Spring-Biased Pinch Clamp for Power-Failure Tube Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinch valve technologies, particularly those using solenoids, face challenges in power failure scenarios where they fail to automatically close, potentially leading to fluid leakage and safety issues in medical and other critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A linearly actuated pinch clamp system that incorporates a motor, mechanical drive unit, and a pinching element with a biased actuator, which automatically closes upon detection of power failure, utilizing a microcontroller and energy storage device to ensure reliable operation without continuous power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid-based pinch valve is used, then the valve can be actuated to control fluid flow, but the valve fails to automatically close upon power failure, leading to potential fluid leakage and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional solenoid-based approach by using a spring-loaded mechanism that defaults to the closed position. Instead of using electromagnetic force to close the valve (solenoid), the invention uses mechanical spring force to maintain closure, and only applies electrical power to open the valve when needed. This inversion ensures automatic closure upon power failure while reducing complexity of the actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic solenoid actuation system with a mechanically-driven spring-loaded actuator. The spring mechanism provides the closing force mechanically, eliminating the need for continuous electromagnetic power to maintain valve closure. This substitution improves reliability during power failures while simplifying the overall actuator mechanism.
2Reliability
If continuous power is applied to maintain pinch clamp position, then precise control is achieved, but power consumption increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by applying power only when the valve needs to be opened or closed, rather than continuous power application. The spring-loaded mechanism maintains the closed position passively without power, and the motor is activated only during state transitions. This periodic actuation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining precise control capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded actuator serves itself by using stored mechanical energy in the spring to maintain valve closure without requiring continuous electrical power. The system self-regulates the pinch clamp position through mechanical means, eliminating the need for continuous powered control and reducing both energy consumption and operational noise.
3Reliability
If a spring-loaded actuator is used instead of solenoid, then automatic closure upon power failure is achieved, but the force required to open the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the spring during the valve closing operation. The motor-driven mechanism compresses the spring against the tube before releasing, storing potential energy that assists in maintaining closure. This preliminary compression reduces the force required during subsequent opening operations, as the spring's stored energy can be utilized to assist the opening motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using a motor-driven actuator that can dynamically adjust the force applied to overcome the spring load. The motor provides variable torque control, allowing it to deliver high force when needed to compress the spring and open the valve, then reduce power consumption when maintaining position. This dynamic control balances the increased force requirement with energy efficiency.
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 system provides a reliable, low-power, and noise-reduced solution that maintains the pinch clamp position without continuous power, ensuring fluid control and safety by automatically closing during power failures, thus preventing leaks and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical drive unit connected to the motor for converting a rotary motion of the motor to a linear motion and for introducing a mechanical advantage to the motion of the motor
Implementation Method 2
The pinching element progressively collapses the outer wall portion against an opposing section of the pinch valve or other support structure to regulate fluid flow through the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling flow through a flexible tube includes providing a pinch clamp mechanism including a pinching element and a pinching surface configured to apply a force on the flexible tube when the flexible tube is positioned between the pinching element and the pinching surface. The method also includes displacing the pinching element relative to the pinching surface with a mechanical drive unit and biasing the pinching element toward the pinching surface with a spring.