Electroosmotic Pump Membrane Control for Precise Shaft Reciprocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug injection devices, such as insulin injection devices, require efficient and precise mechanisms for driving fluids, which current technologies like motors or pumps may not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An electroosmotic pump with a housing, membrane, and electrode bodies that utilize fluid pressure and electrochemical reactions to control the reciprocating movement of a shaft, allowing for fine pumping operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional motors or pumps are used to drive fluid injection, then sufficient pumping force can be achieved, but fine pumping operation and precise control are difficult to realize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional motor-driven mechanical pumping systems with an electroosmotic pump that utilizes electroosmotic flow phenomenon. The pump chamber includes a porous wall through which fluid flows under applied voltage, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components while achieving precise fluid control through electrical field manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compliant membrane that changes its physical state between expanded and contracted configurations in response to pressure changes. This parameter change allows the membrane to act as a simple yet effective control mechanism for directing fluid flow between different chambers, achieving precise pumping operation without complex control systems.
2Device complexity
If a simple pump structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but pumping force and control accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is segmented into multiple functional zones by the porous wall and compliant membrane, creating distinct regions for fluid intake, pressurization, and discharge. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, generating sufficient pumping force through coordinated operation of simple structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid pressure and electroosmotic flow through the porous wall to generate pumping force. The hydraulic action of fluid moving through the porous structure, combined with the electroosmotic effect, produces the necessary force for precise fluid injection while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 electroosmotic pump enables precise control of shaft movement through fluid pressure and elastic deformation, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of fluid injection.
Implementation Method 1
forward or backward movement of a shaft may be accurately controlled due to an elastic deformation of a deformation portion
Implementation Method 2
An electroosmotic pump with a housing, membrane, and electrode bodies that utilize fluid pressure and electrochemical reactions to control the reciprocating movement of a shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Provided is an electroosmotic pump including a housing including a shaft hole, a membrane disposed between a first space arranged in a direction away from the shaft hole and a second space adjacent to the shaft hole, a first electrode body and a second electrode body arranged at opposite sides based on the membrane, a shaft extending to an outside of the housing through the shaft hole, and a first fluid included in an internal space of the housing.