Droplet generation device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of droplet generation and discloses a droplet generation device. The droplet generation device comprises an electrically-conductive electrically-conductive seat, a liquid storage assembly, a first cover plate, a liquid guide assembly and a pressure structure. The electrically-conductive seat is provided with a plurality of rectangularly-arrayed mounting grooves. The liquid storage assembly is correspondingly provided with a plurality of liquid storage structures and is correspondingly arranged in the mounting grooves. The liquid storage structures are provided with liquid storage cavities for storing second liquid. The first cover plate covers the liquid storage structures. The liquid guide assembly comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive liquid guide structures. The liquid guide structures are arranged on the first cover plate and extend through the first cover plate into the liquid storage cavities. Adjacent two liquid guide structures in the same column and / or the same row are connected. The liquid guide structure comprises a liquid guide pipe and a liquid storage pool for storing first liquid. The liquid guide pipe is connected with the liquid storage pool and the liquid storage cavity. When droplets are generated, the pressure structure is arranged on the first cover plate. The droplet generation device can be stably and rapidly mass-produced, and the production yield of the generated droplets is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of droplet generation technology, and more particularly to a droplet generation device. Background Technology

[0002] Most existing droplet generation technologies utilize devices formed by microchannels within microfluidic chips to generate droplets. This method requires the simultaneous flow of an aqueous phase and an oil phase, with the surface tension of the liquid and the shape of the channel working together to generate droplets. Alternatively, centrifugal force or the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the surface, or low-frequency mechanical vibration combined with the flow of the aqueous phase, can be used to generate droplets within a static oil phase.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned technical solutions all have drawbacks such as intricate and complex device structures, high costs, cumbersome operation, and a narrow adjustable range for droplet size, which are not conducive to stable and rapid mass production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a droplet generation device that addresses the technical problem that existing droplet generation technologies are not conducive to stable, rapid, and large-scale production.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a droplet generating apparatus for generating droplets of a first liquid in a second liquid, wherein the second liquid and the first liquid are immiscible, and the droplet generating apparatus comprises:

[0006] A conductive base, wherein the conductive base is a conductor, and the conductive base is provided with multiple mounting slots arranged in a rectangular array;

[0007] A liquid storage assembly, comprising multiple liquid storage structures, each liquid storage structure being correspondingly disposed within the mounting groove, each liquid storage structure having a liquid storage chamber for storing a second liquid;

[0008] A first cover plate is fitted onto the liquid storage structure;

[0009] A liquid guiding assembly includes multiple liquid guiding structures arranged in a rectangular array. Each liquid guiding structure is a conductor and is disposed on a first cover plate, extending through the first cover plate into the liquid storage cavity. Adjacent liquid guiding structures in the same column and / or row are electrically connected. Each liquid guiding structure includes a liquid storage tank and a liquid guiding tube. The liquid storage tank stores a first liquid, and the upper opening of the liquid guiding tube communicates with the lower opening of the liquid storage tank. When droplets are generated, the lower opening of the liquid guiding tube is below the surface of the second liquid in the liquid storage cavity. The first cover plate is used to confine the liquid guiding assembly to the liquid storage structure, and the first cover plate has multiple through holes arranged in a matrix array for the liquid guiding assembly to pass through.

[0010] The pressure structure is fitted onto the first cover plate when droplets are generated, and the pressure outlet of the pressure structure faces the upper opening of the liquid storage tank.

[0011] During droplet generation, an electric field force is formed between the conductive base and the liquid-conducting structure to generate droplets.

[0012] Optionally, in one embodiment, the pressure structure includes a pressure upper cover and a pressure lower cover, the pressure upper cover being fitted onto the pressure lower cover to form a sealed cavity, the pressure upper cover having a first through hole for inputting air pressure, the pressure lower cover being fitted onto the first cover plate, and the pressure lower cover having a plurality of second through holes arranged in a rectangular array, the second through holes being directly opposite the liquid storage tank.

[0013] Optionally, in one embodiment, the first cover plate includes a first cover plate body, a second cover plate body, and a plurality of sealing elements. The first cover plate body is provided with a plurality of third through holes arranged in a rectangular array, and the second cover plate body is provided with a plurality of fourth through holes arranged in a rectangular array corresponding to the third through holes. The first cover plate body is disposed on the second cover plate body. The sealing elements are disposed on the liquid storage structure by passing through the third through holes and the fourth through holes in sequence and sealing the liquid storage cavity. The sealing elements are hollow structures, and the liquid storage pool is disposed inside the sealing elements. The liquid guide tube passes through the sealing elements and extends into the liquid storage cavity.

