FLUID DRIVING MECHANISM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/738,948, filed December 26, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid driving mechanism, and, in particular, it relates to a fluid driving mechanism that has a flat structure.

Description of the Related Art

As technology has advanced, piezoelectric micro-pumps have been applied in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones to achieve rapid heat dissipation and cooling.

However, reducing the size of piezoelectric micro-pumps and improving their performance has become a challenge owing to the compact size of the portable electronic devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a fluid driving mechanism that includes a fixed part, a first one-way valve assembly, a second one-way valve assembly, and a driving assembly. The first and second one-way valve assemblies are movably disposed on the fixed part. The driving assembly is configured for driving the fluid to sequentially flow through the first and second one-way valve assemblies.

In some embodiments,. the driving assembly includes a first driving element and a second driving element. The first driving element is disposed on the first one-way valve assembly and configured to generate a first driving force and drive the fluid to flow through the first one-way valve assembly when receiving a first driving signal. The second driving element is disposed on the first one-way valve assembly and configured to generate a second driving force and drive the fluid to flow through the second one-way valve assembly when receiving a second driving signal, wherein the second driving element is spaced apart from the first driving element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another exploded view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 after assembly.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 after assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 1 before assembly.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 5 after assembly.

FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 5 after assembly.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 with the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2 omitted therefrom.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the right part of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the left part of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid driving mechanism 100, wherein the first and second flap portions R12 and R22 of the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 are open relative to the first and second openings H1 and H2.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the first driving element P1 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The making and using of the embodiments of the fluid driving mechanism are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the embodiments, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that each term, which is defined in a commonly used dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning conforming to the relative skills and the background or the context of the present disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless defined otherwise.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and in which specific embodiments of which the invention may be practiced are shown by way of illustration. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," "back," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for the purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is another exploded view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 after assembly. FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2 after assembly.

The fluid driving mechanism 100 of this embodiment may comprise a flat piezoelectric micro-pump, which can be installed in the casing of a mobile phone or other portable electronic device for driving fluid (e.g. water) to flow through the cooling pipes, thereby achieving rapid heat dissipation and cooling of the mobile phone or other portable electronic device.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the fluid driving mechanism 100 is substantially parallel to the XY plane. It primarily includes a flat main body 10, a bottom shell 20, a top cover 30, a first driving element P1, a second driving element P2, a first protecting element Q1, a second protecting element Q2, a first resilient element R1, and a second resilient element R2.

For example, the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 may comprise rubber or metal. The top cover 30 may be a glass cover, the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 may comprise piezoelectric material, and the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2 may comprise resin material. In this embodiment, the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 are disposed on the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 and covered by the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2, respectively.

The main body 10, the bottom shell 20, and top cover 30 constitute a fixed part of the fluid driving mechanism 100. The first and second driving elements P1 and P2 constitute a driving assembly for driving fluid (e.g. water) to flow through the fluid driving mechanism 100.

Specifically, the main body 10 has a substantially rectangular structure. An inlet 101 and an outlet 102 are formed on opposite ends of the main body 10. Furthermore, a first chamber 11 and a second chamber 12 are formed on the top side of the main body 10, and a third chamber 13 is formed on the bottom side of the main body 10. Fluid can enter the fluid driving mechanism 100 through the inlet 101 and then sequentially flow through the first chamber 11, the third chamber 13, and the second chamber 12. Subsequently, the fluid can be discharged from the fluid driving mechanism 100 through the outlet 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first opening H1 and a second opening H2 are formed through the main body 10. The first opening H1 communicates the first and third chambers 11 and 13 in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the second opening H2 communicates the second and third chambers 12 and 13 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

It should be noted that the first and third chambers 11 and 13 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the second and third chambers 12 and 13 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction (Z direction).

