Self-aligning Power Screw for Syringe Pump Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Syringe pumps face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to the need for precise and accurate tolerances in power screw and linear rail systems, making them difficult and expensive to produce, which leads to inefficiencies in industrial environments.
Innovation Solution
A syringe pump design featuring a frame with a linear rail, a travel block, and a power screw with a motor-driven pulley system, where the power screw is rotatably supported by bearings and the travel block is threadably connected to the power screw, allowing for simpler assembly and alignment using machined datum surfaces for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional power screw and linear rail systems are used to ensure precise and accurate tolerances, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power screw is designed with a self-aligning mechanism where the spherical interface between the power screw end and the travel block automatically compensates for misalignment. This self-adjusting feature eliminates the need for complex precision alignment procedures during assembly, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to achieve the required positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If traditional power screw and linear rail systems are used to ensure precise and accurate tolerances, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical interface creates a self-aligning mechanism that automatically compensates for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. This eliminates the need for complex precision alignment procedures during assembly, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to achieve the required positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-aligning spherical interface is built into the design from the beginning, pre-compensating for potential misalignment issues. This preliminary design feature prevents the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or precision alignment procedures during assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional power screw and linear rail systems are used to ensure precise and accurate tolerances, then linear movement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and assembly time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical interface between the power screw end and the travel block creates a self-aligning mechanism that automatically compensates for misalignment. This eliminates the need for time-consuming precision alignment procedures during assembly, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining positioning accuracy.
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 design simplifies the assembly process while maintaining precision and accuracy in fluid dispensation, reducing manufacturing costs by allowing for more relaxed tolerances and ensuring proper alignment of components, thus achieving high linear precision and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A power screw having a first end rotatably supported by bearings is disposed within the frame and has a free second end opposite the first end of the power screw wherein the travel block is threadably connected to the power screw
Implementation Method 2
A motor driven pulley is connected to the power screw for rotatably driving the power screw
Implementation Method 3
A linear rail is disposed in and connected to the frame, and a travel block is disposed within the frame and slidably connected to the linear rail
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of assembling a syringe pump for accurately dispensing a fluid from a syringe. The syringe pump has a frame having a valve assembly connectable to the syringe. A linear rail is disposed in and connected to the frame, and a travel block is disposed within the frame and slidably connected to the linear rail. A connector is connected to the travel block and connectable to the syringe. A power screw having a first end rotatably supported by bearings is disposed within the frame and has a free second end opposite the first end of the power screw wherein the travel block is threadably connected to the power screw. The power screw is rotatably driven to effectively drive the travel block and the connector linearly along the linear rail thereby dispensing the fluid from the syringe.