Flexible Membrane Protrusion for Low-Pressure Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible membrane mechanisms for valve operations require high pressure and large devices due to increased reaction forces when the entire surface is pressed, leading to increased size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A flexible membrane mechanism with a protrusion portion that increases the pressure reception area, allowing for valve operation with a relatively low pressure, featuring a fixed portion outside the space and a flexible portion extending into the space, and a spacer to maintain distance between the film and the flexible membrane, preventing hindrance to deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire surface of the pressure receiving portion is pressed to open the valve, then the valve can be reliably opened, but the reaction force increases requiring high pressurizing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is designed with a protrusion portion that concentrates the pressing force on a localized area of the valve rather than distributing it across the entire surface. This local quality change allows the valve to be reliably opened with focused pressure while reducing the overall reaction force that the pressurizing device must overcome.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portion of the flexible membrane has a curved, dome-like shape that concentrates force during deformation. This curvature allows the membrane to efficiently transmit pressure to the valve seat, ensuring reliable valve opening while minimizing the total force required from the pressurizing device.
2Reliability
If high pressure is used to press the pressure receiving portion, then the valve opens reliably, but the pressurizing device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the pressing action on the protrusion portion rather than the entire membrane surface, the system achieves reliable valve opening with lower overall pressure requirements. This eliminates the need for large, expensive high-pressure pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane with its protrusion portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that amplifies the effect of low pressure. It transforms small pressure changes into effective valve actuation, serving as a mediator between the low-pressure source and the valve mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the flexible membrane thickness is reduced to enable deformation, then the membrane can be deformed more easily, but the membrane strength and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion portion's curved geometry allows the membrane to deform efficiently under low pressure without requiring thin construction. The dome shape naturally concentrates stress during deformation, enabling easy actuation while maintaining structural integrity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of achieving deformability through reduced thickness (one dimension), the invention creates a protrusion that adds dimensional complexity. The three-dimensional dome structure provides mechanical advantage for deformation while preserving membrane strength through its geometric configuration.
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 reliable valve operation with reduced pressure requirements, shortening pressurization time, improving durability, and reducing the size and cost of the pressure adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible membrane that forms a space between the lid member and the flexible membrane; and a fluid flow path that communicates with the space, in which the flexible membrane is deformed
Implementation Method 2
the flexible membrane including the protrusion portion is provided, and thus an area by which the flexible membrane receives a pressure from the fluid flow path is increased
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a flexible membrane mechanism that is used in a valve mechanism, the flexible membrane mechanism including: a lid member; a flexible membrane that forms a space between the lid member and the flexible membrane; and a fluid flow path that communicates with the space, in which the flexible membrane is deformed such that a valve of the valve mechanism is opened and closed and includes a protrusion portion that becomes a projection toward the lid member and becomes a recess toward the opposite side of the projection.