Spring-Loaded Clip Separation Tool for Tight Sterile Line Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sterile line clips in cleanrooms are difficult to separate manually, requiring significant force and time, which can lead to ergonomic issues and contamination due to spills.
Innovation Solution
A clip separation tool with first and second arms, a pivot mechanism, and a spring, allowing for easy disconnection of clips with reduced manual effort, enabling one-handed operation and quick separation of connected tubing attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sterile line clips are manufactured with tight tolerances to meet cleanroom requirements, then sterility and manufacturing precision are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates making clips difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
A separation tool acts as an intermediary device between the user and the tightly-toleranced clip. The tool includes engagement features that interface with the clip's geometry, translating user input into the precise movements needed to overcome the tight tolerances and separate the clip halves without requiring the user to directly manipulate the difficult-to-separate clip components
Solution Approach 2:
The separation tool incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts the engagement force applied to the clip. The spring provides controlled force to overcome the friction and interference fits created by tight manufacturing tolerances, enabling reliable separation while maintaining precision throughout the operation
2Ease of operation
If significant force is applied to separate connected clips, then separation is achieved, but sterility is compromised due to spills
Solution Approach 1:
The separation tool serves as a controlled intermediary that mediates the separation process. It incorporates features like containment walls and controlled release mechanisms that prevent uncontrolled separation and spills, allowing sufficient force to be applied to overcome tight tolerances while maintaining sterility through controlled separation
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design includes features that cushion and control the separation process before it completes. This may include spring-loaded mechanisms that gradually increase separation force, or containment structures that prevent spills during the separation transition, ensuring sterility is maintained throughout the entire separation sequence
3Device complexity
If clips are separated by hand, then no additional tool is needed, but time consumption and ergonomic harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation tool is designed to perform the separation function automatically once engaged with the clip. The spring-loaded mechanism and geometric features work together to self-propel the separation action, reducing the time and effort required compared to manual separation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
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 tool significantly reduces the time and effort needed to disconnect clips, maintaining sterility and improving ergonomic safety by allowing for efficient and rapid separation of sterile line clips in cleanroom environments.
Implementation Method 1
The spring biases the arms to rotate to an equilibrium position, which is attained automatically under spring loading once the proximal ends of the arms are relieved of loading
Implementation Method 2
the arms may rotate relative to each other around the pivot mechanism in a rotational plane such that the distal ends of the arms pivot away from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are disclosed for disconnecting clips. A clip separation tool includes two arms, the arms having jaws to receive connected clips at a distal end of the arms and handle portions on a proximal end for a user to engage the tool with his hand. A pivot mechanism is coupled to the arms, where, responsive to a force applied to the handle portions, the arms rotate relative to each other around the pivot mechanism such that the distal ends of the arms pivot away from one another and the proximal ends of the arms pivot towards one another. A spring biases the arms to rotate to an equilibrium position that is attained automatically under spring loading once the proximal ends of the arms are relieved of loading. The clip separation tool disconnects connected clips as the force causes the arms to rotate around the pivot mechanism.