Disc Pump Valve Flap with Low-Mass Areas for High-Frequency Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves are unable to operate at high frequencies beyond 500 Hz, which is necessary for small, portable electronic devices that require high-frequency fluid management without being audible, as they lack responsiveness to high-frequency oscillating pressures.
Innovation Solution
A disc pump valve design featuring a valve flap with offset apertures and low-mass areas, which is motivated by differential pressure changes to efficiently control fluid flow at high frequencies, including the use of a piezoelectric actuator to generate oscillatory motion and radial pressure oscillations within the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional valves are used, then the device is simple and reliable, but the operating frequency is limited to below 500 Hz
Solution Approach 1:
The valve flap is segmented into multiple regions with different mass characteristics - a central region, an intermediate region with low-mass areas, and a peripheral region. This segmentation allows different portions of the flap to respond differently to pressure oscillations, enabling high-frequency operation while maintaining reliability through the distributed mass structure that reduces inertial resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve flap incorporates low-mass areas specifically in the intermediate region, creating local variations in mass distribution. This local quality modification reduces the effective mass that must be accelerated during high-frequency operation, improving responsiveness without compromising the overall structural integrity and sealing function of the valve.
2Volume of moving object
If the valve size is reduced for portable devices, then the device becomes more compact, but the valve mass decreases which improves high-frequency responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The valve flap incorporates low-mass areas specifically in the intermediate region, creating local variations in mass distribution. This local quality modification reduces the effective mass that must be accelerated during high-frequency operation, improving responsiveness without compromising the overall structural integrity and sealing function of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design transitions from a static, uniform mass structure to a dynamic structure with spatially varying mass properties. The low-mass areas in the intermediate region allow the valve to adapt its effective inertia during operation, optimizing performance for high-frequency applications while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for portable devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the valve operates at high frequencies beyond human hearing, then the device becomes inaudible, but the valve must respond to very rapid pressure oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The valve flap is segmented into multiple regions with different mass characteristics - a central region, an intermediate region with low-mass areas, and a peripheral region. This segmentation allows different portions of the flap to respond differently to pressure oscillations, enabling high-frequency operation while maintaining reliability through the distributed mass structure that reduces inertial resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design transitions from a static, uniform mass structure to a dynamic structure with spatially varying mass properties. The low-mass areas in the intermediate region allow the valve to adapt its effective inertia during operation, optimizing performance for high-frequency applications while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for portable devices.
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
Enables the disc pump valve to operate effectively at frequencies beyond human hearing, ensuring small size integration into portable devices while maintaining high responsiveness and fluid flow control, thus addressing the need for inaudible and efficient high-frequency fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator formed by the internal plates wherein one of the internal plates is operatively associated with a central portion of the other internal plate and adapted to cause an oscillatory motion at a frequency (f) thereby generating radial pressure oscillations of the fluid within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
The valve flap is motivated between the first plate and the second plate in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid outside the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A disc pump valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a disc pump includes a first plate having first plate apertures and a second plate having second plate apertures both extending generally perpendicular through the first plate and the second plate, respectively. The second plate apertures are substantially offset from the first plate apertures. The disc pump valve also includes a sidewall disposed between the first plate and second plate. A valve flap is disposed and moveable between the first plate and second plate. The valve flap includes flap apertures substantially offset from the first plate apertures and substantially aligned with the second plate apertures, and low-mass areas. The low-mass areas are offset from the first plate apertures and second plate apertures. The valve flap moves between the first plate and second plate in response to a change in direction of differential pressure of the fluid outside the valve.