Piezoelectric Dispenser Head for Gentle Biological Fluid Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid dispenser devices are unsuitable for dispensing biological active principles like proteins, peptides, and hormones due to mechanical and fluidic characteristics that cause deterioration through shear stresses and turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser device with a dispenser head featuring a hollow body and vibration generator means, such as a piezoelectric pin, plate, or diaphragm, that minimizes shear stresses by generating vibrations to spray fluids finely through a spray orifice, optimizing particle size, speed, and angle for gentle dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pumps or valves are used to dispense fluid, then the dispensing mechanism is mechanically simple and easy to manufacture, but the headlosses, turbulence, and shear stresses cause deterioration of biological active principles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a piezoelectric element that generates high-frequency vibrations (typically 20-100 kHz) to atomize the fluid stream into fine droplets. This vibration-based atomization mechanism replaces conventional high-pressure mechanical pumping, achieving gentle dispensing with minimal shear stress while maintaining spray functionality. The piezoelectric element is positioned to directly vibrate the fluid stream or a vibration plate/diaphragm that contacts the fluid, creating controlled turbulence only at the spray interface rather than throughout the entire fluid path.
2Speed
If high-pressure spray mechanisms are used, then spray distance and coverage are improved, but the spray velocity exceeds 10 m/s causing deterioration of fragile biological molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element generates high-frequency vibrations that atomize the fluid into fine droplets with controlled exit velocities below 10 m/s. This vibration-based atomization achieves adequate spray distance and coverage through droplet dispersion rather than high velocity, preserving the integrity of fragile biological molecules while maintaining effective delivery to the target area.
3Ease of operation
If conventional spray profiles with multiple channels and swirl chambers are used, then spray distribution is achieved, but the non-radial channels create excessive shear stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex non-radial spray profiles with a simple radial or axial spray chamber through which fluid flows in straight lines. A piezoelectric element generates vibrations that atomize the fluid stream within this simplified chamber, eliminating the need for tortuous non-radial channels and swirl chambers. This approach achieves adequate spray distribution through vibration-induced atomization rather than mechanical flow path complexity, minimizing shear stress exposure.
4Reliability
If vibration generator means are added to minimize shear stresses, then biological active principles are protected, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical spray mechanisms (multiple channels, swirl chambers, high-pressure pumps) with a simple vibration-based atomization system. The piezoelectric element, which is a compact solid-state component, generates high-frequency vibrations to atomize the fluid stream, eliminating the need for complex mechanical flow path components. This substitution reduces overall device complexity despite adding the piezoelectric element, as it removes entire assemblies of channels and chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the spray system by using high-frequency vibrations (20-100 kHz) instead of high mechanical pressure. This parameter change enables gentle atomization with low shear stress, protecting biological active principles while using simpler device architecture. The piezoelectric element efficiently converts electrical energy to mechanical vibrations at these frequencies, achieving the desired effect with minimal additional complexity.
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 device effectively dispenses biological active principles without deterioration, achieving spray characteristics of 20-40 μm particle size, less than 10 m/s speed, and a 30-50° angle, suitable for fragile molecules, while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture and assemble.
Implementation Method 1
said pin is fastened on a piezoelectric plate
Implementation Method 2
vibration generator means being actuated while fluid is passing so as to spray said fluid finely through said spray orifice
Implementation Method 3
said resonance chamber forming a Helmholtz resonator
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser head for a fluid dispenser device, the head including a hollow body (30, 130, 230) that defines a fluid passage between an inlet orifice (32, 132, 232) and a spray orifice (31, 131, 231); vibration generator means (40, 140, 240) being arranged in said passage upstream from said spray orifice (31, 131, 231), said vibration generator means (40, 140, 240) being actuated while fluid is passing so as to spray said fluid finely through said spray orifice (31, 131, 231).