Tube Joint Structure for Blind Insertion Into Micro Resin Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tube pumps, the operation of inserting a joint part into a resin-made tube with a small inner diameter is difficult due to the high rigidity of the tube, making it challenging to perform without visually recognizing the channel.
Innovation Solution
A joint structure with a protrusion and a tubular part that holds the outer peripheral surface of the resin-made tube, allowing the protrusion to be inserted into the liquid transferring channel without visual recognition, facilitated by the protrusion's needle-like shape and the tubular part's secure holding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tube thickness is increased to obtain sufficient durability against pressing force, then the rigidity of the tube increases, but the ease of inserting the joint part into the channel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is divided into two functional parts: a tubular part for holding the tube outer peripheral surface and a protrusion for insertion into the channel. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the tubular part provides holding force while the protrusion performs the insertion function, resolving the contradiction between tube rigidity and insertion ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular part acts as an intermediary between the joint structure and the tube. It first holds the tube outer peripheral surface to position and stabilize the tube, then facilitates the insertion of the protrusion into the channel. This intermediary mechanism makes insertion easier even when the tube has high rigidity due to increased thickness.
2Productivity
If the inner diameter of the channel is reduced to achieve extremely micro flow rate, then the productivity increases, but the ease of visually recognizing the channel for insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure performs self-alignment and self-insertion through its geometric design. The tubular part holds the tube to automatically align the channel with the protrusion axis, and the protrusion shape guides itself into the channel without requiring visual recognition. This self-service mechanism enables accurate insertion even when the channel is too small to be visually recognized.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion has an asymmetric needle-like shape with a tapered profile that is easier to insert than a symmetric cylindrical shape. This asymmetric geometry provides directional guidance during insertion, allowing the operator to insert the protrusion correctly without visual recognition of the small channel, thus enabling micro flow rate applications.
3Ease of operation
If the protrusion is made with large outer diameter to facilitate insertion, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of sealing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion has different local qualities along its length: the outer diameter is gradually reduced from the base toward the tip, creating a needle-like tapered shape. The larger base portion facilitates easy insertion by providing sufficient contact area, while the smaller tip portion ensures reliable sealing by fitting tightly into the channel. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and sealing reliability.
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
Enables easy insertion of the protrusion into the liquid transferring channel, providing a secure seal and allowing for efficient assembly of the joint unit without requiring visual recognition of the channel.
Implementation Method 1
the outer peripheral surface of the resin-made tube is held by an inner peripheral surface of the tubular part before the end of the resin-made tube comes in contact with the tip of the protrusion. The outer peripheral surface of the resin-made tube is held by the inner peripheral surface of the tubular part, and the liquid transferring channel formed in the resin-made tube is accordingly disposed on the same axis as a center axis of the tubular part.
Implementation Method 2
When an operator presses the resin-made tube toward the main body of the joint structure, the protrusion disposed on the same axis is inserted in the liquid transferring channel.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a joint structure comprising a main body, a tubular part that is formed in a tubular shape to protrude from the main body along an axis and holds an outer peripheral surface of the resin-made tube, and a protrusion that is formed in a shaft shape to protrude from the main body along the axis and forms, between the protrusion and the tubular part, an insertion groove in which the resin-made tube is inserted, the main body and the protrusion are formed with a coupling channel extending along the axis and coupling a liquid transferring channel and another channel, and a tip of the protrusion is disposed at a position closer to the main body than a tip of the tubular part.