Tube Pump Roller Groove Structure to Keep Tubes Out of Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube pumps face issues with deformation of flexible tubes, leading to improper positioning and potential finger entrapment or difficulty in replacement, especially when the tube is partially twisted.
Innovation Solution
A tube pump design featuring a pair of roller units with gears and a protruding part, where the gears engage to prevent deformation and ensure proper positioning, and a cover member to prevent finger entrapment, along with control modes for safe tube replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tube is inserted from the opening area toward the inner circumferential face of the accommodation unit, then the operator can easily replace the tube, but the tube may be arranged in the gear area instead of the tube area when deformed
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the opening area and the tube area. This guide structure physically directs the tube during insertion, ensuring it reaches the correct tube area even when deformed, while still allowing easy access for replacement. The guide acts as a mediator that reconciles the ease of insertion with proper positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation unit is pre-configured with guiding features and designated areas (tube area vs. gear area) before tube insertion. The guide structure is already in place to preemptively direct the tube to the correct position, preventing misplacement before it occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures proper positioning without requiring complex post-insertion adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tube is deformed such as partially twisted, then the tube may be arranged in the gear area instead of the tube area, but removing and restoring the tube requires additional work
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure serves as a mediator that accommodates deformed tubes during insertion. It physically channels the tube along the correct path, allowing the tube to be inserted even when twisted or deformed, while the guide ensures it reaches the proper tube area. This intermediary structure absorbs the deformation issue without requiring complex restoration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure provides preliminary anti-action against misplacement caused by tube deformation. By pre-establishing the correct insertion path and positioning features, it prevents deformed tubes from being incorrectly placed in the gear area in the first place, thereby eliminating the need for removal and restoration work.
3Measurement precision
If both the first roller unit and the second roller unit rotate about an axis independently, then the positioning accuracy of the roller units is improved, but the operator's finger may be caught between the roller units
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the operator's hand and the rotating roller units. This cover member allows the roller units to maintain their independent rotation and positioning accuracy while physically preventing finger entrapment. The cover acts as a mediator that preserves the functional benefits while eliminating the safety hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation unit is segmented into distinct functional areas: a tube insertion area with an opening for easy access, a tube area for proper tube positioning, and a gear area separated by the cover member. This segmentation allows the roller units to rotate independently for positioning accuracy while the cover creates a safety barrier in the hazardous zone, preventing finger entrapment.
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 effectively prevents tube deformation, ensures safe operation by preventing finger entrapment, and facilitates easy tube replacement, even when the tube is partially twisted.
Implementation Method 1
gears that engage with the inner circumferential face of the accommodation unit and the outer circumferential face of the pair of roller units
Implementation Method 2
a pair of roller units configured to rotate about an axis while being in contact with a flexible tube
Implementation Method 3
a tube pump that intermittently collapses a flexible tube by a plurality of rollers to press-feed a liquid out of the tube
Implementation Method 4
a protruding area in which a protruding part is formed about the axis between the second gear area and the second tube area in the axis direction, the pair of roller units is configured to rotate about the axis with the protruding part being accommodated in the groove
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a tube pump including: an accommodation unit accommodating a pair of roller units and having a tube arranged therein; and a pair of drive units that rotate the pair of roller units, respectively. The outer circumferential face of a roller has a first gear area provided with a first gear, a first tube area contacted with the tube, and a groove area with a groove formed about the roller axis. The inner circumferential face of the accommodation unit has a second gear area provided with a second gear, a second tube area that pinches and closes the tube, and a protruding area with a protruding part formed about the axis. The pair of roller units rotate about the axis with the protruding part accommodated in the groove. The tip of the protruding part is arranged at a position more projecting toward the axis than the second gear.