阅读说明：本技术 包括具有保持突出物的拉出器的隔膜组件 (Septum assembly including puller with retention tab ) 是由 约瑟夫·瓦奇 卡尔派什·帕特尔 于 2018-12-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种隔膜组件包括柔性隔膜以及拉出器。柔性隔膜具有正面、相反的背面、穿过隔膜形成的顶部开口、和底部开口。拉出器具有隔膜端、凸轮端、在隔膜端与凸轮端之间沿着拉出器纵向轴线延伸的拉出器主体以及相对于拉出器纵向轴线从拉出器主体沿横向延伸的第一保持突出物。拉出器主体布置成穿过顶部开口,使得隔膜布置在隔膜端与第一保持突出物之间,并且使得隔膜端布置在所述正面附近,且第一保持突出物布置在背面附近。本文提供了一种隔膜组件的组装方法。(A diaphragm assembly includes a flexible diaphragm and a puller. The flexible membrane has a front side, an opposing back side, a top opening formed through the membrane, and a bottom opening. The puller has a diaphragm end, a cam end, a puller body extending along a puller longitudinal axis between the diaphragm end and the cam end, and a first retaining tab extending transversely from the puller body relative to the puller longitudinal axis. The puller body is arranged through the top opening such that the diaphragm is arranged between the diaphragm end and the first retention tab, and such that the diaphragm end is arranged adjacent the front face and the first retention tab is arranged adjacent the back face. A method of assembling a diaphragm assembly is provided herein.)

1. A diaphragm assembly comprising:

a flexible diaphragm having a front side, an opposing back side, a top opening formed through the diaphragm, and a bottom opening; and

a puller having a diaphragm end, a camming end, a puller body extending along a puller longitudinal axis between the diaphragm end and the camming end, and a first retention tab extending transversely from the puller body relative to the puller longitudinal axis, the puller body being disposed through the top opening such that the diaphragm is disposed between the diaphragm end and the first retention tab and such that the diaphragm end is disposed adjacent the front face and the first retention tab is disposed adjacent the back face.

2. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover having a cover central opening disposed adjacent and concentrically with the top opening at the back face, the puller body disposed through the cover central opening.

3. The diaphragm assembly of claim 2, wherein the first retention tab includes a cap engagement surface facing the diaphragm end, the cap engagement surface engaging the cap such that the cap is disposed between the cap engagement surface and the back face.

4. The diaphragm assembly of claim 2, wherein the stiffness of the cover is greater than the stiffness of the diaphragm.

5. The diaphragm assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap is flexible.

6. The diaphragm assembly of claim 2, wherein the puller is snap-fit through the top opening such that the first retention tab engages the cover.

7. The diaphragm assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a cover ring concentrically disposed about the cap such that the cap is disposed between the cover ring and the first retention tab.

8. The septum assembly of claim 2, wherein the puller further comprises a second retention tab extending laterally from the puller body and opposite the first retention tab relative to the puller longitudinal axis.

9. The diaphragm assembly of claim 8, wherein the puller is snap-fit through the diaphragm such that the second retention tab engages the cover.

10. The diaphragm assembly of claim 8, wherein the diaphragm is compressed between the first retention tab and the diaphragm end.

11. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retaining tab has a tapered surface that is laterally further from the puller longitudinal axis in a direction from the cam end toward the diaphragm end.

12. The septum assembly of claim 1, wherein the puller further comprises a second retention tab extending laterally from the puller body and opposite the first retention tab relative to the puller longitudinal axis.

13. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retention tab and the puller body are integrally formed from a single continuous piece of material.

14. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cam rotatably attached proximate the cam end of the puller.

15. A method of assembling a diaphragm assembly, the method comprising:

providing a flexible membrane having a front side, an opposing back side, a top opening formed through the membrane, and a bottom opening; and

providing a puller having a diaphragm end, a cam end, a puller body extending along a puller longitudinal axis between the diaphragm end and the cam end, and a first retention tab extending transversely from the puller body relative to the puller longitudinal axis, and

inserting the cam end through the top opening from the front face until the first retention tab is disposed at the back face.

