Electroactive Membrane Pumping for Low-Power Touchless Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic fluid dispensers face high power consumption and large size issues, leading to frequent maintenance and battery replacement, and are not suitable for areas with limited space.
Innovation Solution
A fluid product dispenser using an electrically activated polymer membrane to pressurize a pumping chamber, which is powered by a low-voltage DC source, minimizing power usage and incorporating a compact design with a disposable pump assembly and refill unit for reduced waste and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional motor-driven pumps are used in automatic dispensers, then pumping function is achieved, but power consumption increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional motor-driven mechanical pumping systems with an electroactive polymer membrane that uses electrical activation to change shape and volume, directly pressurizing the fluid chamber. This substitution eliminates motors, gears, and transmission components, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymer membrane changes its physical parameters (shape, volume, stiffness) in response to electrical activation. When voltage is applied, the membrane transitions from a relaxed state to an activated state, changing its volume to pressurize or depressurize the fluid chamber, enabling pump operation with minimal energy input.
2Power
If traditional motor-driven pumps are used in automatic dispensers, then pumping function is achieved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky motor-driven mechanical pumping systems with a compact electroactive polymer membrane that integrates directly into the fluid chamber. This substitution eliminates the need for separate motors, gear trains, and transmission components, dramatically reducing the dispenser's footprint while maintaining full pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymer membrane is integrated directly into the fluid chamber structure, merging the pumping mechanism with the fluid containment system. This integration eliminates the need for separate pumping components and reduces overall device volume.
3Ease of operation
If sensors and control circuitry are added for touchless dispensing, then hygiene is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electroactive polymer membrane pump requires minimal power, enabling the dispenser to operate touchless sensors and control circuitry for extended periods on small batteries. The pump's ultra-low power consumption allows the system to service itself by maintaining sensor and control functions without requiring external power sources or frequent battery replacement.
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 solution achieves low power consumption and a compact footprint, reducing maintenance needs and enabling use in space-constrained areas while maintaining touchless dispensing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane includes a first electrically conductive layer on a first face and a second electrically conductive layer on a second face. When a voltage potential is applied to the conductive layers, the membrane bends due to electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged layers, pressurizing the pumping chamber to dispense fluid.
Implementation Method 2
An actuator, which includes an electrically activatable polymer membrane, pressurizes the pumping chamber. When a voltage potential is applied to the conductive layers, the membrane bends and changes shape to pressurize the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.