Tube Pump Rotor Design for Compact Peristaltic Fluid Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tube pumps face challenges in downsizing due to the need for a large space between the roller and the cap's inner surface to prevent tube dropping, leading to increased size and potential damage from torque, as well as difficulties in assembling the drive unit and fixing the tube, resulting in inefficient operation and tube fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A compact tube pump design featuring a joint shaft with a non-circular positioning shaft and engagement shaft, allowing easy coupling of the drive unit to the rotor without increasing the pump's size, and a tube press member to prevent tube dropping, reducing frictional forces on the tube, and a tube fixing member that securely holds the tube without causing shearing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large space is provided between the roller and the cap's inner surface to prevent tube dropping, then the tube is prevented from dropping off the roller, but the pump size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a projection extending in the axial direction of the roller to prevent tube dropping, rather than increasing the radial space between the roller and cap. This dimensional change allows tube securing without increasing the pump's overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection is provided in advance on the roller or cap structure to prevent tube dropping before it occurs during operation, eliminating the need for additional space or corrective measures.
2Reliability
If a large-diameter roller is used to reduce frictional forces on the tube, then the tube experiences less friction and fatigue, but the pump size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows for a large-diameter roller design by compensating for the reduced radial space through the projection mechanism that prevents tube dropping. This enables the roller to maintain a large diameter for reduced friction without requiring additional pump volume.
3Power
If the drive unit and rotor are tightly coupled to transmit high torque, then power transmission efficiency increases, but assembly difficulty increases due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric positioning structures (such as eccentric positioning holes or keyed connections) that provide precise angular positioning for high torque transmission while maintaining ease of assembly through obvious alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning structure is designed to self-align during assembly, where the asymmetric features automatically guide the drive unit and rotor into the correct relative position without requiring complex alignment procedures.
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 enables a compact tube pump with a large-diameter roller, easy assembly, and improved tube longevity by preventing tube pulling and damage, while maintaining efficient fluid transport through peristaltic motion.
Implementation Method 1
a tube pump configured to move a roller pressing a tube along the tube and thereby to transport liquid in the tube by a peristaltic motion of the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A tube pump comprises a rotor configured to have a roller and to hold the roller to be able to make an orbital motion along the inner circumferential surface of the cap. The rotor includes a disk part which holds the roller on a base side, and a tube press member that engages with the disk part so that the tube does not move to the base side with respect to the disk part, seals a gap formed with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the cap, and is capable of rotating along an outer circumferential part of the disk part is provided at the outer circumferential part of the disk part.