Piezoelectric Fluid Control Apparatus Reducing Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control apparatuses utilizing piezoelectric elements face challenges in achieving improved flow characteristics due to pressure losses caused by fluid path bending in the valve chamber.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control apparatus design featuring a first major plate, a second major plate, a peripheral plate, and piezoelectric device, with first and second films that deform to alternately open and close spaces within the pump chamber, allowing unidirectional fluid flow without bending, thereby enhancing flow characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional valve chamber structure with multiple through-holes and films is used to achieve rectifying function, then the fluid flow direction can be controlled, but the fluid path bends multiple times causing pressure loss and degraded flow characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pump chamber into multiple sealed chambers using partition walls, with each chamber having its own piezoelectric element and film assembly. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow in each chamber while eliminating the need for complex bent paths in a single large valve chamber, thereby reducing pressure loss and improving flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional valve chamber design with multiple through-holes to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple sealed pump chambers stacked or arranged in space. This dimensional change allows direct fluid paths within each chamber and eliminates the need for multiple bends required in planar valve designs, reducing pressure loss while maintaining rectifying function.
2Area of stationary object
If films are positioned to coincide in plan view to enable closing of spaces, then the opening size increases improving flow characteristics, but the movable range of films must be sufficient to achieve both closing and wide opening states
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into multiple smaller pump chambers, each with its own film assembly, the invention allows each film to have a sufficient movable range relative to its chamber size. This segmentation enables each film to achieve both complete closing and wide opening states within a reasonable displacement, while the cumulative effect of multiple chambers provides a large total opening area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs flexible films as movable seals in each pump chamber, positioned to coincide in plan view with corresponding openings. These thin films can deform elastically to achieve complete closure when needed, while their flexible nature allows them to provide wide effective openings during fluid flow, maximizing the opening area without requiring excessive movable range.
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 apparatus achieves improved flow characteristics by reducing pressure loss and increasing the opening size between spaces, allowing for efficient fluid transport with reduced energy loss and high-speed switching between closed and open states.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric device is provided on the central portion and vibrates the central portion
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control apparatus includes a first major plate, a piezoelectric device, a second major plate, a peripheral plate, a first film, and a second film. The first film is provided on a side of the first major plate that faces a pump chamber. The first film is provided on a first major surface in such a manner as to have a movable portion one end of which serves as a movable end. The second film is provided on a side of the second major plate that faces the pump chamber. The second film is provided on a third major surface in such a manner as to have a movable portion one end of which serves as a movable end. The first film and the second film are positioned between a first opening provided in the first major plate and a second opening provided in the second major plate.