Micro Pump Valve Membrane Backflow Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current micro pumps face issues with fluid backflow during operation, requiring costly actuators to enhance net flow rate and chamber pressure, which limits their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transportation device comprising a valve seat, valve cap, valve membrane, buffer chambers, and an actuating module with a vibration film, where the actuator deforms the vibration film to change the pressure cavity volume, creating pressure differences to facilitate unidirectional fluid flow without backflow, using inlet and outlet valve structures that are quickly opened or closed to manage fluid transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the compression ratio of the compression chamber is increased to enhance net flow rate and chamber pressure, then fluid transportation performance is improved, but a costly micro actuator is required
Solution Approach 1:
A valve membrane with valve switches is introduced as an intermediary component between the compression chamber and the external environment. The valve membrane selectively opens and closes inlet and outlet channels based on pressure differential, enabling efficient fluid transport without requiring an expensive high-compression micro actuator. The valve switches act as mediators that control fluid flow paths based on local pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve membrane system operates autonomously based on pressure differential across the membrane. When the compression chamber pressure exceeds ambient pressure, the outlet valve automatically opens; when ambient pressure exceeds chamber pressure, the inlet valve automatically opens. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems and expensive actuators while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If the compression chamber pressure is increased to prevent fluid backflow, then fluid transportation efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve membrane undergoes periodic opening and closing cycles in response to pressure differential changes during actuation. The inlet valve opens during the suction phase when chamber pressure is low, and the outlet valve opens during the discharge phase when chamber pressure is high. This periodic valve operation enables unidirectional fluid flow with minimal energy input, preventing backflow without requiring continuously high pressure.
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 device achieves excellent flow rates and output pressures while preventing fluid backflow, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of fluid transportation in micro pumps by using a more affordable actuator setup.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator is driven to be subject to deformation, the vibration film connected to the actuator is transmitted to render a volume change of the pressure cavity and result in a pressure difference for moving the fluid
Implementation Method 2
At the moment when the volume of the pressure cavity is expanded or shrunken, suction or impulse is generated to flow the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A fluid transportation device (20) includes a valve seat (21), a valve cap (22), a valve membrane (23), multiple buffer chambers (223, 215), a vibration film (241) and an actuator (242). The valve membrane (23) is arranged between the valve seat (21) and the valve cap (22), and includes several hollow-types valve switches (231, 232), which includes at least a first valve switch (231) and a second valve switch (232). The multiple buffer chambers (223, 215) include a first buffer chamber (223) between the valve membrane (23) and the valve cap (22) and a second buffer chamber (215) between the valve membrane (23) and the valve seat (21). The vibration film (241) is separated from the valve cap (22) when the fluid transportation device (20) is in a non-actuation status, thereby defining a pressure cavity (226). The actuator (242) is connected to the vibration film (241). When the actuator (242) is driven to be subject to deformation, the vibration film (241) connected to the actuator (242) is transmitted to render a volume change of the pressure cavity (226) and result in a pressure difference for moving the fluid.