[0014] Optionally, in one embodiment, the top of the liquid guiding structure is provided with a lug, the top of the seal is provided with a first groove, the lug is embedded in the first groove, the end of the lug protrudes from the side wall of the seal and is connected to the ends of two adjacent lugs located in the same column and / or the same row.

[0015] Optionally, in one embodiment, the seal is provided with a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and the first cover plate body is sleeved on the seal and pressed against the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0016] Optionally, in one embodiment, the liquid storage assembly further includes a fixing plate, the fixing plate having a plurality of fifth through holes distributed in a rectangular array corresponding to the fourth through hole, the fifth through holes having a first port at the bottom and a second port at the top, one end of the liquid storage structure passing through the first port and the second port and the first port being fixed inside the fifth through hole, and the sealing member passing through the second port and disposed on the liquid storage structure.

[0017] Optionally, in one embodiment, the liquid storage structure is provided with a first convex ring and a second convex ring. The first convex ring is disposed at the end of the liquid storage structure, and the second convex ring is located below the first convex ring. The first convex ring and the second convex ring form a third groove. A third protrusion is correspondingly provided in the fifth through hole, and the third protrusion is disposed in the third groove.

[0018] Optionally, in one embodiment, the pressure cover is provided with a plurality of fourth protrusions, which are pressed against the liquid guiding structure. Each fourth protrusion is provided with a sixth through hole, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the second through hole. The second through hole communicates with the liquid storage tank through the sixth through hole.

[0019] Optionally, in one embodiment, when generating droplets, the pressure structure further includes a locking element, one end of which is disposed on the pressure structure and the other end of which is disposed on the second cover plate body.

[0020] Optionally, in one embodiment, the second cover plate body has an "L" shaped structure.

[0021] In the technical solution provided by this invention, a certain amount of the second liquid is first placed in the liquid storage cavity of the liquid storage structure. Then, multiple liquid storage structures that have already stored the second liquid are correspondingly inserted into the fifth through hole of the fixing plate. The multiple liquid storage structures can be placed in the mounting groove of the conductive base simply by lifting and aligning the fixing plate. The first cover plate has multiple through holes distributed in a rectangular array corresponding to the fifth through hole. Multiple liquid guiding structures are respectively disposed in the through holes, and adjacent liquid guiding structures located in the same column and / or row are connected. The liquid guiding structure is conductive, facilitating rapid liquid delivery. The liquid-conducting structure is energized, and then the first cover plate is placed on the liquid storage structure, extending the liquid-conducting structure into the liquid storage cavity. The sample solution is then added to the liquid storage pool of the conductive structure using other tools. The pressure structure is then attached to the first cover plate, with a first through-hole for inputting air pressure. Simultaneously with inputting air pressure, the conductive base and the liquid-conducting structure are energized. The air pressure, through the second through-hole of the pressure structure, forces the sample solution in the liquid storage cavity to the outlet of the liquid-conducting tube, forming a Taylor cone, which then forms droplets and is stored in the second liquid. The second liquid and the sample solution are immiscible. This solution generates droplets directly from the static second liquid within the liquid-conducting structure using the principle of electrospraying. By adjusting the current parameters (voltage and / or frequency) connected to the conductive base and the liquid-conducting structure, the size of the formed droplets can be adjusted over a wide range. Furthermore, it does not require a separate droplet generation chip, nor does it require complex moving mechanical components such as centrifugal shafts or multiple fluid pumps. The device structure and operation are extremely simple, and the device structure is easy to manufacture and has low cost, enabling the droplet generation device to be stably and rapidly mass-produced. Attached Figure Description

[0022] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a droplet generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the sealing element and the fluid guiding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the combination of the sealing element and the fluid guiding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram showing the combination of the liquid guiding structure, the sealing element, and the first cover plate body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the combination of a sealing element, a liquid guiding structure, and a liquid storage structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the droplet generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention when the pressure structure is not compressed.

