Conductivity Probe Spacer Clamping for Faster Assembly Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductivity probes with existing spacers and electrodes require significant effort to correct assembly errors, necessitating disassembly and reassembly of all components due to continuous tie rods used for sealing, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A conductivity probe design with independently actuated clamping devices on spacers and electrodes, allowing individual clamping and loosening at specific points for error correction, reducing the need for complete disassembly and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous tie rods are used to clamp electrodes and spacers, then sealing is achieved, but correction of assembly errors requires complete disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tie rod is segmented into individual clamping devices that can be independently activated and deactivated. Each clamping device can be operated separately to allow access to specific electrodes or spacers for error correction without requiring complete disassembly of the entire assembly, while still maintaining the sealing function through the distributed clamping points.
2Reliability
If continuous tie rods are used to create a sealed assembly, then sealing is maintained, but the effort to correct assembly errors increases with the number of electrodes and spacers
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tie rod is divided into multiple independent clamping devices distributed along the assembly. This segmentation allows operators to quickly access and correct specific errors at individual locations without the time-consuming process of disassembling and reassembling the entire multi-component structure, significantly reducing correction time regardless of the number of electrodes and spacers.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping devices are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing individual activation and deactivation based on maintenance needs. This dynamic capability enables rapid error correction by only loosening clamps at the specific location requiring attention, rather than systematically disassembling the entire assembly.
3Reliability
If continuous tie rods are used for clamping, then the layered assembly is sealed, but subsequent correction requires loosening and removing all tie rods
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tie rod structure is replaced with segmented clamping devices that can be independently operated. This allows maintenance personnel to easily access and correct assembly errors at specific locations by only adjusting the relevant clamping device, eliminating the need to loosen and remove all clamps from the entire layered assembly while preserving the sealing integrity through the distributed clamping system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
A spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) designed and configured for installation in a conductivity probe (1) of a dialysis machine, and a corresponding conductivity probe (1) are disclosed. The spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) has a through channel with two openings (29). A contact area (44) is provided at each opening (29), which has a contact surface (46) arranged transversely to the through channel. A clamping device (50, 52; 54, 56, 58) is provided at each of the two contact areas (44). The two clamping devices (50, 52; 54, 56, 58) can be activated and deactivated independently of each other and can be brought into operative connection with a respective corresponding clamping device (50, 52; 54, 56, 58) of a system area (44) of a further spacer (4, 4a, 6, 6a) or end flange (8, 10) of the conductivity probe (1).