Flexible Strip for Micro-Pump Actuator Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-pumps face challenges in ensuring an effective link between a deformable membrane and an actuator, particularly due to geometric variations and misalignments during assembly, leading to unacceptable errors and hyper-statics.
Innovation Solution
A micro-pump design featuring a flexible strip that is rigid along its main axis and flexible perpendicular to it, secured to both the actuator and membrane, allowing linear force transmission while absorbing lateral forces, with the strip being fixed using gluing and optionally featuring holes or a crenellated outline for enhanced bonding, and the membrane being bonded last to stabilize the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rigid connection element is used to transmit actuator force to the membrane, then force transmission efficiency is improved, but geometric variations and misalignments during assembly cause unacceptable errors and hyper-statics
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element's rigidity parameter is changed along its length, being rigid near the actuator for force transmission and flexible near the membrane to accommodate misalignments. This gradient in rigidity allows the element to transmit forces effectively while absorbing assembly errors and avoiding hyper-static conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible connection element is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid actuator and the membrane. This intermediary component absorbs the mismatch in rigidity between the two components, allowing force transmission while accommodating geometric variations and misalignments that would otherwise cause assembly errors.
2Force
If the membrane is secured rigidly to the actuator, then force transmission is improved, but the assembly becomes hyper-static and susceptible to damage from geometric variations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element's mechanical parameters are changed along its length, transitioning from rigid near the actuator to flexible near the membrane. This allows the system to maintain force transmission capability while avoiding hyper-static conditions that would arise from completely rigid connections, thereby improving reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a flexible connection element is used, then geometric variations are absorbed, but force transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a uniformly flexible element, the connection element's rigidity parameter is changed along its length. It is rigid near the actuator to ensure efficient force transmission and becomes progressively more flexible toward the membrane to absorb geometric variations. This gradient approach maintains force transmission efficiency while providing tolerance to misalignments.
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
This configuration effectively transmits actuator forces to the membrane, absorbs geometric variations, and prevents hyper-statics, ensuring reliable operation by freezing the relative position of the elements and preventing damage from overpressure.
Implementation Method 1
activatable by means of an actuator such as a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
at least one element in the form of a strip, rigid along its main axis and flexible along the direction perpendicular to its main axis
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A micropump in the form of a stack comprising, in succession, a flexible diaphragm (2), a pumping chamber (4) and a closing-off plate (3), said pumping chamber (4) communicating with the outside, for example via the flexible diaphragm (2); said diaphragm (2) being furthermore secured to an actuator (5) arranged outside the micropump, characterized in that said diaphragm (2) is secured to the actuator (5) by way of at least one element in the form of a strip (6), which is rigid along its main axis and flexible in the direction perpendicular to its main axis.