[0029] Among them, 10 is a droplet generating device; 11 is a conductive base; 110 is a mounting groove; 13 is a liquid storage assembly; 130 is a liquid storage structure; 131 is a liquid storage chamber; 132 is a fixing plate; 133 is a fifth through hole; 134 is a first convex ring; 135 is a second convex ring; 136 is a third groove; 137 is a third protrusion; 14 is a first cover plate; 140 is a first cover plate body; 141 is a second cover plate body; 142 is a sealing element; 143 is a third through hole; 144 is a fourth through hole; 145 is a fourth through hole; 147. First groove; 148. First protrusion; 149. Second protrusion; 150. First stepped through hole; 16. Second stepped through hole; 17. Liquid guiding component; 180. Liquid guiding structure; 181. Liquid storage tank; 182. Liquid guiding pipe; 183. Lug; 184. Pressure structure; 185. Pressure upper cover; 186. Pressure lower cover; 187. First through hole; 188. Second through hole; 19. Fourth protrusion; 100. Sixth through hole; 101. Locking fastener; 112. Fourth groove. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only. In the description of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise stated, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "multiple" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0031] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections via an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. All technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present invention, the formation of water-in-oil droplets from the sample solution in the oil phase by electrospray is used as an example for illustration. Of course, this does not mean that it is limited to only these two methods of forming droplets. Other droplet formation methods in the same way should also be understood to be within the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a droplet generating device 10. The droplet generating device 10 is used to generate droplets of a first liquid in a second liquid. The second liquid and the first liquid are immiscible. The droplet generating device 10 includes a conductive base 11, a liquid storage assembly 13, a first cover plate 14, a liquid guiding assembly 16, and a pressure structure 18. The conductive base 11 is a conductor and has multiple rectangular arrayed mounting grooves 110. The liquid storage assembly 13 includes multiple liquid storage structures 130. Structure 130 is correspondingly disposed within the mounting groove 110. The liquid storage structure 130 has a liquid storage chamber 131 for storing a second liquid. The first cover plate 14 covers the liquid storage structure 130. The liquid guiding assembly 16 includes multiple liquid guiding structures 160 arranged in a rectangular array. Each of the multiple liquid guiding structures 160 is a conductor. All of the multiple liquid guiding structures 160 are disposed on the first cover plate 14 and extend through the first cover plate 14 into the liquid storage chamber 131, and are located in the same column. The liquid guiding structure 160 is electrically connected to two adjacent liquid guiding structures 160 in the same row. Each liquid guiding structure 160 includes a liquid storage tank 161 and a liquid guiding tube 162. The liquid storage tank 161 stores a first liquid (sample solution). The opening of the liquid storage tank 161 faces outward from the first cover plate 14. The upper opening of the liquid guiding tube 162 communicates with the lower opening of the liquid storage tank 161. When droplets are generated, the lower opening of the liquid guiding tube 162 is located below the liquid surface of the second liquid in the liquid storage chamber 131. The first cover plate 14 is used to... The liquid guiding component 13 is located on the liquid storage structure 130. The first cover plate 14 has a plurality of through holes arranged in a matrix array for the liquid guiding component to pass through. When generating droplets, the pressure structure 18 is fitted onto the first cover plate 14, and the pressure outlet of the pressure structure 18 is directly opposite the upper opening of the liquid storage tank 161. When generating droplets, an electric field force for generating droplets is formed between the conductive base 11 and the liquid guiding structure 160. The rectangular array distribution can be 1*N or M*N.

[0035] Specifically, the liquid storage assembly 13 further includes a fixing plate 132, which has a plurality of rectangular arrayed fifth through holes 133; the liquid storage structure 130 can be a PCR tube, and the liquid guide tube 162 has a needle-like structure with an inclined cut at the bottom; the power input to the conductive base 11 and the liquid guide structure 160 is preferably an AC power supply, and the size of the droplets can be adjusted by changing the voltage and / or frequency of the AC power.

[0036] The conductive base 11 is made of a material that is both conductive and thermally conductive, such as metal. A heating structure is then installed within the conductive base 11 to heat it. In other existing methods, after generating water-in-oil droplets, they need to be moved to other equipment for amplification. During this movement, the droplets are easily contaminated, and the water-in-oil state can be broken. In this embodiment, after the sample solution is completely converted into droplets, the heating structure is activated to heat and amplify the liquid storage structure 130 placed on the conductive base 11. This in-situ amplification increases the droplet production rate, eliminates the need to move the liquid storage structure 130 containing the droplets, saves time and effort, is highly efficient, and prevents external contamination of the droplets. Since in-situ heating and amplification are required after droplet formation, the liquid storage structure 130 needs to be fitted into the mounting groove 110.

