Stacked Micro Pump Structure for Low-Resistance Fluid Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid transportation devices face challenges in miniaturization and maximizing flow rate while maintaining reliability and reducing flow resistance, especially in applications requiring versatile and efficient fluid actuation.
Innovation Solution
A micro pump design featuring a concentric symmetric structure with a fluid-converging plate, valve membrane, and fluid-outlet plate, which forms a unidirectional output and pressure relief function, reducing the complexity of the valve membrane and enhancing airtightness, flexibility, and flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fluid transportation devices are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but flow rate decreases and flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple functional modules: a pump core module with inlet/outlet channels, a fluid-converging plate with converging channels, and a fluid-outlet plate with relief channels. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for miniaturization while maintaining overall flow efficiency through specialized functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical stacking dimension by assembling the pump core module, fluid-converging plate, and fluid-outlet plate in layers. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the effective flow path length and cross-sectional area for fluid transport without increasing the device's footprint, thereby maintaining flow rate while achieving miniaturization.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional fluid transportation devices are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the device are designed with specialized qualities: the fluid-converging plate features converging channels that narrow toward the outlet to accelerate flow and reduce resistance, while the fluid-outlet plate includes relief channels strategically positioned to equalize pressure and minimize backpressure on the pump core.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fluid pathways are created in the vertical dimension through stacked plates, providing parallel flow routes that reduce resistance. The relief channels in the fluid-outlet plate create additional dimensional pathways for pressure equalization, effectively lowering flow resistance without increasing device footprint.
3Device complexity
If valve membrane structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but airtightness reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A valve membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump core module and fluid-outlet plate. This thin flexible membrane provides effective sealing with minimal structural complexity, blocking fluid leakage paths while maintaining simplicity in the overall valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve membrane is implemented as a flexible thin film that deforms under pressure differential to control fluid flow. This thin-film approach achieves reliable airtightness through material flexibility and sealing geometry rather than complex mechanical structures, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
4Productivity
If unidirectional output is implemented, then fluid transportation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs asymmetric channel geometries within a concentric symmetric overall structure. The fluid-converging channels are designed with varying cross-sections that converge toward the outlet, creating unidirectional flow preference. This asymmetric internal geometry achieves efficient unidirectional fluid transportation while the external concentric symmetry maintains aesthetic and structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro pump is disclosed and includes a fluid-converging plate, a valve membrane, a fluid-outlet plate and a pump core module. The fluid-converging plate includes an inner recess, a protruding portion and a fluid-converging aperture. The protruding portion is disposed at a center of the inner recess. The valve membrane includes a valve aperture. The protruding portion of the fluid-converging plate abuts against the valve aperture. A fluid-converging chamber is formed between the valve membrane and the fluid-converging plate. The fluid-outlet plate in a ring shape includes a fluid-outlet channel. The valve aperture is in fluid communication with the fluid-outlet channel. When the fluid is inhaled into the pump core module, the fluid flows to the fluid-converging chamber through the fluid-converging aperture and then pushes out the valve membrane to flow into the fluid-outlet channel of the fluid-outlet plate through the valve aperture. Thereby the fluid transportation is achieved.