Piezoelectric Air Circulation Control Device for Compact Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic devices are bulky, noisy, and not waterproof or dustproof, leading to issues with moisture and dust contamination, which can damage components and reduce gas transportation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A miniature air circulation control device using a piezoelectric actuator to generate a pressure gradient for high-speed gas flow, equipped with waterproof and dustproof protective films to filter out moisture and dust, ensuring the device is compact, silent, and efficient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional motors or gas valves are used for gas transportation, then gas transfer function is achieved, but device volume becomes large and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidgas transportation function

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical motors and gas valves with a piezoelectric actuator that utilizes piezoelectric effect to generate mechanical vibrations. This substitution dramatically reduces device volume while maintaining gas transportation capability through pressure gradient generation in microfluidic channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin film structures including piezoelectric ceramic plates and flexible membranes that can deform under piezoelectric actuation to create pressure variations for gas flow. These thin film components enable compact design while preserving essential gas transportation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional motors or gas valves are used for gas transportation, then gas transfer function is achieved, but noise is generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidgas transportation function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces noisy mechanical motors and valves with a piezoelectric actuator system that operates silently through electro-mechanical coupling. The piezoelectric ceramic plate converts electrical signals directly to mechanical vibrations without moving parts, eliminating motor noise while maintaining gas transportation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional motors or gas valves are used without waterproof protection, then gas transfer is achieved, but moisture and dust can enter and damage components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture and dust contaminationVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses waterproof and dustproof thin film membranes to seal the piezoelectric actuator and microfluidic channels. These films allow gas permeation while blocking moisture and dust particles, protecting internal components from contamination and extending device lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous or microporous membrane structures that permit gas molecules to pass through while filtering out larger moisture droplets and dust particles. This selective permeability protects components from harmful contaminants while maintaining gas flow functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 achieves compact size, silence, and enhanced gas transportation efficiency while preventing damage from moisture and dust, making it suitable for portable electronic and medical equipment.

Implementation Method 1

generating air fluctuation by high frequency operation of a piezoelectric actuator, so that a pressure gradient is generated in designed fluid channel to facilitate high speed gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a pressure gradient is generated in designed fluid channel to facilitate high speed gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The air circulation control device is equipped with at least one protective film to filter out the moisture and the dust contained in the introduced gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11162487B2Air circulation control device

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 MICROJET TECH

AI summary

An air circulation control device includes a casing and at least one air pump. The casing includes at least one entrance opening, at least one exit opening and an accommodation space. Each air pump is disposed in and closes the corresponding entrance opening. Each air pump includes a first protective film that is a waterproof and dustproof film structure allowing gas to pass therethrough. When the air pump is enabled, the gas is introduced into the accommodation space through the entrance opening and discharged from the accommodation space through the exit opening, so that the gas is circulated.