Multicellular Pump with Elastic Membrane for Low Power Fluid Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid delivery devices, particularly multicellular pumps, face challenges in achieving low power consumption, which is essential for portable applications such as drug delivery and fuel cells.

Innovation Solution

A fluid delivery device with a reservoir and multiple pumping chambers, each divided by a deformable membrane, utilizes elastic energy storage means held by an electrically releasable mechanism to operate with minimal electric energy, allowing the membrane to change positions and volumes to convey fluid without an external reservoir.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional peristaltic pumps with external reservoirs and pressure sources are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the reservoir, pumping chambers, and actuation mechanism into a single integrated microfabricated device. The reservoir is formed within the device body itself, and the pumping chambers are created by deforming a flexible membrane within the same structure, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall system complexity while enabling low-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pumping chambers are nested within the reservoir structure, with the flexible membrane forming internal chambers by deformation. The actuation channels are integrated within the same wall structure that forms the reservoir and pumping chambers, creating a compact nested architecture where multiple functions are housed within a single integrated body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If electrostatic forces are used for fluid conveyance in microfabricated pumps, then small fluid amounts are conveyed accurately, but power consumption remains high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid delivery accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane is pre-formed with specific mechanical properties during microfabrication, storing elastic energy that is released during pumping operation. The chamber geometry and membrane tension are pre-configured to provide the necessary pumping force, eliminating the need for continuous high-power electrostatic actuation while maintaining precise fluid delivery control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If external reservoirs and pressure sources are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but device portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidnumber of external components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Use of energy by moving object

If multiple pumping chambers with flexible membranes are integrated, then low power consumption is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmicrofabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into multiple identical or similar pumping chambers that can be manufactured simultaneously using standard microfabrication techniques. Each chamber follows the same design pattern with a flexible membrane and integrated actuation channels, allowing for scalable production through replication of the basic unit cell structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design significantly reduces energy consumption, making it suitable for low power applications by storing energy in elastic membranes and using it to pump fluids efficiently, with the ability to handle both liquid and gaseous fluids.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of elastic energy storage means, each of which is held by an electrically releasable retaining mechanism in an elastically deformed state and is releasable, by an electric signal fed to the retaining mechanism, to relax at least partially from the deformed state to a relaxed state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Designs suitable for microfabrication have e.g. been proposed in WO 00/28215 and use electrostatic forces for conveying the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic forces: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP1918586B1Multicellular pump and fluid delivery device

Publication Date: 2010.12.01 SENSIRION HLDG

Figure 1~6
Figure 7~11
Figure 12~14

AI summary

The pump is provided with a plurality of pumping chambers (2) and electrically activatable valves (14). An elastic membrane (3) is arranged in each pumping chamber (2) and divides the same into a first and a second chamber section (2a, 2b). Each valve (14) is connected to the second chamber section (2a) of a pumping chamber. When a pressure drop is applied over the valve (14) and the valve (14) is activated (i.e. opened), the pressure in the second chamber section (2b) changes, which causes the membrane (3) to move, which in turn leads to a change of the volumes of both chamber sections. This e.g. allows to pump well-defined amounts of fluid from the chamber sections (2a) to a drug dispensing device.