Dual-Cavity Micropump with Flow-Converging Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micropump structures require stacking multiple units to increase fluid flow, leading to increased cost and bulkiness, which contradicts the trend of miniaturization in fields like medicine, energy, and printing.
Innovation Solution
A dual-cavity fluid conveying apparatus with mirror-symmetrically disposed cavity bodies and a flow-converging device, incorporating a valve membrane and actuating device to enhance fluid flow without the need for multiple units, utilizing a sub-channel and flow-converging channel for efficient fluid conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple micropump structures are stacked to increase fluid flow, then the fluid flow amount increases, but the device volume increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independent micropump cavities into a single integrated device with shared components. The first and second cavity bodies are positioned on opposite sides of a common flow-converging device, sharing the same outlet passage and control valve structures. This merging approach doubles the fluid flow capacity while avoiding the volume and cost penalties of stacking separate pump units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-cavity design to a dual-cavity configuration by utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions. The cavity bodies are disposed on first and second sides of the flow-converging device, effectively using the third dimension (depth/height) to accommodate additional pumping chambers without significantly increasing the device's footprint area.
2Productivity
If multiple micropump structures are stacked to increase fluid flow, then the fluid flow amount increases, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple pumping functions into a single manufactured unit with shared components including the flow-converging device, outlet passages, and valve structures. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts requiring manufacturing, assembly steps, and quality control operations compared to producing and assembling multiple separate micropump units.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-converging device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for both cavity bodies, provides flow convergence from multiple inlet channels, and houses the outlet passages. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the manufacturing process.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single micropump structure is used, then the device volume is small, but the fluid flow amount is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump body is segmented into two independent cavity bodies (first and second cavities) that can operate simultaneously. Each cavity has its own inlet valve structure and flow control mechanisms, allowing parallel fluid processing that doubles the effective flow capacity while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Two pumping cavities are merged into a single integrated device with shared outlet infrastructure. The first and second outlet passages converge into a common flow path, allowing the device to maintain small volume while achieving increased flow capacity through the combined output of both cavities.
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 dual-cavity design doubles fluid flow while maintaining a smaller volume, eliminating the need for multiple micropump stacking, thus reducing cost and size, and enabling precise and efficient fluid conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
Upon a voltage acting on two poles located at top and bottom of the actuating device 14, an electric field will be effected to bend the actuating device 14
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A dual-cavity fluid conveying apparatus includes a flow-converging device, a first cavity body, and a second cavity body. The flow-converging device includes two sides corresponding to each other; a first channel and a second channel both passing through the two sides; and an inlet passage and an outlet passage both arranged between the two sides and communicated with the first channel and the second channel, respectively. The first cavity body and the second cavity body are symmetrically disposed at the two sides of the flow-converging device, wherein the first cavity body and the second cavity body each includes a valve cover disposed on one side of the flow-converging device, a valve membrane interposed between the one side of the flow-converging device and the valve cover, and an actuating device disposed circumferentially on the valve cover so as to define, together with the valve cover, a pressure chamber.