Electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump and manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump and a manufacturing method, the flexible fiber pump comprises a flexible pump body, a three-dimensional electrode module and an external voltage driving control unit, the flexible pump body is made of a thermoplastic plastic material, and the whole flexible pump body is of a hollow tubular structure; the three-dimensional electrode module comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene film and electrodes, and the electrodes comprise a positive electrode and a negative electrode; the polytetrafluoroethylene film is fused with the inner surface of the flexible pump body, the external voltage driving control unit is electrically connected with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the manufacturing method mainly comprises the steps of electrode printing, electrode winding and thermoplastic forming. Compared with the prior art, the electrode has the advantages that a planar electrode structure is converted into a three-dimensional structure through winding, so that the integration of the electrode is enhanced, and the application range of the three-dimensional electrode design is widened; and the shapes of the three-dimensional electrode module and the flexible pump body are fixed while heating, so that the electrode can adapt to the change of the shape of the pump, and the flexible deformation capability of the pump is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible pump, and more particularly to a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the development of modern technology, fluid control systems have gradually become an indispensable part of various application fields. Especially in the fields of medicine, robotics, and precision control systems, lightweight, efficient, and customizable pump systems are increasingly being emphasized. Although traditional rigid pumps can provide stable fluid transportation, due to problems such as large volume, high noise, and lack of flexibility, they can no longer meet some application scenarios with high requirements for system integration and adaptability. For example, in soft robots and microfluidic control systems, how to achieve efficient and precise fluid transportation in a narrow space has become a technical development problem. Therefore, exploring lightweight and flexible pump systems has become a research hotspot.

[0003] Currently, the research on flexible pumps mainly focuses on two types of technologies: mechanically structured pumps and non-mechanically structured pumps. Mechanically structured pumps usually rely on external excitation to achieve the deformation of the chamber and drive the fluid physically. Although their performance is relatively stable, their structures are complex and often lack sufficient flexibility, making it difficult to meet the requirements of dynamic systems. In contrast, non-mechanically structured pumps, such as electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps, achieve flow control by directly applying an electric field or other driving forces in the fluid medium. Such pump systems exhibit high integration and flexibility in certain applications, but the main challenges they face are complex electrode designs, difficult structure adjustment, and especially limited pump efficiency during high-voltage and high-frequency operations.

[0004] After retrieval, Patent Application Publication No. CN106130310A discloses a cylindrical electrohydrodynamic micro-pump and its manufacturing method, specifically disclosing: including a cylindrical pump housing and an electrode array disposed therein; the electrode array includes a cathode and an anode spaced apart from each other; the electrode array is rolled into an elastic cylindrical structure and closely adheres to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pump housing; the electrode array obtains axial and radial fixation through the frictional force between it and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pump housing; in this cylindrical electrohydrodynamic micro-pump, by rolling a flat flexible circuit board into a cylindrical shape and placing it inside the cylindrical pump housing, since the electrode sheet is made of elastic metal material, using its elastic force, the flat flexible circuit board with the electrode array is completely attached to the inner wall of the pump housing. However, the shape of the pump in this prior art is relatively fixed, with poor flexibility, and is limited to the design application of only one type of electrode structure.

[0005] In summary, how to design a flexible fiber pump with a simple structure and high customization flexibility is a technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics and a manufacturing method thereof, so as to overcome the defects of complex structure or low design flexibility existing in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0007] The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics, including a flexible pump body, a three-dimensional electrode module, and an external voltage drive control unit. The flexible pump body is made of thermoplastic plastic and has an overall hollow tubular structure. The three-dimensional electrode module includes a polytetrafluoroethylene film and electrodes printed on the surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene film. The electrodes include a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The polytetrafluoroethylene film is fused with the inner surface of the flexible pump body. The external voltage drive control unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode. A dielectric liquid is passed through the flexible pump body. The dielectric liquid accepts electrons at the negative electrode and then moves to the positive electrode.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the polytetrafluoroethylene film is strip-shaped. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are respectively located on one side of the polytetrafluoroethylene film and extend in the same direction as the polytetrafluoroethylene film. The polytetrafluoroethylene film is spirally wound around the inner surface of the flexible pump body.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, copper strips are provided at both ends of the polytetrafluoroethylene film. The copper strips are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are interdigital electrodes, single-tip electrodes, or double-wire electrodes.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are adjacent strip-shaped structures. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are spirally attached to the inner surface of the flexible pump body in the same direction.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the flexible pump body is a heat shrinkable tube.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method applied to a flexible fiber pump. The manufacturing is carried out by using a central rod, and specifically includes the following steps:

[0015] Step S1: Wind a polytetrafluoroethylene film printed with a positive electrode and a negative electrode around the outer surface of the central rod.