The second resilient elements R1 and R2 are respectively disposed on the lower and upper sides of the main body 10. The first resilient element R1 is configured to open or close the first opening H1, thereby allowing or preventing fluid from flowing from the first chamber 11 into the third chamber 13. Similarly, the second resilient element R2 is configured to open or close the second opening H2, thereby allowing or preventing fluid from flowing from the third chamber 13 into the second chamber 12.

In this embodiment, the first resilient element R1 and the first opening H1 constitute a first one-way valve assembly V1. When the first resilient element R1 is open relative to the first opening H1, fluid can enter the first chamber 11 of the main body 10 through the inlet 101, and fluid inside the first chamber 11 can flow into the third chamber 13 through the first opening H1.

Similarly, the second resilient element R2 and the second opening H2 constitute a second one-way valve assembly V2. When the second resilient element R2 is open relative to the second opening H2, fluid inside the third chamber 13 can flow into the second chamber 12, and fluid inside the second chamber 12 can be discharged from the fluid driving mechanism 100 through the outlet 102.

It should be noted that when viewed in the horizontal direction (Y direction), the inlet 101 and outlet 102 at least partially overlap, and all of the first, second and third chambers 11, 12 and 13 at least partially overlap with the inlet 101 and outlet 102 of the main body 10. Furthermore, the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 and the first, second openings H1, H2 also at least partially overlap with the inlet 101 and outlet 102 of the main body 10. Therefore, the thickness of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in the vertical direction (Z direction) can be reduced to achieve miniaturization of the product.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 1 before assembly. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 5 after assembly. FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the main body 10, the first, second driving elements P1, P2, and the first, second resilient elements R1, R2 in FIG. 5 after assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the first resilient element R1 in this embodiment has a first hole R10, a first fixed portion R11, and a first flap portion R12. The first fixed portion R11 is adhered to the main body 10, and the first flap portion R12 protrudes from the first fixed portion R11 toward the interior of the first hole R10 for covering the first opening H1.

Similarly, the second resilient element R2 has a second hole R20, a second fixed portion R21, and a second flap portion R22. The second fixed portion R21 is adhered to the main body 10, and the second flap portion R22 protrudes from the second fixed portion R21 towards the interior of the second hole R20 for covering the second opening H2.

In this embodiment, the first resilient element R1 is located between the first opening H1 and the first driving element P1 after assembly, and the second resilient element R2 is located between the second opening H2 and the second driving element P2 after assembly.

Moreover, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, a baffle 14 is formed on the top side of the main body 10 and between the first and second chambers 11 and 12, thus preventing fluid in the first chamber 11 from directly flowing into the second chamber 12.

It should be noted that the first driving element P1 can be electrically connected to an external circuit via at least a first circuit element W1, and the second driving element P1 can be electrically connected to the external circuit via at least a second circuit element W2. In some embodiments, the first driving element P1 and the first circuit element W1 may be covered by the first protecting element Q1, and the second driving element P2 and the second circuit element W2 may be covered by the second protecting element Q2 after assembly. Therefore, the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 and the first and second circuit elements W1 and W2 can be protected by the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2 from being damaged.

In some embodiments, the first and second circuit elements W1 and W2 may extend from the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 along the surface of the main body 10 to the external circuit for delivering a first driving signal and second driving signal, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 may be exposed to the outer side of the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, and the configurations of the first and second driving elements P1 and P2, the first and second circuit elements W1 and W2, and the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2 are not limited to the embodiments described in the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid driving mechanism 100 with the first and second protecting elements Q1 and Q2 omitted therefrom. FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the right part of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the left part of the fluid driving mechanism 100 in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid driving mechanism 100, wherein the first and second flap portions R12 and R22 of the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 are open relative to the first and second openings H1 and H2.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, before the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 receive a driving signal, the fluid driving mechanism 100 is in an initial state. In the initial state, the first and second flap portions R12 and R22 of the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 respectively block the first and second openings H1 and H2, whereby the fluid does not flow between the first, second, and third chambers 11, 12, and 13.

