Tube Pump Cradle Protrusions for Snap-Fix Tube Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube pumps and clamps lack secure and user-feedback mechanisms for safe operation, particularly in medical settings, where ensuring the clamp is properly attached is crucial for safe perfusion processes without increasing costs or complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tube pump design with protrusions in its cavity for secure attachment of a tube clamp, combined with elastically deformable bar-shaped elements on the clamp for snapping attachment, providing audible feedback when securely fixed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tube clamps are used without secure attachment mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of tube fixation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tube clamp is designed with elastic bar-shaped elements that automatically engage with protrusions in the cradle when the clamp is inserted. The elastic deformation and snap-fit mechanism occur automatically without requiring additional fastening steps or complex locking mechanisms, making the system self-securing while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bar-shaped elements act as intermediaries between the tube clamp and the cradle. These elements deform elastically to accommodate the protrusions and then snap into place, providing a reliable mechanical connection that is both simple to implement and highly effective at securing the clamp
2Ease of operation
If no user feedback mechanism is provided, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation is reduced due to lack of confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bar-shaped elements provide tactile feedback to the user during insertion. When the bars snap into engagement with the protrusions, the user can feel the snap action, providing clear confirmation that the tube clamp is properly secured. This feedback mechanism is inherent in the mechanical design rather than being an added component
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism itself provides the feedback through the snap-action engagement of the elastic bars with the protrusions. No separate indication system is needed—the mechanical engagement process inherently communicates the secured state to the user through tactile sensation
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
Ensures safe and reliable operation of the tube pump system by securely fixing the clamp and providing user feedback without significant cost increases, enhancing safety and ease of use in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bar-shaped element (21) which is elastically deformable by lateral pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a tube pump comprising a cradle (1) with a cavity (11) suitable for the accommodation of a tube clamp (2). It further concerns a tube clamp (2) for a flexible tube, the tube clamp being suitable for accommodation in a tube pump, the tube clamp having a mobile part and an immobile part (20) designed to penetrate at least partly into a housing (11) realized in the tube pump. The invention also concerns a perfusion set. Finally, the invention concerns a system comprising a tube pump and a tube clamp. In order to provide a system comprising a tube pump and a tube clamp with improved operation safety, the tube pump has a cavity (11) with at least one protrusion (14) and the tube clamp (2) has means (21) for snapping attachment of the tube clamp behind the protrusion (14). This arrangement allows to fix the tube clamp (2) safely in the cavity (11) and to give furthermore a feedback to the user because he feels (and he might in addition hear) that the tube clamp has snapped behind the protrusion. A further advantage resides in the fact that the solution according to the present invention can be put in place without significantly increasing the costs of the parts involved in the invention.