Transverse Carrier Assembly for Ultra-High Pressure Fluid Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid displacement and pressurizing devices are difficult to assemble, particularly for ultra-high pressure applications, as they require manual longitudinal installation and rotation of the carrier member, leading to slow assembly processes and potential structural issues due to high friction and torsional loads.

Innovation Solution

A fluid displacement and pressurizing device with a transversely installable carrier member and plunger engaging structure, forming a sub-assembly that simplifies assembly and allows for automated processing, while distributing loads over a larger surface area to prevent structural failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the carrier member is installed longitudinally and rotated to lock in place, then the device achieves reliable locking, but the assembly process becomes slow and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier member locking reliabilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: a carrier member that can be pre-assembled with the plunger engaging structure, and a housing into which the carrier is inserted. This segmentation allows the carrier to be installed in a single longitudinal motion without requiring in-situ rotation and locking operations, thereby speeding up assembly while maintaining reliability through the retained bayonet engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plunger engaging structure (nut member and link members) is pre-assembled onto the carrier member before the carrier is installed into the housing. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need to perform complex threading and locking operations inside the housing during final assembly, allowing the carrier to be simply inserted longitudinally into the housing to complete the assembly process quickly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the nut member and link members are installed after carrier member locking, then the assembly sequence is maintained, but the overall assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly sequence simplicityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The nut member and link members are pre-assembled onto the carrier member in a separate preliminary operation. This allows the final assembly step to involve only the simple longitudinal insertion of the pre-assembled carrier into the housing, dramatically reducing assembly time while keeping the manufacturing sequence simple and logical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the carrier member uses bayonet style ears for load distribution, then the structure is simple, but the engagement surface area is limited and compression strength is exceeded under extreme pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distribution structure simplicityVSAvoidhousing compression strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier member is designed with an enlarged surface area at its ends that extends beyond the circular perimeter of the housing bore. This dimensional extension provides an increased engagement surface area for load distribution to the housing, allowing the simple bayonet ear structure to handle extreme pressures without exceeding the compression strength of polymeric housing materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stress or pressure

If the device is designed for ultra-high pressure applications, then the pressure capability increases, but torsional loads cause housing twist and require additional rigid structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultra-high pressure capabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger engaging structure (nut member and link members) is extracted from the housing and mounted on the carrier member instead. This allows the carrier to absorb and isolate torsional loads generated during plunger rotation, preventing these loads from being transmitted to and twisting the housing. The housing structure is simplified since it no longer needs to resist these torsional forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier member acts as an intermediary between the plunger engaging structure and the housing. It absorbs the torsional loads from nut member rotation and transfers only longitudinal forces to the housing through its enlarged engagement surfaces, protecting the housing from twist and eliminating the need for additional torsional reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3258996B1Fluid displacement and pressurizing devices, and assembly thereof
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 ATRION MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC
  • EP3258996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258996B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3258996B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid displacement and pressurizing device having a housing and a carrier member. A plunger extends through the carrier member, and plunger engaging structure is retained by the carrier member. The plunger engaging structure is selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, the plunger. The housing and earner member are configured such that the carrier member is transversely installable in the housing. Preferably, both the carrier member and the plunger engaging structure form a sub-assembly, and the sub-assembly is transversely installable in the housing after having been assembled. By providing that the carrier member is transversely installable as a sub-assembly which includes the plunger engaging structure, the device is easy to assemble, and lends itself well to an automated assembly process. Integral handle and gripping features make control and operation of the devices easier, and allows for torsional operating loads to be resolved without reaching the device body.