Micropump System Rigid Flow Ducts Eliminate Dead Space
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micropump systems for compressible fluids face challenges in simplicity, reliability, and efficiency due to dead spaces and vibration, which affect their response time and overall performance, especially when operated at high frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A micropump system comprising multiple micropumps with rigid flow duct elements and a control unit, connected via printed circuit boards, which allows for cascaded pressure build-up and eliminates dead spaces through rigid fastening and connections, reducing vibration and enabling efficient fluid transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elastic connection elements are used to connect micropumps, then the assembly is simpler and absorbs vibration, but dead spaces are created that increase response time and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes elastic connection elements from the system and replaces them with rigid flow duct elements. This extraction of the elastic component eliminates dead spaces while maintaining assembly simplicity through the rigid connection structure described in the patent.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using elastic elements to absorb vibration and simplify assembly, the patent inverts the approach by using rigid elements with precise geometric fitting. The rigid flow duct elements are designed with specific connection geometries that provide both structural integrity and vibration resistance without creating dead spaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If elastic connection elements are used for micropump connections, then assembly is easier, but pump output is consumed for deforming elastic elements rather than fluid transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts elastic connection elements from the system and replaces them with rigid flow duct elements. This eliminates the energy loss associated with deforming elastic components while maintaining ease of assembly through the rigid connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of rigid connections (vibration and assembly difficulty) into benefits by designing precise geometric fitting features. The rigid flow duct elements incorporate specific connection geometries that provide stable assembly while directing all pump output toward productive fluid transport.
3Productivity
If multiple micropumps are connected with rigid flow duct elements, then dead spaces are eliminated and efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple rigid flow duct elements into an integrated structure that connects multiple micropumps. This combining approach eliminates dead spaces between connections while managing system complexity through a unified rigid connection architecture rather than separate elastic components for each connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the rigid flow duct system into modular elements that can be independently connected to each micropump. Each rigid flow duct element is designed as a discrete component with standardized connection interfaces, making the overall system manageable despite its complexity.
4Reliability
If micropumps are rigidly fastened to printed circuit boards, then vibration is reduced and reliability improves, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific geometric fitting features at the connection points between micropumps and rigid flow duct elements. These localized structural features provide precise alignment and stable mounting without requiring high precision throughout the entire assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid flow duct elements serve as intermediaries between the micropumps and the printed circuit board structure. These intermediary components provide stable mechanical connection and vibration resistance while accommodating assembly tolerances through their geometric design.
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 system achieves reduced response time, improved efficiency, and increased reliability, with the ability to provide high overall pump pressure, making it suitable for various applications, including medical fields, while allowing for compact and cost-effective production and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,787 B2 describes a micropump, which has an inertia swing unit operated via a piezoelectric element. In this case, a repeated changing of the expansion of the piezoelectric element leads to a diaphragm of the inertia swing unit moving at a predefined frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A micropump system (100) for a compressible fluid (102) includes a plurality of micropumps (110), rigid flow duct elements (120), a control unit (130), and one or two printed circuit boards (140). The micropumps have an intake opening (112) and an outlet opening (114). The rigid flow duct elements are connected to a respective micropump via a respective, elastically sealed port (122) and with the micropumps form a flow path (104) for the fluid. The one or two printed circuit boards are arranged and configured to electrically connect the control unit to the plurality of micropumps. Each micropump is rigidly fastened to the one or two printed circuit boards via a respective fastening device. A pressure build-up of the fluid flowing through the plurality of micropumps during the use, which is cascaded due to the plurality of micropumps, is provided at a system outlet (106) of the micropump system.