Miniaturized Pump with Eccentric Shaft and Check Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positive-displacement pumps are complex, expensive, and require significant effort to reverse the pumping direction, while micro-pumps with small constructional size and low flow rates are not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized pump design featuring an electric motor, cylindrical main body with radial holes, spring-activated check valves, and an eccentric shaft that moves plungers to control fluid flow through inlet and outlet orifices, allowing for efficient directional change without external valve rearrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional positive-displacement pumps use passive check valves and predetermined valve arrangements, then fluid transport function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex valve arrangement system from the pump structure. Instead of using multiple passive check valves with predetermined arrangements, the invention uses a single active valve mechanism controlled by the eccentric shaft, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid transport function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static valve arrangement into a dynamic system. The active valve is controlled by the eccentric shaft's rotation, allowing the valve opening direction to change dynamically with the rotation direction, enabling bidirectional fluid transport without complex predetermined valve arrangements
2Ease of operation
If conventional pumps require external valve rearrangement to reverse pumping direction, then unidirectional pumping function is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the valve control system dynamic through the eccentric shaft mechanism. By simply rotating the eccentric shaft in opposite directions, the active valve automatically opens in different directions, enabling instantaneous reversal of pumping direction without any external intervention or time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The single active valve mechanism controlled by the eccentric shaft serves multiple functions: it controls fluid intake and discharge in both forward and reverse directions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valve arrangements for different pumping directions, greatly improving ease of operation
3Productivity
If micro-pumps are designed with small constructional size, then compactness is achieved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic reciprocating motion of the plunger driven by the rotating eccentric shaft. This periodic action creates efficient displacement cycles that maximize fluid transport per unit time, enabling micro-pumps to achieve higher productivity relative to their small size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with a simpler eccentric shaft-driven plunger system. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and allows for more efficient use of the available volume, improving productivity within the constrained size of micro-pumps
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 design simplifies pump construction, reduces costs, and enables easy reversal of pumping direction by using spring-activated check valves and an eccentric shaft to manage fluid flow, enhancing the efficiency and versatility of micro-pump systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring activated first check valve disposed in each of the first cavities, a spring activated second check valve disposed in each of the second cavities
Implementation Method 2
an eccentric shaft having one end secured to the driving shaft and disposed in the passageway to be supported by the bearing, the eccentric shaft further disposed in the channel and comprising an eccentric portion at the other end
Data Source
AI summary
A pump includes a cylindrical main body comprising a central channel, four valve assemblies each threadedly fastened in a radial hole, first and second cavities disposed to each hole and communicating therewith, a spring activated first check valve in each first cavity, a spring activated second check valve in each second cavity, an outlet, a threaded outlet orifice communicating with the outlet, an inlet, a threaded inlet orifice communicating with the inlet, four plungers each in a plunger chamber communicating between the hole and the channel, opposite outlet and inlet tunnels, two snapping members each having a central hole and a snapping bifurcation at either bent end, the snapping bifurcation slidably put on an end of the plunger; a top cover; a bottom cover; and an eccentric shaft having one end secured to motor shaft and other portions in the main body to operatively secure to the snapping members.