Piezoelectric Pump Unit Diffusion Welding Gasket Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pump units have a complex manufacturing process due to the increased number of components, particularly the need for a gasket between the pump and the valve mechanism, which complicates assembly and increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

A pump unit design that integrates a piezoelectric element with a discharge mechanism and a valve mechanism, where both mechanisms are formed by stacking metal layer pieces and joined via diffusion welding, eliminating the need for a gasket and simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gasket is provided between the pump and the valve mechanism, then sealing is ensured, but the number of components increases and the manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump body and valve mechanism body are merged into a single integrated structure through diffusion welding of stacked metal layer pieces. This integration eliminates the gasket component while maintaining sealing performance through the welded joint, directly resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and component complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated pump-body-valve mechanism structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: fluid discharge, pressure regulation, and sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components like gaskets, addressing the contradiction between component count and functional completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a gasket is provided between the pump and the valve mechanism, then sealing is ensured, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical sealing system using a gasket is replaced with a diffusion welding joint that creates a seal through metallurgical bonding. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for gasket installation while ensuring reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the pressure on the upstream side of the pump increases, then fluid flow control is achieved, but fluid may undesirably flow out through the flow-out passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control capabilityVSAvoidundesirable fluid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve side diaphragm acts as an intermediary element that responds to pressure changes in the flow-in passage. When upstream pressure increases, the diaphragm moves to close the flow-out passage, preventing undesirable fluid flow while maintaining pressure control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve side diaphragm provides a feedback mechanism where pressure changes in the flow-in passage automatically trigger closure of the flow-out passage. This feedback control prevents undesirable fluid flow while maintaining ease of operation through automatic pressure-regulated valve action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces component count, and ensures stable fluid discharge by preventing pressure loss through the use of a valve side diaphragm that restricts flow when necessary, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of the pump unit.

Implementation Method 1

a pump including a piezoelectric element and a discharge mechanism for discharging fluid according to operation of the piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the discharge mechanism and the valve mechanism each include a plurality of metal layer pieces stacked in a predetermined stacking direction and joined to one another by diffusion welding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion welding: Diffusion Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3260702B1Pump unit and method of manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2020.11.18 DAIKEN MEDICAL CO LTD

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AI summary

There are provided a pump unit with a reduced number of components and capable of simplifying a manufacturing process thereof, and a method for manufacturing the pump unit. The pump unit (1) comprises a pump (2) including a piezoelectric element (4) and a discharge mechanism (5) for discharging fluid according to operation of the piezoelectric element (4), and a valve mechanism (3) attached to the pump (2). The discharge mechanism (5) and the valve mechanism (3) are separately formed by joining a plurality of metal layer pieces (22) to (37) stacked in a predetermined stacking direction by diffusion welding, and are secured to each other by diffusion welding.