Medical Fluid Pump Center of Gravity Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical fluid pumps often tilt during transport, which can impair their functioning and is difficult to prevent without adding complex and costly components that are hard to clean and maintain.

Innovation Solution

The medical fluid pump's housing is kept horizontal in the carrying position by strategically placing electrical and mechanical components as taring weights, such as batteries and motors, to balance the center of gravity under the carrying handle, eliminating the need for additional components like locks or weights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If locking mechanisms are added to prevent housing tilting, then the housing stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and cleaning difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the locking mechanism entirely and instead uses the existing battery component to serve a dual function: power supply and counterweight. By extracting the stabilizing function from a separate mechanical locking system and integrating it into the battery's gravitational function, the device complexity is reduced while maintaining housing stability during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If locking mechanisms are added to prevent housing tilting, then the housing stability is improved, but the ease of cleaning worsens due to additional crevices and components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing stabilityVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the power supply function and the counterweight function into a single component (the battery). This consolidation eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms and their associated crevices, joints, and moving parts, thereby maintaining housing stability while significantly improving ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If metallic balancing weights are added to shift the center of gravity, then the housing horizontal alignment is improved, but the overall weight increases making handling more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing horizontal alignmentVSAvoidoverall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the battery multi-functional by using it both as a power source and as a counterweight. This eliminates the need for separate metallic balancing weights, achieving the desired center of gravity adjustment and housing horizontal alignment without increasing the overall weight of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional moving components like displaceable bearings are added to make carrying position variable, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases and handling difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying position variabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses the battery's fixed position and gravitational force to automatically stabilize the housing in a horizontal orientation during transport. The system serves itself by using an existing component (battery) to provide the stabilizing function, eliminating the need for complex displaceable bearings or adjustable mechanisms, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity and handling difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution ensures the medical fluid pump remains horizontal and functional during transport, preventing tilting and reducing the risk of germ buildup and increased weight, while maintaining ergonomic handling and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

A battery 32 is arranged in a second longitudinal half ZLH of the housing 4 facing a rear side 34 of the housing 4. The power pack 32 is designed to rest against the rear side 34 of the housing 4. The carrying handle 18 and the battery 32, in particular the power pack 32, are arranged in such a way that a center of gravity of the medical fluid pump 2 is arranged below the carrying handle 18 in the carrying position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4169550A1Internal structure of medical fluid pump
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4169550A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4169550A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4169550A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a medical fluid pump (2), in particular in the form of a syringe or infusion pump (26; 54), comprising a housing (4), a front flap hinged to a front of the housing, a carrying handle (18) pivotally hinged to opposing first and second side surfaces (44; 46), which can be pivoted from a storage position to a carrying position in which it is located above the housing (4), and a number of electrical and mechanical components within the housing (4) that are necessary for all intended functions of the medical fluid pump (2). A selection of components from the electrical and mechanical components within the housing (4) are provided as balancing elements, which are positioned within the housing (4) such that the center of gravity of the medical fluid pump (2) is located substantially below the carrying handle (18) in the carrying position.