16. The assembly method of claim 15, further comprising:

compressing the diaphragm between the first retention tab and the diaphragm end.

17. The assembly method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing a cover having a cover central opening disposed adjacent and concentrically with the top opening at the back side.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the cam end further comprises: inserting the cam end through the cap central opening until the first retention tab engages the cap such that the cap and the diaphragm are disposed between the diaphragm end and the first retention tab.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

attaching a cover ring concentrically arranged around the cover such that the cover is arranged between the cover ring and the first retaining protrusion.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the cover ring is overmolded onto the cover.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to improved components of pumping systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved diaphragm assembly for a pumping system.

Background

Some pumping systems, such as breast pumps and wound therapy pumps, have a vacuum generating assembly located within a vacuum chamber of the pumping system. To meet product life requirements, such systems may include complex connections between components, which also increases the cost of the device. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an example of a known assembly of a diaphragm assembly 10 for a pump system may include a diaphragm 12 overmolded on a puller 14, and a flexible cover 16, the flexible cover 16 together with a retaining rod or spring pin 18 supporting rearward movement of the diaphragm 12. A retaining rod or spring pin 18 is disposed through a hole 20 of the puller 14. Certain components of such a system are shown, for example, in fig. 9 of U.S. patent 6,997,897, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The septum 12 includes a front side 22 and a back side 24. The septum assembly 10 holds all of the actuating components for actuating the septum assembly 10, such as the puller 14 and the cam 26, with the cam 26 operatively connected to the puller 14 on the back side 24 of the septum 12 so that none of the actuating components of the septum assembly 10 are visible along the front side 22 of the septum 12 after assembly. However, the overmolding process creates cost and manufacturing complexity, and requires additional components to manufacture and assemble such a diaphragm assembly 10.

In view of the above, there is a need in the art for an improved diaphragm assembly as compared to the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment, a diaphragm assembly is provided. The diaphragm assembly includes a flexible diaphragm and a puller. The flexible membrane has a front side, an opposing back side, a top opening formed through the membrane, and a bottom opening. The puller has a diaphragm end, a cam end,

A puller body extending along a puller longitudinal axis between the diaphragm end and the cam end and a first retaining tab extending transversely from the puller body relative to the puller longitudinal axis. The puller body is disposed through the top opening such that the diaphragm is disposed between the diaphragm end and the first retention tab, and such that the diaphragm end is disposed adjacent the front face and the first retention tab is disposed adjacent the back face.

According to various embodiments, the diaphragm assembly may further comprise a cover having a cover central opening disposed adjacent and concentric with the top opening at the back face. The puller body may be disposed through the cover central opening. The first retention tab may include a cap engagement surface facing the diaphragm end. The cap engagement surface may engage with the cap such that the cap is disposed between the cap engagement surface and the back side of the septum. The stiffness of the cap may be greater than the stiffness of the diaphragm. The cover may be flexible. The diaphragm may be compressed between the first retention tab and the diaphragm end. The puller can be snap-fit through the top opening of the diaphragm such that the first retention tab engages the cover. The septum assembly may further include a cover ring concentrically disposed about the cap such that the cap is disposed between the cover ring and the first retention tab of the puller. The puller can further include a second retention tab extending transversely from the puller body and opposite the first retention tab relative to the puller longitudinal axis. The puller can be snap-fit through the diaphragm such that the second retention tab engages the cover. The first retention tab may have a tapered surface that is laterally further from the puller longitudinal axis in a direction from the cam end toward the diaphragm end. The puller can further include a second retention tab extending transversely from the puller body and opposite the first retention tab relative to the puller longitudinal axis. The first retention tab and the puller body may be integrally formed from a single continuous piece of material. The diaphragm assembly may further include a cam rotatably attached proximate the cam end of the puller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a diaphragm assembly is provided. The method includes providing a flexible membrane having a front side and an opposing back side. The flexible diaphragm also has a top opening formed through the diaphragm, and a bottom opening. The method also includes providing a puller. The puller has a diaphragm end, a cam end, and a puller body extending along a puller longitudinal axis between the diaphragm end and the cam end. The puller further has a first retaining tab extending transversely from the puller body relative to the puller longitudinal axis. The method also includes inserting the cam end through the top opening from the front side of the septum until a first retention tab of the puller is disposed at the back side of the septum.

