Silicone Fluid Transfer Assembly Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer assemblies for medicinal substances in the medical industry face issues with gaps or voids between tubes and connectors, which can lead to contamination and microbiological growth, and are often complex to manufacture, with potential detachment of tubes from connectors.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer assembly comprising silicone tubes and a silicone manifold with complementary configurations that minimize gaps, where the free ends of the tubes are inserted into recessed connector portions and an outer capsule is molded over the assembly to secure the tubes to the manifold, creating a continuous passageway and ensuring secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional T-shaped connectors with barbs are used to interconnect tubes, then the connector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gaps or voids are created between the tubes and connector which can accumulate medicinal substances and lead to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The connector and tubes are merged into a single integrated component through co-molding, where the tubes are inserted into the mold along with a rigid member and liquid silicone is injected to form both the connector and tube connections simultaneously. This eliminates the separate assembly step and the gaps that would exist between separately manufactured components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubes are nested within the connector structure during the molding process. The tubes are inserted into the mold first, then the liquid silicone is injected around them, creating a nested configuration where the tubes are embedded within the connector material, eliminating external gaps.
2Reliability
If tubes are securely fastened to the connector using traditional methods, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex with additional components like barbs and interengagement features
Solution Approach 1:
The connection features are merged into the molding process itself. The rigid member with tube-holding features and the liquid silicone connector are formed together in a single process, creating an integrated connection structure that is both reliable and simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly uses composite construction with a rigid member (providing structural support) and liquid silicone (providing flexible connection and sealing). This composite approach allows the connection features to be built into the mold rather than added as separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple process steps are used to create the transfer assembly (as in simultaneous molding), then gaps and contamination risks are eliminated, but the manufacturing complexity and number of steps increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The tubes are pre-positioned and inserted into the mold before the connector material is injected. This preliminary action ensures that the tubes are in their final positions and the connector material will flow around them to create gap-free connections, eliminating the need for post-assembly gap sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The entire assembly process is merged into a single molding operation. The rigid member, tubes, and connector are all formed and assembled in one continuous process, eliminating multiple separate manufacturing steps while achieving gap-free construction.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluid transfer assembly (10) for transporting medicinal substances. The fluid transfer assembly includes flexible tubes (14) and a manifold (12) each comprising silicone. The manifold has an inner protrusion (24) and connector portions having (26) inner walls. Free ends of the tubes are inserted into complementary configured inner walls of the connector portions until each of the free ends abut the inner protrusion, which creates a continuous uninterrupted passageway between the inner bores of the tubes through the manifold.