[0016] Step S2: Intermittently sleeved with a flexible pump body outside the polytetrafluoroethylene film.

[0017] Step S3: Heat the flexible pump body. The flexible pump body shrinks, and the polytetrafluoroethylene film is fused with the flexible pump body.

[0018] Step S4: Take out the central rod and connect the external voltage drive control unit to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution, in step S1, the printing of the positive electrode and the negative electrode specifically includes the following steps:

[0020] Step S101: Use printed electronic materials to print the positive electrode and the negative electrode on the polytetrafluoroethylene film by screen printing.

[0021] Step S102: Heat the polytetrafluoroethylene film printed with the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0022] Step S103: Cut the polytetrafluoroethylene film into strip shapes, and each strip-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene film has a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0023] Step S104: Paste copper strips at both ends of the strip-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene film.

[0024] As a preferred technical solution, the printed electronic material is conductive ink or copper paste.

[0025] As a preferred technical solution, in step S1, the polytetrafluoroethylene film is spirally wound around the outer surface of the central rod, and the pitch is greater than or equal to the width of the polytetrafluoroethylene film; the length of the flexible pump body is greater than or equal to the length of the polytetrafluoroethylene film wound around the central rod.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1) The present invention makes the electrodes by means of planar printing, which provides the possibility for the flexible structural design of the electrodes inside the pump. Then, the planar electrode structure is transformed into a three-dimensional structure by winding, enhancing the integration of the electrodes and broadening the application scope of the three-dimensional electrode design. This not only provides the potential for exploring more efficient electrode forms but also endows the unique ability to control the fluid flow direction in the pump. By heating to fix the three-dimensional electrode module and the shape of the flexible pump body simultaneously, the electrodes can adapt to the shape change of the pump, thereby improving the flexible deformation ability of the pump. Using thermoplastic forming technology, pump bodies with different sizes and cross-sectional shapes can be customized, which is of great significance in practical applications. For example, when the present invention is applied to a cooling system and contacts the object to be cooled, its cross-sectional shape and the ability to customize deformation can better contact the object to be cooled, increasing the heat dissipation area and improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0028] 2) The flexible pump body of the present invention can be adjusted to different structures through repeated thermoplastic forming, and can achieve pre-bending and shaping in practical applications. This pre-bending can avoid problems such as indentation that may occur during small-radius bending, as well as problems such as fluid interruption or electrical failure caused by the folding of the pump body; Thermoplastic forming can be operated repeatedly for many times, significantly improving the adaptability of the pump, increasing the variety of flexible fiber pumps, and being able to meet the diverse requirements for dynamic needs in modern applications;

[0029] 3) The polytetrafluoroethylene film and thermoplastic selected in the present invention can achieve high-degree fusion, ensuring the firm fixation of the three-dimensional electrode module and the flexible pump body; The electrodes are selected from interdigital electrodes, single-tip electrodes or double-wire electrodes, and have different effects on the flow rate of the internal dielectric liquid and the output pressure of the flexible fiber pump when connecting different voltages, and can be selected according to requirements;

[0030] 4) After printing the positive electrode and negative electrode on the polytetrafluoroethylene film of the present invention and then heating, the adhesion between the printed electronic material and the polytetrafluoroethylene film can be enhanced; Copper strips are pasted at both ends of the strip-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene film to facilitate circuit connection; The pitch of the spiral winding of the polytetrafluoroethylene film is greater than or equal to the width of the polytetrafluoroethylene film, which can ensure the tight butt joint of the strip edges, avoid overlap, and prevent deviation during electrode winding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the first overall structure of a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the second overall structure of a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics according to the present invention with a circular cross-section;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics according to the present invention with a rectangular cross-section;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics according to the present invention when the cross-sectional diameter changes;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the polytetrafluoroethylene film printed with the positive electrode and negative electrode according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the polytetrafluoroethylene film cut into strips according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8Schematic diagram of the strip-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene film of the present invention wound around the central rod and sleeved with a flexible pump body at intervals;

[0039] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the process of heating the flexible pump body of the present invention to shrink;

[0040] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 9 Partial schematic diagram;

