Tube Holding Structure for Twist-Free Tube Pump Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube pumps face challenges in easy tube installation due to deformation issues and finger safety hazards during operation, particularly when tubes are twisted or when operators accidentally touch rotating roller parts.
Innovation Solution
A tube holding device with a first and second installation part and a support part that maintains the tube in a constant shape, allowing easy installation by supporting the outer circumferential face with a semicircular support face, and includes insertion holes with wall parts to secure the holding members in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover member is arranged over the accommodation part to prevent finger entrapment, then safety is improved, but tube replacement becomes inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is segmented with an opening region that exposes the annular opening region of the accommodation part. This segmentation allows the cover to provide safety coverage while leaving a specific access path for tube insertion and replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A tube holding device is introduced as an intermediary tool to facilitate tube installation. The device includes holding members that grip the tube and guide it into the accommodation part through the opening region, making the replacement process easier while maintaining safety.
2Ease of operation
If the tube is held by pinching between holding members, then tube positioning is achieved, but deformation such as twisting occurs making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holding device uses multiple holding members distributed at different positions along the tube. Each holding member applies localized grip forces, and the support part provides additional localized support to prevent deformation while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube is preliminarily positioned and held by the holding members before final installation into the accommodation part. The support part provides preliminary support to prevent deformation during this intermediate stage, ensuring the tube maintains its shape for successful installation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a tube holding device configured to hold a tube to be installed to a tube pump including: a first installation part to which a first tube holding member configured to hold a first region of the tube is detachably installed; a second installation part to which a second tube holding member configured to hold a second region, which is different from the first region, of the tube is detachably installed; and a support part having a support face in a third region of the tube between the first region and the second region with the first tube holding member being installed to the first installation part and the second tube holding member being installed to the second installation part, the support face being configured to support a part of an outer circumferential face of the tube and having a substantially semicircular shape in sectional view.