Piezoelectric Actuator Bracket for Miniature Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature fluid control devices face challenges in maintaining stable transportation efficiency due to unpredictable adhesive layer thickness and material deformation, leading to potential contact interference and increased noise, making it difficult to control the gap between the resonance plate and piezoelectric actuator effectively.
Innovation Solution
A miniature fluid control device design featuring a piezoelectric actuator with a suspension plate, outer frame, and bracket system that allows for adjustable chamber spacing through a stamping process, enabling precise control of the gap between the resonance plate and piezoelectric actuator, eliminating reliance on adhesive layer thickness for gap control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive layer thickness is used to control the gap between resonance plate and piezoelectric actuator, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to temperature and weight variations in hot pressing process
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator is segmented into multiple components: suspension plate, outer frame, and at least one bracket. The bracket acts as a separate precision element that can be independently designed and manufactured to achieve the required gap dimension, isolating the precision requirement from the adhesive layer thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer-based mechanical bonding system is replaced with a bracket-based mechanical support system. The bracket provides precise mechanical positioning and elastic support, substituting the imprecise adhesive layer thickness control with a dedicated structural component that can be precisely manufactured.
2Productivity
If gap height is reduced to improve transportation efficiency, then fluid transport performance improves, but contact interference between piezoelectric actuator and resonance plate increases causing noise and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves as an intermediary element between the piezoelectric actuator and the resonance plate. It provides elastic support and maintains a controlled chamber spacing, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact while enabling close proximity for efficient fluid transport. The bracket's elasticity allows it to absorb contact forces and prevent harmful interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket provides beforehand cushioning by elastically supporting the suspension plate at a controlled distance from the resonance plate. This pre-established elastic support prevents direct contact and potential damage before interference can occur, while still maintaining close spacing for efficient fluid transport.
3Adaptability or versatility
If material deformation is allowed to occur during assembly, then manufacturing flexibility increases, but gap control stability deteriorates due to environmental temperature effects
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is pre-formed with specific geometric dimensions and elastic properties to compensate for material deformation. The preliminary design of the bracket includes built-in compensation mechanisms that counteract environmental temperature effects, ensuring stable gap control even when other components deform during assembly or operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket's elastic properties and geometric parameters are specifically designed to change in response to environmental conditions in a controlled manner. By selecting appropriate materials and dimensions, the bracket's parameter changes compensate for deformations in other components, maintaining stable chamber spacing despite temperature variations.
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 enhances transportation efficiency, improves yield rate, and reduces manufacturing complexity by allowing precise adjustment of chamber spacing, thereby stabilizing fluid transport and minimizing noise and interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric plate is attached on the second surface of the suspension plate, wherein when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo a bending vibration
Implementation Method 2
The at least one bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature fluid control device is provided and includes a gas inlet plate, a resonance plate and a piezoelectric actuator. The resonance plate is assembled and combined with the gas inlet plate. The piezoelectric actuator is assembled and combined with the resonance plate. The piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, an outer frame, at least one bracket and a piezoelectric plate. The suspension plate has a first surface and a second surface. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate and has an assembling surface. The piezoelectric plate is attached on the second surface. The at least one bracket is formed between the suspension plate and the outer frame as making the first surface of the suspension plate non-coplanar with the assembling surface of the outer frame, so that a specific chamber spacing is maintained between the first surface of the suspension plate and the resonance plate.