Fluidic Actuator Pump with Linear Motor Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic devices for consumers, such as massagers and toys, are limited by bulky and inefficient pumps that lack the capability for low-frequency, variable duration, and pulsed operations, restricting their application and adaptability in terms of size, shape, and motion variability.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a plurality of fluidic actuators coupled to a fluidic pump and control system, allowing for dimensional adjustments, physical engagement with the user's body, and simulated motion through controlled pressure and flow of fluid, enabling deformable and non-mechanical actuation with high efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional rotary pumps are used in fluidic devices, then fluid pressure can be generated, but the devices become bulky and have low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional rotary mechanical pumps with a linear motor-driven piston system. The linear motor directly drives the piston through magnetic fields without mechanical rotation, eliminating the need for complex rotary mechanisms, bearings, and seals. This substitution achieves compact size while maintaining high power density and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluidic system where a linear motor drives a piston to compress and move fluid through hydraulic or pneumatic channels. This allows efficient power transmission to multiple actuators without requiring each actuator to have its own motor, significantly reducing overall device size while maintaining high power output.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used to provide distributed power for motion generation, then motion capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single linear motor to perform multiple functions: it drives the piston for fluid compression, enables device locomotion through fluid-powered wheels, and can manipulate objects through integrated grippers. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate motors for each function, reducing complexity while maintaining versatile motion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) as an intermediary power transmission medium. The linear motor compresses the fluid, which then transmits power to various actuators, wheels, and grippers throughout the device. This intermediary system allows efficient distributed power delivery without requiring multiple electric motors.
3Productivity
If conventional pumps with multiple moving parts are used, then fluid flow can be generated, but reliability decreases due to wear from stripping drive gears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional rotary pumps with gear stripping and seal wear with a linear motor-driven piston system. The piston moves linearly within a cylinder, creating fluid pressure and flow without rotating gears or sliding seals. This eliminates the primary wear mechanisms, dramatically improving reliability and lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluid pumping function into discrete piston strokes within isolated chambers. Each piston-cylinder assembly operates independently, allowing for modular replacement if needed and preventing wear propagation across the entire system. This segmentation enhances overall system reliability.
4Speed
If fluidic devices are designed for high frequency operation, then vibration and motion excitation are improved, but pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic reciprocating motion of the linear motor-driven piston to generate high-frequency fluid pulses. The linear motor can rapidly reverse direction, creating efficient pulsating fluid flow that drives vibration and motion excitation. This periodic action maintains high operational frequency while minimizing energy loss through optimized piston chamber design and fluid channel geometry.
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 provides enhanced adaptability and reliability by allowing multiple ranges of motion, efficient power distribution, and reduced noise, enabling dynamic device configurations and user-specific settings, while minimizing mechanical components and wear.
Implementation Method 1
fluidics offers an efficient means of distributing power to activate elements remote from the power source as the pressure/fluid flow may be used directly to generate pressure and/or motion
Implementation Method 2
controlling the pressure and/or flow of the fluid results in the movement of an element(s) within the device or the expansion/contraction of an element(s) within the device
Data Source
AI summary
Many devices with “limbs” or “arms” are susceptible to damage when a user bends or twists a joint of the limb or arm beyond its design point or in a direction other than intended. This is common with children's toys. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide children with toys employing fluidic actuators that can be bent, twisted, deformed and yet recover subsequently allowing the intended motion to be performed. Further, it would be beneficial by providing devices that employ fluidic actuators, and hence are essentially non-mechanical, to provide users not only of toys but other devices with driving mechanisms that are not susceptible to wear-out such as, by stripping drive gears, etc., thereby increasing their reliability and reducing noise. Fluidic devices allow for high efficiency, high power to size ratio, low cost, limited or single moving part(s) and allow for mechanical springless designs as well as functional reduction by providing a piston which is both pump and vibrator.