Miniature Pump Airflow Control with Rubber Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional miniature pumps face inefficiencies due to unreliable intake valves and manufacturing challenges with thin convex blocks, leading to airflow control issues and reduced pump performance over time.
Innovation Solution
The miniature pump design incorporates a bladder supporter with circular walls surrounding intake and output valves, made from rubber for durability, and a valve base with air chambers and channels to enhance airflow control and reduce noise, featuring a motor-driven compression unit with bladders and valves for efficient airflow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin convex block is used to control airflow and reduce air pressure, then the pump size can be reduced, but the manufacturing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thin convex block with a rubber material that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The rubber material is more tolerant of manufacturing variations and can be reliably produced, even though it may need periodic replacement due to wear from repeated compression cycles.
2Device complexity
If a thin convex block is used to control airflow, then the pump structure can be simplified, but the valve reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rubber material for the airflow control element instead of a thin convex block. The rubber can be easily manufactured with consistent properties and replaced when worn, providing reliable long-term operation without complex manufacturing requirements.
3Device complexity
If conventional valve design is used, then the pump structure remains simple, but airflow control reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rubber material for the valve component that controls airflow. This rubber element can be easily manufactured, installed, and replaced, providing reliable airflow control throughout the pump's operational life without requiring complex valve mechanisms.
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 improved design ensures reliable airflow control, prolonged valve life, and reduced noise through effective air sealing and stable airflow pathways, addressing the inefficiencies and manufacturing limitations of conventional miniature pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The miniature pump is made of rubber, and thus the miniature pump is flexible and adaptable.
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature pump includes a driving unit and an airflow control unit, which includes a bladder supporter, a compression unit, a valve base and an output valve. The compression unit has multiple intake valves and multiple bladders, each intake valve covers the corresponding intake through hole, each intake through hole is surrounded by a circular wall, wherein the circular wall is disposed on a bottom surface of the corresponding intake valve or a top surface of the corresponding bladder supporter. The valve base is arranged over the compression unit, and the valve base has multiple output through holes aligned with the bladders respectively. When the bladder is compressed, air inside the bladder is output via the output through hole and the output valve. When the bladder is decompressed, external air is introduced into the bladder via the intake through hole and the intake valve.