Valve Membrane Thickness Layout to Prevent Pump Chamber Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control devices with a valve membrane in the pump chamber often suffer from wear and damage due to contact with the chamber's corners, which impairs their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control device design featuring a valve member with a thicker second portion that overlaps the outer peripheral end, reducing wear and damage by dispersing bending stress and maintaining the rectifying function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve membrane is disposed in a pump chamber with one end fixed to the inner wall and the other end movable, then the fluid flow can be rectified, but the valve membrane may come into contact with the corner of the outer peripheral end of the pump chamber wall causing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed with non-uniform thickness, where the second portion overlapping the outer peripheral end has a larger thickness than the first portion. This local quality variation ensures that the thicker second portion contacts the corner of the pump chamber wall, protecting the thinner first portion from wear and damage while maintaining the rectifying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is pre-configured with a thicker second portion at the location that will contact the corner of the pump chamber wall. This preliminary design ensures that before any wear can occur, the thicker portion is already in place to absorb the contact and protect the thinner first portion from damage.
2Reliability
If the valve member has a thicker portion to prevent wear, then durability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire valve member thick, only the second portion overlapping the outer peripheral end is made thicker. This localized thickness variation provides the necessary durability at the wear-prone area while keeping the rest of the valve member simple and maintaining its rectifying function.
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 design effectively inhibits valve membrane wear and damage while maintaining the fluid rectification capability, enhancing the device's reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member set on a first surface, closer to a pump chamber, of the first flat plate, the valve member being configured to rectify a fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control device includes: a first flat plate; a frame disposed outside an outer peripheral end of the first flat plate via openings; a connection member connecting the first flat plate and the frame; a plate member having through holes in a portion facing the first flat plate; and a valve member configured to rectify a fluid flow. An outer end of the valve member projects toward an outside of the outer peripheral end of the first flat plate. A portion of the valve member closer to an inner end thereof located closer to a center of the first flat plate is fixed to the first flat plate. The outer end of the valve member is not fixed. The valve member has a first portion closer to the outer end, and a second portion closer to an inner end of the first portion.