Piezoelectric Pump Cuff Pressure Controller

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cuff pressure controller devices face challenges in finely regulating gas flow to maintain cuff pressure within a predetermined range, leading to inefficiencies in size, manufacturing cost, power consumption, and noise, due to the use of motors and additional valves.

Innovation Solution

A cuff pressure controller device utilizing a piezoelectric pump driven at a frequency of 15 kHz or higher, eliminating the need for a flow volume regulator valve, with a check valve to maintain pressure and a release valve to adjust when necessary, reducing device size, cost, and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a motor-driven pressure pump and flow volume regulator valve are used to control cuff pressure, then the cuff pressure can be maintained within a predetermined range, but the device size increases, manufacturing cost increases, power consumption increases, and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff pressure controlVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flow volume regulator valve from the system by using a piezoelectric pump that can directly regulate gas flow volume through frequency control. The pump alone suffices to both pressurize and finely control the cuff, eliminating the need for separate flow regulation components and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the motor-driven pressure pump with a piezoelectric pump. The piezoelectric pump uses piezoelectric elements to generate mechanical vibrations that pump gas, enabling fine flow control through frequency modulation without requiring additional mechanical flow regulation valves, thus reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a motor-driven pressure pump and flow volume regulator valve are used to control cuff pressure, then the cuff pressure can be maintained within a predetermined range, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff pressure controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flow volume regulator valve from the system by using a piezoelectric pump that can directly regulate gas flow volume through frequency control. The pump alone suffices to both pressurize and finely control the cuff, eliminating the need for separate flow regulation components and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a motor-driven pressure pump and flow volume regulator valve are used to control cuff pressure, then the cuff pressure can be maintained within a predetermined range, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff pressure controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motor-driven pressure pump with a piezoelectric pump. The piezoelectric pump uses piezoelectric elements to generate mechanical vibrations that pump gas, enabling fine flow control through frequency modulation without requiring additional mechanical flow regulation valves, thus reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The piezoelectric pump operates by applying periodic alternating voltage to the piezoelectric elements, causing them to expand and contract in a periodic manner. This periodic mechanical action creates the pumping effect and allows for precise flow control through frequency modulation, reducing the need for continuous high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If a motor-driven pressure pump and flow volume regulator valve are used to control cuff pressure, then the cuff pressure can be maintained within a predetermined range, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff pressure controlVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motor-driven pressure pump with a piezoelectric pump. The piezoelectric pump uses piezoelectric elements to generate mechanical vibrations that pump gas, enabling fine flow control through frequency modulation without requiring additional mechanical flow regulation valves, thus reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The piezoelectric pump operates by applying periodic alternating voltage to the piezoelectric elements, causing them to expand and contract in a periodic manner. This periodic mechanical action creates the pumping effect and allows for precise flow control through frequency modulation, reducing the need for continuous high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 enables precise regulation of cuff pressure, reducing device size, manufacturing costs, and power consumption while silencing noise, with improved efficiency and accuracy in maintaining cuff pressure within the desired range.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric pump (101) that includes a discharge hole (24) connected to a cuff (10) and discharges gas (air) from the discharge hole (24) to the cuff (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10773040B2Cuff pressure controller device

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A cuff pressure controller device (100) is connected to a foregoing cuff (10) via an air supply tube (125). The cuff pressure controller device (100) includes a controller unit (111), a cuff pressure detector unit (113), a driver circuit (119), a piezoelectric pump (101), a check valve (121), and a release valve (122). The cuff pressure detector unit (113) detects the cuff pressure of the cuff (10). The driver circuit (119) drives the piezoelectric pump (101) at a drive frequency of 20 kHz or higher. The controller unit (111) controls the cuff pressure detector unit (113), the driver circuit (119), and the release valve (122) in such a way that the cuff pressure stays within a predetermined range based on detection results of the cuff pressure detector unit (113) and the like.