[0037] In this embodiment, a certain amount of the second liquid is first placed in the liquid storage cavity 131 of the liquid storage structure 130. Then, multiple liquid storage structures 130 containing the second liquid are correspondingly inserted into the fifth through hole 133 of the fixing plate 132. The multiple liquid storage structures 130 can be placed in the mounting groove 110 of the conductive base 11 simply by lifting and aligning the fixing plate 132. The operation is simple, convenient and quick. The first cover plate 14 is provided with multiple through holes distributed in a rectangular array corresponding to the fifth through hole 133. Multiple liquid guiding structures 160 are respectively arranged in the through holes, and adjacent liquid guiding structures 160 located in the same column and / or the same row are connected. The liquid guiding structure 160 is a conductor, which facilitates quick liquid guiding. The conductive structure 160 is powered on, allowing for convenient and quick operation. The first cover plate 14 is then placed over the liquid storage structure 130, extending the liquid guiding structure 160 into the liquid storage chamber 131. Another tool (e.g., a syringe) is used to add the sample solution into the liquid storage chamber 161 of the conductive structure. The pressure structure 18 is then attached to the first cover plate 14, with a first through-hole 182 for inputting air pressure. Simultaneously, air pressure is input to the pressure structure 18, and the conductive base 11 and the liquid guiding structure 160 are powered on. The air pressure, through the second through-hole 183 of the pressure structure 18, forces the sample solution in the liquid storage chamber 131 to the outlet of the liquid guiding tube 162, forming a Taylor cone, which then forms droplets and is stored in the second liquid. The second liquid and the sample solution are immiscible.

[0038] This solution generates droplets directly from the static second liquid within the liquid-guiding structure 160 using the principle of electrospraying. The size of the formed droplets can be adjusted over a wide range by regulating the current parameters (voltage and / or frequency) connected to the conductive base 11 and the liquid-guiding structure 160. It eliminates the need for a separate droplet generation chip, centrifugal shafts, or complex moving mechanical components such as multiple fluid pumps. By combining the core droplet-generating components—the liquid-guiding structure 160 and the liquid storage structure 130—into multiple configurations and placing them within the arrayed mounting slots 110 of the conductive base 11, and by supplying air pressure to the pressure structure 18 and energizing the liquid-guiding structure 160 and the conductive base 11, droplets can be generated within multiple liquid storage chambers 131. This allows the droplet generation device 10 to generate droplets in batches. Furthermore, the device structure and operation are extremely simple, and the manufacturing process is straightforward and cost-effective, enabling stable and rapid mass production of the droplet generation device 10.

[0039] For the first liquid to form a Taylor cone at the outlet of the liquid guide tube 162, the first liquid needs to be conductive, and the second liquid needs to be non-conductive. Typically, if further reactions are desired to continue within the droplets formed by the first liquid, the first liquid is an aqueous phase, and the second liquid is an oil phase. The first and second liquids are immiscible. Generally, the density of the first liquid is greater than that of the second liquid, ensuring that when the droplets of the first liquid are stably dispersed in the second liquid, the droplets are below the surface of the second liquid, thus preventing the droplets from floating on the surface of the second liquid.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the pressure structure 18 includes a pressure upper cover 180 and a pressure lower cover 181. The pressure upper cover 180 covers the pressure lower cover 181 to form a sealed cavity. The pressure upper cover 180 is provided with a first through hole 182 for inputting air pressure. The pressure lower cover 181 is attached to the first cover plate 14. The pressure lower cover 181 is provided with a plurality of second through holes 183 distributed in a rectangular array. The second through holes 183 face the liquid storage tank 161.

[0041] Specifically, the lower pressure cover 181 is provided with a fourth groove 188, and the pressure structure 18 also includes a sealing gasket. The sealing gasket is disposed in the fourth groove 188, and the height of the sealing gasket is greater than the height of the fourth groove 188. When the upper pressure cover 180 is placed on the lower pressure cover 181, the sealing gasket is squeezed by the upper pressure cover 180, so that the upper pressure cover 180 and the lower pressure cover 181 better form a sealed cavity. When air pressure is input through the first through hole 182, the air pressure drives the sample solution from the liquid guide tube 162 into the oil tank. Under the action of the electric field force between the conductive seat 11 and the liquid guide structure 160, droplets are formed and wrapped in the oil phase, without the need for an additional structure to transport the sample solution.

