Piezoelectric Fluid Actuator with Branch Channels and Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniature fluid transportation devices face challenges in transferring a significant amount of gas due to limited chamber capacity and the inability to control gas flow direction, accumulation, and discharge effectively.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fluid system comprising a fluid active region with stacked units, a fluid channel with branch channels, and valves, where a piezoelectric element drives fluid transport and valves control flow through the system, enabling efficient gas transportation and accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the chamber or fluid channel of the miniature fluid transportation device is made compact to achieve miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the capacity to transfer a great amount of gas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid transportation path is divided into multiple segments including inlet channels, outlet channels, storage chambers, and branch channels. This segmentation allows the system to accumulate gas in storage chambers and distribute it through multiple pathways, increasing the total gas transfer amount while maintaining a compact overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where storage chambers are positioned within or adjacent to the fluid guidance unit, and branch channels are integrated into the main channel structure. This nesting approach maximizes the utilization of internal space, allowing larger gas storage capacity within a reduced device footprint.
2Ease of operation
If valves are added to control gas flow direction and accumulation, then the gas transportation control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid guidance unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides fluid flow, accumulates gas in storage chambers, distributes fluid through branch channels, and controls flow direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby controlling device complexity while improving gas transportation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chambers are pre-positioned within the device structure to prepare for gas accumulation before transportation is needed. This preliminary arrangement of storage spaces allows rapid gas accumulation and distribution when valves are activated, improving control capability without adding complex dynamic structures.
3Productivity
If multiple stacked fluid-guiding units are used to increase flow rate, then the gas transportation capacity is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fluid-guiding units are stacked and merged into a single integrated structure with shared walls and interconnected channels. This merging approach increases the total flow rate capacity by combining multiple flow paths while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the units share common structural elements rather than being completely separate devices.
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 system achieves high flow rates and pressure while allowing for controlled gas transport and accumulation, overcoming the limitations of prior miniature fluid systems.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric element is attached on a surface of a suspension part of the actuating plate. While the piezoelectric element drives a bending resonance of the actuating plate, fluid is inhaled into the first chamber of the flow-guiding unit through the at least one inlet aperture of the inlet plate, transported to the second chamber through the central aperture of the resonance plate, transported to the third chamber through the vacant space of the actuating plate, and pressurized to be discharged out from the outlet aperture of the outlet plate.
Implementation Method 2
While the piezoelectric element drives a bending resonance of the actuating plate, fluid is inhaled into the first chamber of the flow-guiding unit
Implementation Method 3
The plural valves are disposed in the corresponding branch channels. The fluid is discharged out through the branch channels according to open/closed states of the valves.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid system includes a fluid active region, a fluid channel, a convergence chamber and plural valves. The fluid active region includes one or plural fluid-guiding units. Each fluid-guiding unit includes an inlet plate, a substrate, a resonance plate, an actuating plate, a piezoelectric element and an outlet plate, which are stacked sequentially. The piezoelectric element is attached on the actuating plate. When the piezoelectric element drives a bending resonance of the actuating plate, the fluid is transported into the fluid-guiding units and pressurized to be discharged out. The fluid channel includes plural branch channels. The fluid discharged from the fluid active region is split by the branch channels. The convergence chamber is in communication with the fluid channel. The valves are disposed in the branch channels. The fluid is transported through the branch channels according to the open/closed states of the valves.