According to various embodiments, the method of assembling may further comprise compressing the diaphragm between the first retention tab and the diaphragm end. The method of assembling may further include providing a cover having a cover central opening disposed adjacent and concentric with the top opening at the back face. Inserting the cam end may further include inserting the cam end through the cap central opening until the first retention tab engages the cap such that the cap and the diaphragm are disposed between the diaphragm end and the first retention tab. The assembly method may further include attaching a cover ring to be concentrically arranged around the cover such that the cover is arranged between the cover ring and the first retention tab. Overmolding the cover ring on the cover member.

The invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with reference to the following description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a prior art diaphragm assembly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the prior art diaphragm assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a diaphragm assembly according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the diaphragm of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the diaphragm shown along axis 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the diaphragm assembly shown along axis 12-12 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a diaphragm assembly having a pump system and a drive mechanism.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to refer to like elements.

Detailed Description

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be developed or utilized. While various functions have been set forth in the specification in connection with the illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as top and bottom, first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. Furthermore, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in different combinations with one another, and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinations described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the claims is not limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view of the diaphragm assembly 28 is shown, according to one aspect of the present invention. Fig. 4 to 8 are a bottom view, a left side view, a right side view, a front view, and a rear view of the diaphragm assembly 28, respectively. Fig. 9 and 10 are top and bottom views, respectively, of the diaphragm 30 of the diaphragm assembly 28. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the diaphragm 30 shown along axis 11-11 of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the diaphragm assembly 28 shown along axis 12-12 of FIG. 5. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the diaphragm assembly 28 of figure 12.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a diaphragm assembly 28 is provided. The diaphragm assembly 28 includes a flexible diaphragm 30 and a puller 32. The flexible diaphragm 30 has a front side 34, an opposite back side 36, a top opening 38 formed through the diaphragm 30, and a bottom opening 40. The puller 32 has a diaphragm end 42, a cam end 44, and a puller body 46, the puller body 46 extending along a puller longitudinal axis 48 between the diaphragm end 42 and the cam end 44. Importantly, the puller 32 includes a first retention tab 50 extending transversely from the puller body 46 relative to the puller longitudinal axis 48. The puller body 46 is disposed through the top opening 38 of the diaphragm 30, with the diaphragm 30 disposed between the diaphragm end 42 and the first retaining tab 50, the diaphragm end 42 disposed adjacent the front face 34 of the diaphragm 30, and the first retaining tab 50 disposed adjacent the back face 36 of the diaphragm 30. As will be discussed further below, the aforementioned diaphragm assembly 28 facilitates an improved design that may eliminate or reduce the cost and complexity of prior art designs, such as those shown in fig. 1 and 2, and reduce the number of components required to form a suitable diaphragm assembly.