[0042] Furthermore, the pressure cover 181 is provided with a plurality of fourth protrusions 184, which are pressed against the liquid guiding structure 160. The fourth protrusions 184 are provided with a sixth through hole 185, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the second through hole 183. The second through hole 183 is connected to the liquid storage tank 161 through the sixth through hole 185. By providing multiple fourth protrusions 184 on the bottom surface of the pressure cover 181, the pressure structure 18 is aligned and pressed against the liquid guiding structure 160 through the multiple fourth protrusions 184 during installation, preventing misalignment between the pressure structure 18 and the liquid guiding structure 160 during operation of the droplet generating device 10, which would lead to air pressure leakage. A sixth through hole 185 is provided in the fourth protrusion 184, with the diameter of the sixth through hole 185 being smaller than the diameter of the second through hole 183. At this time, the sixth through hole 185 is equivalent to a transition chamber for transitioning air pressure, first transitioning from the larger second through hole 183 to the smaller sixth through hole 185, and then being transported from the smaller sixth through hole 185 to the liquid storage tank 161, thereby driving the first liquid to flow to the outlet of the liquid guiding pipe 162.

[0043] In one embodiment, the liquid storage assembly 13 further includes a fixing plate 132. The fixing plate 132 is provided with a plurality of fifth through holes 133 distributed in a rectangular array corresponding to the fourth through hole 144. The fifth through hole 133 has a first port located at the bottom and a second port located at the top. One end of the liquid storage structure 130 passes through the first port and the second port, and the first port is fixed in the fifth through hole 133. The sealing member 142 passes through the second port and is disposed on the liquid storage structure 130.

[0044] The first cover plate 14 includes a first cover plate body 14, a second cover plate body 141, and a plurality of sealing elements 142. The first cover plate body 14 has a plurality of third through holes 143 arranged in a rectangular array. The second cover plate body 141 has a plurality of fourth through holes 144 arranged in a rectangular array corresponding to the third through holes 143. The first cover plate body 14 is disposed on the second cover plate body 141. The sealing elements 142 are disposed on the liquid storage structure 130 by passing through the third through holes 143 and the fourth through holes 144 in sequence, and seal the liquid storage cavity 131. The sealing element 142 has a hollow structure. The liquid storage tank 161 is disposed inside the sealing element 142. The liquid guide tube 162 passes through the sealing element 142 and extends into the liquid storage cavity 131. Specifically, the second cover plate body 141 has an "L" shaped structure; the bottom of the sealing member 142 is chamfered, which makes it more convenient for the sealing member 142 to be covered onto the liquid storage structure 130, without requiring the user to precisely align it.

[0045] Furthermore, the top of the liquid guiding structure 160 is provided with a lug 163, and the top of the sealing member 142 is provided with a first groove 145. The lug 163 is embedded in the first groove 145, and the end of the lug 163 protrudes out of the side wall of the sealing member 142 and is connected to the ends of two adjacent lugs 163 located in the same column and / or the same row.

[0046] In this embodiment, each sealing element 142 is first fitted onto each liquid guiding structure 160, and the lug 163 on the top of the liquid guiding structure 160 is inserted into the first groove 145 on the top of the sealing element 142 for limiting its position, preventing the liquid guiding structure 160 from rotating within the sealing element 142. The lug 163 extends beyond the outer side of the first groove 145. Then, the assembled liquid guiding structure 160 is inserted into each of the third through holes 143 of the first cover plate body 14, and the lugs 163 of adjacent liquid guiding structures 160 located in the same column and / or row are connected. This is because when the liquid guiding structure 160 is energized, only one liquid guiding structure 160 in each column or row needs to be energized to energize the entire column or row, eliminating the need to energize each individual liquid guiding structure 160, thus reducing workload and facilitating operation. Quickly, the assembled liquid guiding structure 160, sealing element 142, and first cover plate body 14 are then installed on the second cover plate body 141. During assembly, the liquid guiding structure 160 and sealing element 142 are inserted into the fourth through hole 144 of the second cover plate body 141. At this time, the first cover plate body 14 is fixed to the second cover plate body 141 by a connector. Then, the assembled liquid guiding structure 160, sealing element 142, first cover plate body 14, and second cover plate body 141 are installed on the fixing plate 132. During installation, each sealing element 142 seals one liquid storage structure 130. Because the second cover plate body 141 has an "L" shaped structure, it can play a role in alignment during assembly. Then, the pressure structure 18 is set on the second cover plate body 141 to complete the assembly of the entire droplet generating device 10. The device is simple, easy and quick to assemble, and low in cost, enabling stable and rapid mass production of the droplet generating device 10. Furthermore, each droplet generating device 10 is equipped with multiple droplet generating components, thus allowing for the batch generation of droplets.