[0041] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the structure of the interdigital electrode of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 12 First schematic diagram of the interdigital electrode adopted by the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 13 Second schematic diagram of the interdigital electrode adopted by the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the structure of the single-tip electrode of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the structure of the single-tip electrode adopted by the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of the structure of the double-wire electrode of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the structure of the double-wire electrode adopted by the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 18 Schematic diagram of the working state of the interdigital electrode adopted by the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 19 Schematic diagram of the output pressure of the flexible fiber pump of the present invention when using electrodes of different shapes;

[0050] Figure 20 Simulation diagram of the flow rate of the dielectric liquid in the flexible fiber pump of the present invention when using electrodes of different shapes;

[0051] Figure 21 Flow chart of the manufacturing method of the flexible fiber pump of the present invention;

[0052] Indicated by the reference numerals in the figure:

[0053] 1. Polytetrafluoroethylene film, 2. Electrode, 3. Central rod, 4. Flexible pump body. Detailed implementation mode

[0054] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] Embodiment 1

[0056] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the present invention provides a deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics, including a flexible pump body 4, a three-dimensional electrode module, and an external voltage drive control unit.

[0057] The flexible pump body 4 is made of thermoplastic material and is hollow tubular. It is processed by customized molding technology to ensure that the flexible pump body 4 has good adaptability and adjustability, so as to be designed into different shapes according to requirements, such as Figures 3 - 5 shown. The flexible pump body 4 can be an optional PE heat shrinkable tube, which has a shrinkable property and can shrink to half of its original size after heating.

[0058] As Figure 7 shown, the three-dimensional electrode module includes a polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 and electrodes 2 printed on the surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1. The polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 is strip-shaped. The electrodes 2 include a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 is fused with the inner surface of the flexible pump body 4, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are completely attached to the flexible pump body 4. Copper strips are provided at both ends of the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1, and the copper strips are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrodes 2 can be selected from interdigital electrodes, single-tip electrodes or double-line electrodes. As Figures 11 - 17 shown, when different types of electrodes 2 are used, the output pressure of the flexible fiber pump and the flow rate of the dielectric liquid in the flexible fiber pump are different. As Figure 19 and Figure 20 shown, it can be selected according to actual needs.

[0059] The external voltage drive control unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, provides voltage for the flexible fiber pump, and realizes precise control of the operation of the electrodes 2, thereby driving the flow of fluid in the pump body.

[0060] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: When the flexible fiber pump is filled with dielectric liquid and the electrodes 2 are connected to a high voltage, the liquid molecules in the pump are ionized by accepting electrons at the negative electrode. These charged particles not only move towards the positive electrode, but also drive other liquid molecules to flow together, thus forming a directional liquid flow towards the positive electrode.

[0061] As Figure 18As shown, the flexible fiber pump provided in this embodiment can be flexibly customized according to the working environment and has high pumping efficiency. Its driving method is as follows: Connect the flexible fiber pump to the pipeline and fill the pipeline with dielectric liquid; Connect the electrode 2 of the flexible fiber pump to a high voltage above 4 kV to achieve the pumping effect. With different working conditions, electrode design can be carried out to obtain different driving directions and driving effects; By changing the cross-section and size of the central rod 3, the customization of the pump cross-section shape can be achieved, and the overall deformation can also be realized by the method of shaping after overall heating.

[0062] Embodiment 2

[0063] As Figure 21 shown, the present invention provides a manufacturing method applied to the flexible fiber pump of Embodiment 1. The manufacturing process mainly includes three steps: electrode printing, electrode winding, and thermoplastic forming.

[0064] In the electrode printing part, first select a 1.5-mm-thick polytetrafluoroethylene film 1. The film is cut into appropriate sizes and screen-printed with printed electronic materials, which are conductive ink or copper paste, as Figure 6 shown. The purpose of printing is to enhance the durability and service life of the electrode 2. After printing, the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 is heated at 85 °C for 30 minutes to enhance the adhesion between the printed electronic material and the film. After heating, the film is cut into 5-mm-wide strips, and copper strips are pasted at both ends of the strips for subsequent circuit connection.

