Rigid Track Membrane for Peristaltic Pump Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps face issues with membrane wear due to friction from pumping fingers and interference with tubing elasticity, leading to increased costs and precision loss over time, especially in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A membrane design with a rigid track that maintains permanent contact with the fingers using mechanical coupling means, allowing for the use of a more resistant material without hindering the tubing's return to its original shape, utilizing a flexible intermediate membrane to compensate for the track's rigidity and enable translational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible membrane is used between the fingers and tubing, then the pump protects from external stresses, but the membrane suffers wear and tear from friction and elasticity effects
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid track portion that maintains permanent contact with the fingers, and a flexible intermediate membrane portion that connects to the tubing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the rigid track resists wear from friction while the flexible portion allows tubing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the membrane have different mechanical properties. The track portion is made rigid to resist wear from finger friction, while the intermediate membrane portion remains flexible to accommodate tubing elasticity. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between protection and durability.
2Power
If the membrane is compressed between the pumping fingers and counter bearing surface, then the pump achieves pumping action, but the membrane is damaged after multiple years due to fatigue from repeated compression and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into a rigid track portion that handles the compression and friction from finger movement, and a flexible intermediate membrane portion that connects to the tubing. The rigid track absorbs the mechanical stress and fatigue from repeated compression cycles, protecting the overall system while maintaining pumping action.
3Reliability
If the flexible membrane is normally flat, then it protects the pumping unit, but it hinders the tube from returning to its initial shape during pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into a rigid track portion and a flexible intermediate membrane portion. The flexible intermediate membrane portion can deform to allow the tubing to return to its shape, while the rigid track portion maintains protection of the pumping unit from external stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate membrane portion maintains flexibility to accommodate tubing deformation and elastic recovery, while the track portion is rigid for protection. This local quality differentiation allows the membrane to simultaneously protect the pump and allow tubing elasticity without hindering the tube's return to its original shape.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If a rigid material is used for the track portion, then wear from friction is reduced, but the track would interfere with tubing elasticity if not properly coupled
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into a rigid track portion and a flexible intermediate membrane portion. The rigid track is mechanically coupled to the fingers to follow their movement, while the flexible intermediate membrane connects to the tubing. This segmentation allows the rigid track to resist wear without interfering with tubing elasticity, as the flexible portion accommodates the tubing's deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate membrane acts as an intermediary between the rigid track and the tubing. It transfers the protection and structural support from the rigid track to the tubing while maintaining flexibility to allow elastic deformation and recovery, thus resolving the conflict between wear resistance and elasticity compatibility.
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 solution extends the lifespan of the membrane, reduces wear, and maintains pump precision by using a more resistant material for the track while avoiding interference with the tubing's elasticity, thus minimizing costly replacements and recalibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible intermediate membrane connecting the track to the frame in such a way that the membrane forms a continuous, impermeable surface
Implementation Method 2
the means for putting the track in permanent contact with the ends of the fingers consist of means for mechanically coupling the track to the end of at least one finger
Implementation Method 3
Peristaltic pumps are made up of a series of parallel fingers driven in a vertical reciprocating movement. The ends of the fingers press down on a flexible tube placed between the fingers and a platen
Data Source
AI summary
A linear peristaltic pump with fingers includes a membrane positioned between the pumping fingers (250) and the tube. A part of the membrane against which the fingers (250) press, which part is called the track (212), is kept in permanent contact with the end of the fingers (250) throughout the duration of the pumping cycle, even in the absence of any tube. This material will be more rigid than the rubber conventionally used but, by virtue of the permanent contact, the track will not remain pressed against the tube but will, by contrast, be lifted by the finger (250). It will thus be possible to select a stronger material that will suffer less wear for the track. The precision of the pump will be guaranteed for longer and membrane changes that are painstaking and costly in terms of time and in terms of labor will be avoided.