[0047] Further, the sealing member 142 is provided with a first protrusion 147 and a second protrusion 148. The first cover plate body 14 is sleeved on the sealing member 142 and pressed against the first protrusion 147 and the second protrusion 148. Specifically, the fourth through hole 144 is a stepped hole, which includes a first stepped through hole 149 and a second stepped through hole 150. The first stepped through hole 149 is located directly above the second stepped through hole 150. The diameter of the first stepped through hole 149 is larger than the diameter of the second stepped through hole 150. By providing the first protrusion 147 and the second protrusion 148 on the sealing member 142, when the sealing member 142 is sequentially inserted into the third through hole 143 of the first cover plate body 14 and the second cover plate body 141... In the fourth through hole 144, the first cover plate body 14 and the second cover plate body 141 are fixed together by a connector. At this time, the first cover plate body 14 is pressed against the top of the first protrusion 147 and the top of the second protrusion 148, and the first protrusion 147 and the second protrusion 148 are pressed against the end face of the second stepped through hole 150 of the second cover plate body 141, so that the sealing member 142 is pressed into the third through hole 143 of the second cover plate body 141 to avoid shaking.

[0048] Furthermore, the liquid storage structure 130 is provided with a first protruding ring 134 and a second protruding ring 135. The first protruding ring 134 is disposed at the end of the liquid storage structure 130, and the second protruding ring 135 is located below the first protruding ring 134. The first protruding ring 134 and the second protruding ring 135 form a third groove 136. A third protrusion 137 is correspondingly provided in the fifth through hole 133, and the third protrusion 137 is disposed in the third groove 136. By providing the first protruding ring 134 and the second protruding ring 135 on each liquid storage structure 130, a third groove 136 is formed. When the liquid storage structure 130 is inserted into the fifth through hole 133 of the fixing plate 132, the protrusion disposed in the fifth through hole 133 is engaged in the third groove 136 for limiting.

[0049] Furthermore, the bottom of the liquid storage structure 130 is set in a conical shape, and the mounting groove 110 is a corresponding conical groove structure. The liquid storage structure 130 is disposed within the mounting groove 110. The mounting groove 110, in conjunction with the conductive structure, forms an electric field, which better enables the sample solution to form a Taylor cone at the outlet of the liquid guide tube 162, thereby better forming droplets through the principle of electrospraying. It should be understood that although the bottom of the liquid storage structure 130 is set in a conical shape, the tip of the cone can be changed to a spherical shape or other shapes. Furthermore, the taper of the bottom of the liquid storage structure 130 is set to be the same as the taper of the mounting groove 110. This ensures that when the liquid storage structure 130 is placed into the mounting groove 110, the sidewall of the liquid storage structure 130 fits more closely to the inner sidewall of the mounting groove 110, resulting in more stable fixation and increased contact area between the conductive base 11 and the liquid storage structure 130, leading to more uniform heating of the liquid storage structure 130.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, when generating droplets, the pressure structure 18 also includes a locking member 186. One end of the locking member 186 is disposed on the pressure structure 18, and the other end is disposed on the second cover plate body 141. By connecting the pressure lower cover 181 of the pressure structure 18 and the second cover plate body 141 with the locking member 186, after the droplet generating device 10 has finished working, the pressure structure 18 can be lifted first to separate it from the first cover plate body 14. At this time, sample solution can be added to the liquid guiding structure 160 located on the first cover plate body 14 through a spray gun for easy addition of sample solution. Alternatively, the pressure structure 18 can be lifted further, and the pressure structure 18 will lift the second cover plate body 141 in conjunction with it, separating the liquid guiding structure 160 from the liquid storage structure 130 for easy removal of droplets. The operation is simple and convenient.

