Biological Analyzer Pipe Clamp With Annular Pocket Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biological analysis devices face challenges with pipe retention, leading to musculoskeletal disorders and leakage risks due to complex and impractical assembly processes using pneumatic clamps and sleeve fittings.

Innovation Solution

A flange system with a plastic body featuring external and central branches that engage to form annular pockets for clamping pipes, allowing for quick and simple installation, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and leakage, and accommodating pipes of varying diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic clamps and sleeve fittings are used to hold pipes on valves, then pipe retention is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and musculoskeletal disorders risk arises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe retentionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is divided into multiple branches (first external branch, second external branch, central branch) with recesses that segment the pipe clamping function into distributed contact points, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining secure pipe retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flange appears to be a single-use, disposable component that is quickly assembled and discarded with the cartridge, eliminating the need for complex reusable pneumatic clamps and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a two-part tubing retention system is used, then pipe clamping is achieved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube retentionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pipe clamping functions are merged into a single integrated flange structure with multiple branches, eliminating the need for separate two-part retention systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable tube retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If diagonal cutting of pipes and sleeves is performed, then fitting is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting capabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses in the flange branches are designed with specific geometric parameters that accommodate standard pipe outer diameters directly, eliminating the need for diagonal cutting and reducing assembly time while maintaining proper fitting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 flange system enables efficient and rapid pipe retention on biological analysis devices, minimizing musculoskeletal strain and leakage risks while accommodating pipes of different diameters, making it suitable for 2- or 3-way valves.

Implementation Method 1

a flange (2) comprising an elastic body (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

At least some of the early recesses include gadroons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3728920B1Clamp for biological analysis device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 HORIBA ABX SAS
  • EP3728920B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamp for a biological analysis device which comprises a plastic body that comprises a base (12) to which a first outer branch (6), a second outer branch (10) and a central branch (8) are connected, the first outer branch (6) being longer than the second outer branch (10) and said first outer branch (6) and second outer branch (10) being arranged to engage mutually when the clamp is closed. The first outer branch (6) and the second outer branch (10) each have a first recess (34, 40) and a second recess (32, 38) on the portion oriented towards the inside of the body (4), the first recess (34, 40) being further from the base (12). The central branch (8) has two pairs of recesses (44-46; 48-50) each provided on one side and comprising a first recess (46; 50) and a second recess (44; 48), which are homologous with the first recess (34; 40) and the second recess (32; 38), respectively, of the first outer branch (6) and the second outer branch (10), the second recesses (44; 48) being dimensioned so that the first outer branch (6) and the second outer branch (10) come substantially into contact with the central branch (8) when the clamp is closed, the first recesses (34-46; 40-50) then defining therebetween two annular pockets (54; 58), each suitable for clamping a pipe (56; 60) which it receives.