According to various embodiments, the diaphragm assembly 28 may also include a cover 52 having a cover central opening 54 (as best shown in fig. 13) disposed adjacent and concentrically with the top opening 38 at the back face 36. The puller body 46 is disposed through the cover central opening 54. The first retention tab 50 may include a cap engagement surface 58 (as best shown in fig. 13) facing the diaphragm end 42. The cover engagement surface 56 of the puller 32 is engageable with the cover 52, wherein the cover 52 is disposed between the cover engagement surface 56 and the back side 36 of the septum 30. The cap 52 may be more rigid than the diaphragm 30, but the cap 52 may be somewhat flexible. The puller 32 can be snap-fit through the top opening 38 and the cover 52 such that the first retention tab 50 engages the cover 52. With the above-described configuration, the diaphragm 30 may be compressed between the first retaining tab 50 and the diaphragm end 42. This compression serves to provide a vacuum seal between the cam end 44 of the puller 32 and the diaphragm 30. In this regard, one aspect of the present invention is that the puller 32 may be attached to the septum 30 in a sealing engagement while avoiding the septum 30 having to be overmolded onto any other component, such as a cap, thereby avoiding the cost and complexity associated therewith.

The cover 52 may also include an outward flange 58. The outward flange 58 is generally radially disposed and includes a circular rim. The diaphragm assembly 28 may also include a cover ring 60. The cover ring 60 includes an inwardly directed circular slot 62. A cover ring 60 may be attached to the cover 52 with the outward flange 58 disposed in an inward slot 62. The cover ring 60 is arranged concentrically around the cover 52, wherein the cover 52 is arranged between the cover ring 60 and the first retaining projection 50 of the puller 32. The cover ring 60 may be overmolded onto the cover 52 and may be formed from a material having a stiffness less than the stiffness of the cover 52. In this regard, the cover ring 60 may be more flexible and softer than the cover 52. The cover ring 60 may be disposed in contact with the back side 36 of the septum 30.

The cover ring 60 may be configured to contact the back side 36 of the septum 30. Such contact may be used to push the diaphragm 30 outward from the back side 36 toward the front side 34 to distribute the load on the diaphragm 30 and reduce wear at other locations near the diaphragm 30 (e.g., the contact location proximate the diaphragm end 42 of the puller 32 and the contact location proximate the first retention tab 50). The contact of the cover ring 60 may also provide a degree of sealing with the diaphragm 30. The cover ring 60 may also provide a degree of structure to support the cover 52 to maintain the structural shape of the cover 52 when the cover 52 is exposed to compressive forces as the septum 30 is compressed as it engages the septum end 42 of the puller 32.

The puller 32 can also include a second retaining tab 64, the second retaining tab 64 extending transversely from the puller body 46 and opposing the first retaining tab 50 relative to the puller longitudinal axis 48. The puller 32 can be snap-fit through the diaphragm 30 with the second retention tab 64 also engaging the cover 52. In this regard, it is contemplated that any number of additional retention tabs similar to or different from the first and second retention tabs 50, 64 may be present.

The first retention tab may have a tapered surface 66, the tapered surface 66 being laterally further from the puller longitudinal axis in a direction from the cam end 44 toward the diaphragm end 42. Such a tapered surface 66 is contemplated to facilitate sliding contact between the first retention tab 50 and the top opening 38 of the septum 50 when the puller 32 is inserted and the first retention tab 50 is passed through the top opening 38. However, instead of a smooth tapered surface 66, a more stepped surface may be used.

It is contemplated that other configurations of the first and second retention tabs 50, 64 may be implemented. In this regard, the terms first and second retention tabs 50 and 64 as used herein refer to structures extending or projecting laterally from the puller body 46 that are capable of participating in or interfering with a reaction force that acts in a direction opposite to the movement of the puller 30 in the direction from the cam end 44 toward the diaphragm end 42 along the puller longitudinal axis 48. This configuration also requires consideration of the fact that a certain degree of elastic deformation of the diaphragm 30 at the top opening 38 may be required when inserting the puller 32 through the top opening 38, particularly when the first and second retaining tabs 50 and 64 pass through the top opening 38.

The first retention tab, the second retention tab, and the puller body may be integrally formed from a single continuous piece of material. In this regard, the first and second retention tabs 50, 64 may be used to engage the puller 32 with the diaphragm 30 in sealing engagement without the use of additional separate attachment components such as retention rods, spring pins, or other fasteners. This alleviates the task of assembly and reduces the total number of parts of the overall diaphragm assembly 28.