[0051] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Under the concept of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the present invention as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A droplet generating device, characterized in that, The droplet generating device is used to generate droplets of the first liquid in a second liquid, wherein the second liquid and the first liquid are immiscible, and the droplet generating device comprises: A conductive base, wherein the conductive base is a conductor, and the conductive base is provided with multiple mounting slots arranged in a rectangular array; A liquid storage assembly, comprising multiple liquid storage structures, each liquid storage structure being correspondingly disposed within the mounting groove, each liquid storage structure having a liquid storage chamber for storing a second liquid; A first cover plate is fitted onto the liquid storage structure; A liquid guiding assembly includes multiple liquid guiding structures arranged in a rectangular array. Each liquid guiding structure is a conductor and is disposed on a first cover plate, extending through the first cover plate into the liquid storage cavity. Adjacent liquid guiding structures in the same column and / or row are electrically connected. Each liquid guiding structure includes a liquid storage tank and a liquid guiding tube. The liquid storage tank stores a first liquid, and the upper opening of the liquid guiding tube communicates with the lower opening of the liquid storage tank. When droplets are generated, the lower opening of the liquid guiding tube is below the surface of the second liquid in the liquid storage cavity. The first cover plate is used to confine the liquid guiding assembly to the liquid storage structure, and the first cover plate has multiple through holes arranged in a matrix array for the liquid guiding assembly to pass through. The pressure structure is fitted onto the first cover plate when droplets are generated, and the pressure outlet of the pressure structure faces the upper opening of the liquid storage tank. When droplets are generated, an electric field force is formed between the conductive base and the liquid-conducting structure to generate droplets. The pressure structure includes an upper pressure cover and a lower pressure cover. The upper pressure cover is fitted onto the lower pressure cover to form a sealed cavity. The upper pressure cover has a first through hole for inputting air pressure. The lower pressure cover is fitted onto the first cover plate. The lower pressure cover has multiple second through holes arranged in a rectangular array, with the second through holes facing the liquid storage tank. The first liquid is a conductive liquid, and the second liquid is a non-conductive liquid.

2. The droplet generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cover plate includes a first cover plate body, a second cover plate body, and multiple sealing elements. The first cover plate body has multiple third through holes arranged in a rectangular array, and the second cover plate body has multiple fourth through holes arranged in a rectangular array corresponding to the third through holes. The first cover plate body is disposed on the second cover plate body. The sealing elements are disposed on the liquid storage structure by passing through the third through holes and the fourth through holes in sequence and sealing the liquid storage cavity. The sealing elements are hollow structures, and the liquid storage pool is disposed inside the sealing elements. The liquid guide tube passes through the sealing elements and extends into the liquid storage cavity.

3. The droplet generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the liquid guiding structure is provided with a lug, and the top of the sealing member is provided with a first groove. The lug is embedded in the first groove, and the end of the lug protrudes from the side wall of the sealing member and is connected to the ends of two adjacent lugs located in the same column and / or the same row.

4. The droplet generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sealing element is provided with a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first cover plate body is sleeved on the sealing element and pressed against the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

5. The droplet generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid storage assembly also includes a fixing plate, which has a plurality of fifth through holes distributed in a rectangular array corresponding to the fourth through hole. Each fifth through hole has a first port at the bottom and a second port at the top. One end of the liquid storage structure passes through the first port and the second port, and the first port is fixed inside the fifth through hole. The sealing element passes through the second port and is disposed on the liquid storage structure.

6. The droplet generating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The liquid storage structure is provided with a first convex ring and a second convex ring. The first convex ring is disposed at the end of the liquid storage structure, and the second convex ring is located below the first convex ring. The first convex ring and the second convex ring form a third groove. A third protrusion is correspondingly provided in the fifth through hole, and the third protrusion is disposed in the third groove.

7. The droplet generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure cover is provided with a plurality of fourth protrusions, which are pressed against the liquid guiding structure. Each fourth protrusion is provided with a sixth through hole, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the second through hole. The second through hole is connected to the liquid storage tank through the sixth through hole.

8. The droplet generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When droplets are generated, the pressure structure also includes a locking element, one end of which is disposed on the pressure structure and the other end of which is disposed on the second cover plate body.

9. The droplet generating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second cover plate body has an "L" shaped structure.

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