Screwless Peristaltic Pump Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peristaltic pumps used in industrial washing machines fail due to constant vibrations causing screws and pins to loosen, leading to mechanical failure.

Innovation Solution

A screwless peristaltic pump design using snap-fitting plastic components and ultrasonic welding to secure the motor and housing, ensuring the pump remains intact under low torque and low vibration conditions, and incorporating a synchronous motor to meter detergent accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If screws are used to hold the casing together, then the pump can be assembled and disassembled easily, but the screws loosen under constant vibration causing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidresistance to vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional screw-fastening mechanical system with an ultrasonic welding system. The ultrasonic welding process uses high-frequency vibrations to melt and fuse plastic components together, creating a permanent bond that is inherently resistant to loosening under vibration conditions. This substitution eliminates the fundamental weakness of screw connections in vibrational environments while maintaining ease of assembly through a standardized welding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the joining method from mechanical fastening (screws) to thermal-chemical bonding (ultrasonic welding). This parameter change involves transforming the connection mechanism from physical interlocking to molecular-level bonding through localized heating and pressure application during the welding process, resulting in a joint that maintains structural integrity under vibrational stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If pins are used to hold rollers in the rotor, then the rotor can be assembled easily, but the pins push up against the cover under vibration causing the cover to pop off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidresistance to vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pin-retention mechanical system with an ultrasonic welding system. Instead of using pins that can be dislodged by vibration, the rotor components are permanently bonded to the cover through ultrasonic welding. This creates a rigid, vibration-resistant connection that prevents the cover from popping off while maintaining ease of assembly through the welding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies ultrasonic welding before the pump operates under vibrational conditions. This beforehand bonding action creates a permanent connection that cushions against the subsequent vibrational forces, preventing the pins from being pushed against the cover and causing failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of substance

If a synchronous motor is used to meter detergent, then detergent waste is prevented, but the motor requires precise control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent wasteVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronous motor is controlled by the pump's existing mechanical structure. The motor's rotation is directly coupled to the rotor through a shaft connection, allowing the mechanical motion of the pump to automatically control the motor's operation. This self-service control mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic control systems while achieving precise detergent metering through the synchronous relationship between motor and pump rotation.

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

The pump remains functional and efficient, preventing waste by accurately dispensing a predetermined amount of detergent without the need for screws, and is resistant to vibrations and deleterious ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

the synchronous motor, as controlled electronically, meters the detergent to prevent waste in the dish washing machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynchronous motor control:

Implementation Method 2

A screwless peristaltic pump design using snap-fitting plastic components and ultrasonic welding to secure the motor and housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS8585379B2Peristaltic pump that is resistant to torques and vibrations

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 MOLON MOTOR & COIL CORP

AI summary

A peristaltic pump for dispensing liquid includes a front casing portion, a rear casing snap-fitted together with the front casing portion, a rotor confined between the front casing portion and the rear casing portion, a plurality of rollers mounted in the rotor, and a flexible tube compressed at equally spaced intervals by the plurality of rollers. The pump is resistant to constant torques and vibrations caused by a machine to which it is attached so that the pump does not become loose and fall apart. In a first embodiment for low torque and low vibration operations, the pump is screwless. In a second embodiment for high torque and high vibration operations, two screws secure a synchronous gear motor to the pump.