It is contemplated that the materials and techniques used to manufacture the various components of the septum assembly 28 (e.g., septum 30, puller 32, cap 52, and cover ring 60) may be selected from those materials and techniques known to those skilled in the art, and may include, for example, injection molding and overmolding processes using various types of plastic and elastomeric materials, such as may be suitable for a particular intended application.

The diaphragm end 42 of the puller 32 may include an end flange 72, the end flange 72 having a depending annular surface 74 facing the cam end 44. The depending annular surface 74 may be disposed in contact with the diaphragm 30 near the top opening 38 at the front face 34. The overhanging annular surface 74 may include concentric ridges 76. In this regard, the diaphragm 30 may include an annular rib 78 extending from the front face 34 around the top opening 38. The concentric ridges 76 may be cooperatively sized and configured with the annular rib 78 and alternately interspersed to form a sealing engagement between the diaphragm end 42 of the puller 32 and the top opening 38 of the diaphragm 30. Annular rib 78 may be relatively thin and have a short profile so as to be crushable or easily deformable when exposed to a compressive force. In this way, a vacuum seal may be achieved against the interior of the diaphragm 30 to prevent any gas near between the front and back sides 34, 36 of the diaphragm 30 from passing through the top opening 38.

The diaphragm assembly 28 may also include a cam 68, the cam 68 being rotatably connected proximate the cam end 44 of the puller 32. It should be understood that the puller 32 is used to pull the diaphragm 30 repeatedly, as the name implies. This reciprocating motion may be achieved by rotation of the cam 68. The cam 68 may be constructed and attached to the puller 32 according to any of those techniques and materials known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to the schematic of fig. 14, it can be appreciated that diaphragm assembly 26 is suitable for use with a pump system 82. In this regard, it is further understood that the diaphragm 30 may be used to form a portion of a vacuum chamber. Further, a drive mechanism 80 for powering the reciprocating movement of the puller 32 is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a diaphragm assembly 28 is provided. The method includes providing a flexible diaphragm 30 having a front side 34 and an opposing back side 36, a top opening 38 formed through the diaphragm 30, and a bottom opening 40. The method further includes providing the puller 30, the puller 30 having a diaphragm end 42, a cam end 44, a puller body 46 extending along a puller longitudinal axis 48 between the diaphragm end 42 and the cam end 44, and a first retaining tab 50 extending transversely from the puller body 46 relative to the puller longitudinal axis 48. The method further includes inserting the cam end 44 from the front face 34 through the top opening 38 until the first retention tab 50 is disposed at the back face 36.

According to various embodiments, the method of assembling the septum assembly 28 may further comprise compressing the septum 30 between the first retention tab 50 and the septum end 42 of the puller 32. The method of assembling the diaphragm assembly 28 may also include providing a cap 52 having a cap central opening 54 disposed adjacent and concentric with the top opening 38 at the back face 36 of the diaphragm 30. The insertion of the cam end 44 may also include inserting the cam end 44 through the cap central opening 54 until the first retention tab 50 engages the cap 52, wherein the cap 52 and the diaphragm 30 are disposed between the diaphragm end 42 and the first retention tab 50 of the puller 32. It should be understood that insertion of the cam end 44 refers to relative movement of the puller 32 with respect to the diaphragm 30 and the cap 52. Thus, such insertion of the cam end 44 may include movement of the cap 52 around the cam end 44 and along the puller body 46 when the puller 52 is stationary.

The method of assembling the diaphragm assembly 28 may also include attaching a cover ring 60 to be concentrically disposed about the cap 52. The cap 52 is disposed between the cap ring 60 and the first retaining projection 50 of the puller 32. The cover ring 60 may be overmolded onto the cover 52. In this regard, the cap 52 in combination with the cap ring 60 may be attached to the puller 32.

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments set forth in the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the various features of the embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several features of the embodiments may be embodied in practice.