Fluid Control Apparatus Vibration Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid control apparatuses experience significant oscillation of the center of gravity due to vibrations, leading to loose fixation and degraded performance, especially when attached to external housings.

Innovation Solution

A fluid control apparatus design featuring a valve and pump configuration where the first main plate has a higher frequency coefficient than the second main plate, allowing them to vibrate in opposite phases, thereby counteracting the oscillation and reducing the center of gravity fluctuation. The first main plate is thicker and less flexible than the second main plate, ensuring they vibrate out of phase, and are made of the same material to enhance reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a piezoelectric device and vibrating plate are used to control fluid flow, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the center of gravity oscillates largely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidcenter of gravity oscillation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterweight member that generates a counter-vibration opposite to the vibration of the vibrating plate. This counterweight member is driven by a piezoelectric device and positioned to create an opposing force that cancels out the center of gravity oscillation caused by the primary vibration unit, thereby maintaining system stability while preserving fluid control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes controlled mechanical vibrations by introducing a counter-vibration mechanism that oscillates in opposition to the primary vibration. By carefully tuning the frequency and amplitude of this counter-vibration, the system achieves cancellation of net oscillation, allowing the fluid control function to operate without causing harmful center of gravity fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Strength

If the fluid control apparatus is fixed to an external housing, then structural support is provided, but vibrations are transmitted to the external housing causing fixation to become loose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidfixation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates vibration isolation measures that are built into the apparatus structure before fixation issues can occur. By pre-configuring damping elements and isolation mechanisms, the system cushions against vibrations before they can transmit to the external housing and cause loosening of fixations over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful vibrations into a beneficial counter-vibration that actively cancels the oscillation. By using the vibration energy itself to generate an opposing force through the counterweight member, the system transforms what would be harmful transmission into a stabilizing mechanism that protects the fixation from loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 significantly reduces the oscillation of the center of gravity, improving the reliability and performance of the fluid control apparatus by minimizing vibration transmission to external housings, thus enhancing the stability and efficiency of medical devices such as sphygmomanometers and nebulizers.

Implementation Method 1

The pump includes a vibration unit that has a piezoelectric device and a vibrating plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the first main plate and the vibration unit vibrate in opposite phase, which counteracts the vibration of the fluid control apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a frequency coefficient of the first main plate is greater than a frequency coefficient of the second main plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency coefficient:

Data Source

PatentUS11391275B2Fluid control apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A fluid control apparatus includes a valve and a pump. The valve has a valve chamber. The first main plate has a first aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside, and the second main plate has a second aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside. The valve further includes a valve diaphragm disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve diaphragm is configured to switch the communication state. The pump includes a piezoelectric device. The pump has a pump chamber. The pump chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the second aperture. In addition, in flexural vibration of the vibration unit, a frequency coefficient of the first main plate is greater than a frequency coefficient of the second main plate.