Tube Pump Valve Timing for Fixed-Volume Low-Pulsation Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tube pumps generate pulsation in liquid flow due to intermittent compression, which is not optimized for intermittent ejection of a fixed amount of liquid, particularly in life science applications.
Innovation Solution
A tube pump system with a flexible tube, a pipe, a reduced diameter part, and a selector valve, controlled by a unit to synchronize delivering and blocking states, ensuring constant static pressure for intermittent ejection of a fixed amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tube pump intermittently compresses a flexible tube to deliver liquid, then liquid delivery is achieved, but pulsation is generated in the liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by closing the selector valve before the tube pump stops delivering liquid. This anticipatory closure prevents liquid from being drawn back toward the pump when the tube expands after compression release, thereby suppressing pulsation while maintaining continuous forward flow pressure
2Productivity
If the tube pump operates continuously to maintain flow, then liquid delivery is maintained, but intermittent ejection of fixed amount cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: continuous delivery mode where the selector valve remains open for uninterrupted liquid flow, and intermittent ejection mode where the selector valve synchronizes opening/closing with the tube pump's compression cycles to eject fixed amounts. This dynamic adaptability allows the same system to serve both continuous and intermittent application requirements
3Quantity of substance
If the selector valve closes timing is delayed, then liquid ejection amount increases, but static pressure constancy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the tube pump's compression cycle timing and the selector valve's position. Based on this feedback, the control unit precisely determines the optimal closing timing that balances ejection volume requirements with static pressure stability, adjusting the valve operation to achieve the desired compromise between these two parameters
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 system enables intermittent ejection of a fixed amount of liquid with synchronized control, maintaining constant static pressure and reducing pulsation, suitable for life science applications.
Implementation Method 1
Since the liquid flow resistance at the reduced diameter part 400 is largest in the flow channel, a liquid flowing through the flow channel from one end of the pipe 200 to the reduced diameter part 400 is in a state where the dynamic pressure is lower and the static pressure is higher
Implementation Method 2
a tube pump configured to deliver a liquid in a tube formed of a flexible material by intermittently pinching the tube
Implementation Method 3
a selector valve arranged at a second predetermined position between the one end and the other end of the pipe and configured to perform switching between a flowing state where a liquid passes through the second predetermined position and a blocking state where a liquid flow is blocked at the second predetermined position
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a tube pump system including: a tube pump; a pipe including a flow channel causing a liquid delivered from a tube to flow formed therein; an orifice arranged at a first predetermined position; a selector valve arranged at a second predetermined position; and a control unit. The control unit controls the tube pump and the selector valve to synchronize a delivering timing to switch the tube pump from the stop state to the delivering state and a flowing timing to switch the selector valve from the blocking state to the flowing state and synchronize a stop timing to switch the tube pump from the delivering state to the stop state and a blocking timing to switch the selector valve from the flowing state to the blocking state.