In this embodiment, the first and second chambers 11 and 12 are formed between the main body 10 and the top cover 30, and the third chamber 13 is formed between the main body 10 and the bottom shell 20. The thermal conductivity of the top cover 30 is less than that of the bottom shell 20. Furthermore, the first resilient element R1 and the second resilient element R2 are located at different heights in the vertical direction (Z direction). That is, when viewed in the horizontal direction (Y direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z direction), the first and second resilient elements R1 and R2 do not overlap. Moreover, when viewed in the horizontal direction (Y direction), the first and second driving element P2 at least partially overlap with the inlet 101 and/or the outlet 102.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when viewed in the vertical direction (Z direction), the first driving element P1 at least partially overlaps with the first chamber 11, and the second driving element P2 at least partially overlaps with the second chamber 12.

When the first driving element P1 receives a first driving signal through the first circuit element W1, the first driving element P1 can vibrate and generate a first driving force to change the volume of the first chamber 11.

Similarly, when the second driving element P2 receives a second driving signal through the second circuit element W2, the second driving element P2 can vibrate and generate a second driving force to change the volume of the second chamber 12. Therefore, the fluid can be driven to smoothly flow through the first and second one-way valve assemblies V1 and V2 in the fluid driving mechanism 100.

It should be noted that when the first driving force generated by the vibration of the first driving element P1 is applied to the first resilient element R1, the first flap portion R12 of the first resilient element R1 can be forced to separate from the first opening H1. Therefore, the fluid in the first chamber 11 can be driven to flow through the first opening H1 to the third chamber 13 (as the arrows indicate in FIG. 11).

Similarly, when the second driving force generated by the vibration of the second driving element P2 is applied to the second resilient element R2, a negative pressure is produced in the second chamber 12, whereby the second flap portion R22 of the second resilient element R2 can be forced to separate from the second opening H2. Therefore, the fluid in the third chamber 13 can be driven to flow through the second opening H2 to the second chamber 12 (as the arrows indicate in FIG. 11).

In some embodiments, the inlet 101 and outlet 102 of the fluid driving mechanism 100 may be connected to a cooling pipe system. When the periodic first and second driving signals are applied to the first and second driving elements P1 and P2, respectively, the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 can vibrate and drive the fluid to flow in circulation through the cooling pipes, so as to achieve rapid heat dissipation and cooling for mobile phones or other portable electronic devices.

In some embodiments, the frequency of the first and second driving signals is between 0.95 and 1.05 times the resonant frequency of the first resilient element R1 or the second resilient element R2, thus improving the performance of the fluid driving mechanism 100.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the first driving element P1 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of the first driving element P1 may have a hollow structure that includes an annular first fixed portion R11, a flap portion R12 a first resilient portion R13. The first fixed portion R11 is affixed to the main body 10, the first resilient portion R13 is connected between the first fixed portion R11 and the first flap portion R12, and the first hole R10 is formed between the first fixed portion R11 and the first flap portion R12.

In some embodiments, the first driving element P1 is disposed on the first flap portion R12, but not disposed on the first fixed portion R11 or the first resilient portion R13, so as to drive the first flap portion R12 moving relative to the first opening H1.

In some embodiments, the first driving element P1 is disposed on the first resilient portion R13, but not disposed on the first fixed portion R11 or the first flap portion R12, so as to drive the first flap portion R12 moving relative to the first opening H1.

In some embodiments, the first driving element P1 is disposed on the first fixed portion R11, but not disposed on the first flap portion R12 or the first resilient portion R13, so as to drive the first flap portion R12 moving relative to the first opening H1.

It should be noted that the second driving element P2 may have the same structure as shown in FIG. 12. The shape of the first and second driving elements P1 and P2 may be modified according to the design requirement, and it is not limited to the embodiments described in the present invention.

Although some embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many of the features, functions, processes, and materials described herein may be varied while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. Moreover, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.