Miniature Pneumatic Valve Using Piezoelectric Pressure Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic devices are bulky and noisy, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and portable applications, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals and printing, where compact and silent operation is required.
Innovation Solution
A miniature pneumatic device utilizing a piezoelectric ceramic plate operated at high frequency to generate a pressure gradient in fluid channels, combined with a miniature fluid control device and valve system, allowing for efficient gas flow and silent operation, with dimensions optimized for portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional motors or pressure valves are used in pneumatic devices, then the device can perform gas transfer functions, but the device becomes bulky and cannot meet miniaturization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional motors and pressure valves with a piezoelectric actuator that utilizes piezoelectric ceramic plates to generate mechanical motion through electrical excitation. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining the gas transfer function through acoustic wave-driven fluid motion in microchannels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency electrical signals (typically 20-100 kHz) to drive the piezoelectric actuator, which generates acoustic waves that propel gas through the microfluidic system. This parameter change enables miniaturization while preserving functional performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional motors or pressure valves are used in pneumatic devices, then the device can perform gas transfer functions, but the device generates annoying noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces noisy mechanical motors and pressure valves with a piezoelectric acoustic wave generator that moves gas through resonance-driven acoustic fields in microchannels. This substitution eliminates mechanical friction, impact, and vibration noise while maintaining effective gas transfer through acoustic radiation pressure and streaming effects.
3Productivity
If the piezoelectric actuator operates at high frequency to generate pressure gradient, then gas flow efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piezoelectric actuator, resonance chamber, and microfluidic channels into an integrated monolithic structure. The piezoelectric ceramic plates are directly mounted on the resonance chamber walls, which are formed as part of the microfluidic device body, eliminating separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture while enabling high-frequency operation.
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 results in a compact, silent, and portable pneumatic device capable of efficient gas transport, suitable for various industrial applications, achieving high output pressure while minimizing noise and size.
Implementation Method 1
When a piezoelectric ceramic plate is operated at a high frequency, a pressure gradient is generated in the fluid channels of a miniature fluid control device to facilitate the gas to flow at a high speed
Implementation Method 2
a pressure gradient is generated in the fluid channels of a miniature fluid control device to facilitate the gas to flow at a high speed
Implementation Method 3
When a piezoelectric ceramic plate is operated at a high frequency, a pressure gradient is generated in the fluid channels
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A miniature pneumatic device (1) includes a miniature fluid control device (1A) and a miniature valve device (1B). The miniature fluid control device (1A) includes a gas inlet plate (11), a resonance plate (12), a piezoelectric actuator (13) and a gas collecting plate (16). A first chamber (121) is formed between the resonance plate (12) and the piezoelectric actuator (13). After a gas is fed into the gas inlet plate (11), the gas is transferred to the first chamber (121) through the resonance plate (12) and then transferred downwardly. Consequently, a pressure gradient is generated to continuously push the gas. The miniature valve device (1B) includes a valve plate (17) and a gas outlet plate (18). After the gas is transferred from the miniature fluid control device (1A) to the miniature valve device (1B), the valve opening (170) of the valve plate (17) is correspondingly opened or closed and the gas is transferred in one direction. Consequently, a pressure-collecting operation or a pressure-releasing operation is selectively performed.