Micro Pump With Piezoelectric Actuator and Converging Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid transportation devices face challenges in miniaturization and maximizing flow rate while maintaining reliability and reducing flow resistance, particularly in applications requiring high versatility and efficient fluid actuation.
Innovation Solution
A micro pump design featuring a semi-staggered valve base structure with a valve membrane clamped between an upper and base plate, incorporating a pump core module with a piezoelectric actuator, fluid channels, and a fluid-outlet channel to achieve unidirectional output and pressure relief, simplifying the structure, enhancing airtightness, and reducing flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device is miniaturized to reduce size, then the device can be used in portable applications, but the flow rate capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into modular components including a pump core module with multiple chambers, allowing the device to maintain compact size while providing sufficient flow rate through coordinated operation of multiple smaller pumping units
Solution Approach 2:
The valve membrane assembly is nested within the pump core module structure, with the upper covering plate containing the valve membrane that seals over fluid channels and apertures in the base plate, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes functionality within minimal volume
2Device complexity
If the valve membrane structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but airtightness reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The upper covering plate combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as the valve seat, contains the valve membrane, provides fluid sealing surfaces, and structures the fluid relief aperture and converging channels, thereby simplifying the overall valve assembly while maintaining airtightness through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the fluid channel during pumping, closes the fluid relief aperture during pressure buildup, and works with the upper covering plate to create unidirectional flow control, reducing the need for separate components
3Volume of moving object
If the fluid relief aperture is reduced to minimize size, then the device remains compact, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid relief path is extended from a simple aperture into a three-dimensional converging channel system within the upper covering plate, allowing the relief function to be achieved with minimal aperture size while maintaining low flow resistance through the volumetric converging path
4Length of stationary object
If the pump structure is optimized for thin profile to improve portability, then the device is more portable, but internal volume for fluid handling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid converging groove and channel system utilizes the vertical dimension within the thin upper covering plate, creating volumetric fluid handling capacity through multi-level recesses and channels that exploit the Z-axis space rather than requiring additional horizontal volume
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 design enhances the reliability of fluid transportation, optimizes the pump's thin profile, and significantly reduces flow resistance, enabling efficient and rapid fluid transport in miniature form.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a pump core module with a piezoelectric actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A micro pump includes a base plate, a valve membrane, an upper covering plate and a pump core module. The valve membrane is disposed in a valve membrane accommodation slot of the base plate, seals a fluid channel of the base plate and includes a valve aperture where a protruding portion of the base plate extended through. The upper covering plate is accommodated in an upper covering plate accommodation slot of the base plate and includes a fluid relief aperture sealed by the valve membrane, a fluid converging groove and a fluid converging channel between the fluid converging groove and a fluid-outlet channel of the base plate. The pump core module is accommodated within a pump accommodation slot of the base plate. By actuating the pump core module, the fluid passes through the fluid channel, the valve aperture, the fluid converging groove, and is discharged out through the fluid-outlet channel.