Pivotable Pump Head With Separation Sensing for Safe Reorientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users attempting to manually rotate a pump head risk damaging internal components, such as sensors and wires, compromising safety and performance.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable pump head design with interface portions and a sensor that allows safe orientation change by detecting separation from the body housing, enabling 360° pivoting without damaging internal components, and adjusting motor speed accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump head is made fixed and securely connected to the body housing, then the reliability and safety of internal components (sensor and wires) is improved, but the adaptability to change orientation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head is designed with a pivotable connection to the body housing, allowing it to rotate between a locked position (where connector plates contact and secure the head) and an unlocked position (where the head can be freely oriented). This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both security during operation and flexibility during reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a sensor that detects connector plate contact, connector plates that provide mechanical connection and electrical contact, and a pivotable joint that enables orientation change. This segmentation allows the system to independently manage security (through connector plate contact) and adaptability (through the pivotable joint).
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump head is made removable and pivotable to allow orientation change, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of damaging internal components (sensor and wires) is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor provides feedback about the connection state between the pump head and body housing by detecting whether the connector plates are in contact. This feedback mechanism prevents damage by alerting the system when the head is properly secured before allowing operation, and when it is removed or in an unsafe orientation state.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector plates serve as an intermediary element between the pump head and body housing, providing both mechanical connection and electrical contact. This intermediary structure allows the pump head to be safely connected and disconnected without directly exposing internal components like wires and sensors to damage risks.
3Reliability
If the connector plates are designed to extend beyond the interface portions to ensure contact, then the reliability of electrical connection is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector plates combine multiple functions into a single structural element: they provide mechanical connection between the pump head and body housing, establish electrical contact for sensor operation, and serve as physical indicators of proper assembly. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector plates are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously achieve mechanical attachment, electrical conductivity, and alignment guidance. This universal design approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated electrical connectors, reducing structural complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump can include a pump head, a body housing, a motor disposed within the body housing, and a motor shaft extending from the motor. The pump head can include a sensor, at least a first interface portion, and at least a first elongate conductor electrically connecting the sensor to the at least a first interface portion. The body housing can include at least a second interface portion and at least a second elongate conductor electrically connecting the at least a second interface portion to pump electronics. The sensor can be configured to sense when the at least a first interface portion does not contact the at least a second interface portion. When the at least a first interface portion does not contact the at least a second interface portion and the pump head is removed from the body housing, the pump head can be pivotable relative the motor shaft such that an orientation of the pump head can be changed with respect to the body housing.