Valve Clutch Coupling for Valve Switching Without Piston Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing units for liquid drugs face challenges in efficiently coupling the drive mechanism with the valve and piston, leading to potential dosing errors and requiring high reliability, small dimensions, and cost-efficiency, especially since they are disposable.
Innovation Solution
A valve clutch device with a central member, coupling pins, and a sleeve member that allows reversible engagement and frictional interaction, enabling torque transmission and valve switching without piston displacement, and is designed for use in ambulatory infusion devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for both valve switching and piston displacement, then device complexity is reduced, but the coupling mechanism becomes particularly critical and difficult to design
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a central member for receiving drive torque, a valve member for valve switching, a coupling member with coupling pins for engagement, and a sleeve member for rotational coupling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall design of the single actuator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism employs dynamic engagement and disengagement of coupling pins with engagement surfaces. The frictional engagement between the central member and coupling pins allows for reversible coupling, enabling the system to switch between valve control and piston drive modes dynamically without mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If valve switching is performed at any piston position by reversing driving direction, then operational flexibility is improved, but dosing errors may occur if piston displacement occurs during valve switching
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the valve member. During valve switching, the coupling pins engage with the engagement surfaces on the valve member, mediating the torque transmission while preventing unwanted piston displacement. This ensures that valve switching occurs without affecting piston position, maintaining dosing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic engagement and disengagement of the coupling mechanism allows the system to selectively couple the actuator to either the valve member or the piston. When switching valves, the coupling pins engage with the valve member's engagement surfaces, creating a dynamic connection that enables valve rotation while preventing piston movement, thus avoiding dosing errors.
3Reliability
If high reliability is required for the coupling mechanism, then component quality must be high, but this increases manufacturing cost for disposable products
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed as a disposable component integrated into the dosing unit. Rather than using high-cost, high-reliability components, the design employs simple frictional engagement between the central member and coupling pins, along with basic engagement surfaces. This approach achieves sufficient reliability for single-use applications while keeping manufacturing costs low, aligning with the disposable nature of the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism utilizes self-aligning frictional engagement between the central member and coupling pins. The frictional force automatically ensures proper engagement and torque transmission without requiring additional high-precision components or complex assembly procedures. This self-service mechanism achieves reliable operation through simple, low-cost design elements suitable for disposable products.
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 valve clutch device ensures reliable and efficient valve switching at any piston position, minimizing dosing errors, while maintaining small dimensions and cost-effectiveness, suitable for disposable applications.
Implementation Method 1
The frictional engagement of the at least one coupling pin and the central member is changeable between a sliding frictional engagement and a sticking frictional engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A valve clutch that has a central member extending along a central axis and includes a drive coupler that receives a driving torque. A coupling member is provided that includes coupling pins extending parallel to the central axis. A valve is rotatably disposed around the central axis between inlet and outlet positions. A sleeve is configured to rotationally engage the valve, the sleeve including at least one clamping member. The valve clutch is reversibly changeable between (1) an unengaged configuration wherein a driving torque received by the central member is not transmitted to the sleeve member, and (2) an engaged configuration wherein the at least one coupling pin is clamped between the central member and the at least one clamping member, thereby transmitting the driving torque that is received by the central member via the sleeve member to the valve member.