[0065] As Figure 8 shown, when entering the electrode winding part, first select a flexible pump body 4 with a diameter of 3 mm. The flexible pump body 4 can be made of PE heat-shrinkable tube, which has a shrinkable property and can shrink to half of its original size after heating, so as to achieve the required inner diameter. According to the width of the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 strip and the diameter of the central rod 3, determine an appropriate winding guide angle. The width of the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 strip is 5 mm, and the positive and negative electrodes are printed on it. The strip is wound around the metal central rod 3 with a diameter of 2 mm in a spiral manner. The starting end of the strip is fixed with tape to ensure that the edges of the strip are closely butted, avoid overlapping, and prevent deviation during the winding of the electrode 2. The winding process forms a guiding angle of about 30° and a pitch of about 5.7 mm, and finally there are about 175 turns per meter, forming an interleaved electrode structure, and these electrodes 2 closely surround the periphery of the pump body. After the winding of the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 is completed, it is covered with a 80-mm-long flexible pump body 4 to ensure that the length of the flexible pump body 4 is greater than the length of the wound electrode 2 part, forming a pre-built structure for subsequent thermoplastic forming.

[0066] As Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown in the figure, in the thermoplastic forming section, due to the small size of the pump body, a hot air gun can be used for heating, and the temperature is set between 90°C and 100°C. When using the hot air gun, move the gun head slowly to ensure uniform shrinkage of the pipe. As the heating process progresses, the polytetrafluoroethylene film 1 begins to melt and firmly adheres to the inner wall of the flexible pump body 4, thus forming the preliminary structure of the flexible fiber pump. This process ensures the shaping of the pump body and at the same time ensures a good combination of the electrode 2 and the fluid channel. After cooling, the central rod 3 can be removed to obtain a deformable flexible fiber pump that can achieve the pumping function.

[0067] A deformable flexible fiber pump driven by electrohydrodynamics and a manufacturing method provided by the present invention aim to solve the deficiencies of existing electrohydrodynamic pumps in flexibility and adaptability. Through the customized design of the electrode configuration and the pump form, the function of the pump can be optimized so that it can maintain excellent performance in a complex dynamic environment. Compared with traditional pumps, the present invention has a higher integration degree, stronger adaptability, and can be reshaped and customized multiple times according to actual needs, having important application potential.

[0068] The present invention can be applied to the separator for liquid purification to improve the hydrodynamic situation and increase the separation efficiency.

[0069] As described above, the above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump, characterized in that: The invention comprises a flexible pump body (4), a three-dimensional electrode module and an external voltage drive control unit, wherein the flexible pump body (4) is made of thermoplastic plastic material and is an overall hollow tubular structure; the three-dimensional electrode module comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) and an electrode (2) printed on the surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1), wherein the electrode (2) comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode; the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) is fused with the inner surface of the flexible pump body (4), and the external voltage drive control unit is electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a dielectric liquid passes through the interior of the flexible pump body (4), and the dielectric liquid receives electrons at the negative electrode and then moves to the positive electrode.

2. The electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) is in strip shape; the positive electrode and the negative electrode are respectively located on one side of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) and extend in the same direction as the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1); the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) is spirally wound on the inner surface of the flexible pump body (4).

3. The electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: Copper strips are provided at both ends of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1), and the copper strips are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

4. The electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode and the negative electrode are interdigitated electrodes, single-pointed electrodes or double-wire electrodes.

5. The electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode and the negative electrode are adjacent strip structures, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are spirally attached to the inner surface of the flexible pump body (4) in the same direction.

6. The electrofluid-driven deformable flexible fiber pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible pump body (4) is a heat shrink tube.

7. A method for manufacturing a flexible fiber pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The manufacturing process is carried out using a central rod (3), and specifically comprises the following steps: Step S1, winding a polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) printed with a positive electrode and a negative electrode on the outer surface of a central rod (3); Step S2, sleeve-mounting a flexible pump body (4) on the outside of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1); Step S3, heating the flexible pump body (4), causing the flexible pump body (4) to shrink, and the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) to fuse with the flexible pump body (4); Step S4, taking out the central rod (3), and connecting the external voltage drive control unit to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S1, the printing of the positive electrode and the negative electrode specifically includes the following steps: Step S101, printing a positive electrode and a negative electrode on a polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) by screen printing using printed electronic materials; Step S102, heating the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) printed with the positive electrode and the negative electrode; Step S103, cutting the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) into strips, each strip of polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) having a positive electrode and a negative electrode; Step S104, pasting copper tapes on both ends of the strip-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene film (1).

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The printed electronic material is conductive ink or copper paste.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S1, the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) is spirally wound on the outer surface of the central rod (3), and the pitch is greater than or equal to the width of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1); the length of the flexible pump body (4) is greater than or equal to the length of the polytetrafluoroethylene film (1) wound on the central rod (3).

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