, while the motor provides sufficient force only when needed to open the valve.
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 system provides a reliable, low-power, and noise-reduced solution that maintains the pinch clamp position without continuous power, ensuring fluid control and safety by automatically closing during power failures, thus preventing leaks and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical drive unit connected to the motor for converting a rotary motion of the motor to a linear motion and for introducing a mechanical advantage to the motion of the motor
Implementation Method 2
Pinch valve actuators typically employ an electrical solenoid that is counterbalanced by a spring. The spring applies the force for pinching
Implementation Method 3
The pinching element progressively collapses the outer wall portion against an opposing section of the pinch valve or other support structure to regulate fluid flow through the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A tube clamp closes a flexible tube by applying a pinching force to walls of the flexible tube. The clamp includes a housing connected to a circular flange, the circular flange including a tubular wall surrounding a central bore and including at least one slot in the tubular wall sized to accept the flexible tube. A pinching element is positioned inside the central bore and is rotatable about a central axis of the circular flange. The pinching element includes a pinching projection that has a cross-sectional shape bound by a partial circle, and the partial circle has a radius substantially same as an inner radius of the tubular wall.