Piezoelectric Fluidic Valve Switching With Low Holding Energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic valves require significant input energy to maintain flow states and lack the ability to quickly switch between flow states, limiting their efficiency and suitability for applications like haptic feedback in wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluidic devices utilizing a first and second piezoelectric actuator to move a piston between positions, allowing for low-energy operation and rapid switching between flow states through a valve chamber with a first and second fluid outlet, enabling efficient fluid control and haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional microfluidic valves are used to control fluid flow, then flow control is achieved, but significant input energy is required to maintain flow states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical valve actuation systems with piezoelectric actuators that convert electrical energy directly to mechanical displacement. This substitution enables precise control of the piston position with minimal energy input, as piezoelectric materials can maintain their strained state without continuous energy supply, thereby resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and reliable flow state maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the piezoelectric effect to change the physical state of the actuator materials in response to electrical signals. By applying voltage pulses, the piezoelectric actuators undergo rapid dimensional changes that move the piston between positions. The system can maintain flow states by holding the piezoelectric actuators in their strained state without continuous energy input, thus achieving reliable flow control with minimal energy consumption.
2Speed
If conventional microfluidic valves are used, then flow control is achieved, but switching between flow states is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical valve mechanisms with piezoelectric actuators that respond almost instantaneously to electrical signals. Piezoelectric materials can change their dimensional state within microseconds when voltage is applied or removed, enabling rapid switching between different flow states while maintaining precise control over fluid direction, thus resolving the contradiction between switching speed and flow control reliability.
3Productivity
If piezoelectric actuators are used to move the piston, then low-energy operation and rapid switching are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple piezoelectric actuators (including first and second piezoelectric actuators positioned at different locations) to control the piston from opposite sides. This segmentation allows each actuator to be relatively simple in structure while collectively achieving complex bidirectional control functions. By dividing the control task among multiple simpler components, the system achieves rapid switching and low-energy operation without requiring any single component to be overly complex.
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 fluidic devices achieve low-energy operation and rapid switching between flow states, enhancing their efficiency and suitability for applications in wearable devices, such as haptic feedback systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the first position to the second position and a second piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the second position to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed fluidic devices may include a valve chamber in a valve body, a fluid inlet into the valve chamber, a piston positioned within the valve chamber, a first fluid outlet for passing fluid out of the valve chamber when the piston is in a first position, a second fluid outlet for passing fluid out of the valve chamber when the piston is in a second position, a first piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the first position to the second position, and a second piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the second position to the first position. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.