Centrifugal micro-fluidic emulsification device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of emulsification, and discloses a centrifugal micro-fluidic emulsification device which comprises an outer barrel and further comprises an inner barrel, the inner barrel is vertically arranged in the center of the interior of the outer barrel, the top of the inner barrel is open, a plurality of first through holes are formed in the surface of the inner barrel, the first through holes are evenly distributed in the surface of the inner barrel in an arc shape, and a plurality of second through holes are formed in the surface of the inner barrel. A selective semi-permeable membrane is fixedly mounted on each first through hole; the micro-fluidic chip is rotatably mounted in the inner cylinder, the top of the micro-fluidic chip is open, a plurality of second through holes are formed in the surface of the micro-fluidic chip, and the plurality of second through holes are uniformly distributed in the surface of the micro-fluidic chip in an arc shape. Materials in the outer barrel and materials in the micro-fluidic chip are mixed, and the materials in the micro-fluidic chip are further uniformly spread in the outer barrel along with gradual change of coincidence of the first through hole and the second through hole, so that the emulsification uniformity of the materials is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Emulsification is the process of uniformly dispersing a liquid into extremely small droplets in another immiscible liquid. The resulting mixture is called an emulsion or emulsion body. The dispersed phase is called the dispersed phase or internal discontinuous phase, while the other phase is called the dispersion medium or external continuous phase. Emulsification technology is widely used in various aspects of our daily lives, such as food, chemicals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.

[0003] For example, the centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device disclosed in announcement number CN206391888U can emulsify materials, but the inner phase outlet cannot be changed during agitation emulsification, resulting in uneven mixing of the inner and outer phases and reducing the emulsification effect. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art by proposing a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device includes an outer tank and further includes: The inner cylinder is vertically set at the center inside the outer cylinder. The top of the inner cylinder is open. The surface of the inner cylinder has a through first hole. There are multiple first holes, which are evenly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the inner cylinder. A selective semi-permeable membrane is fixedly installed on each first hole. The microfluidic chip is rotatably mounted inside the inner cylinder. The top of the microfluidic chip is open, and multiple through-holes are opened on the surface of the microfluidic chip. The multiple through-holes are evenly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the microfluidic chip. The first and second through-holes cooperate to allow the material inside the microfluidic chip to be thrown out by the rotating microfluidic chip through centrifugal force. In addition, the position of the material thrown out of the microfluidic chip can be changed to ensure the uniformity of emulsification. The rotating component is located below the outer barrel and is used to rotate the inner barrel and the microfluidic chip. The inner barrel and the microfluidic chip rotate in the same direction, but with a certain speed difference, which ensures that the first through hole and the second through hole can overlap in sequence to change the discharge height of the material inside the microfluidic chip.

[0006] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a matching second cover plate is installed on the top of the inner cylinder, and a matching first cover plate is installed on the top of the outer cylinder. A discharge pipe is connected and installed below the surface of the outer cylinder. The first cover plate is used to seal the outer cylinder, and the second cover plate is used to seal the microfluidic chip. A valve is installed on the discharge pipe to control the opening and closing state of the discharge pipe, so as to facilitate the outflow of the emulsified material inside the outer cylinder.

[0007] As a further technical solution of the present invention, the rotating assembly includes: a base plate, which is horizontally disposed below the outer tub and does not contact the outer tub; spring rods are vertically fixedly installed at both ends of the top of the base plate, and the telescopic ends of the two spring rods are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer tub; the fixed ends and telescopic ends of the spring rods are slidably connected by splines for limiting the movement of the outer tub.

[0008] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a sleeve is vertically fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder, and a U-shaped frame is fixedly installed on the bottom plate. The end of the sleeve passes through the outer cylinder and the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame, and the sleeve is rotatably sleeved on the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame. The U-shaped frame is used to limit the position of the sleeve and also to support the inner cylinder.

[0009] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a sleeve rod is rotatably sleeved inside the sleeve, and the top end of the sleeve rod passes through the inner cylinder and is fixedly installed at the bottom center of the microfluidic chip, and the end of the sleeve rod passes through the end of the sleeve. The sleeve is used to limit the microfluidic chip.

[0010] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a first gear is fixedly sleeved on the surface of the sleeve, and the first gear is located below the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame. A second gear is rotatably installed at the bottom of the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame, and the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other. The diameter of the first gear is slightly smaller than that of the second gear, so that the rotation speed of the first gear is slightly faster than that of the second gear.

[0011] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a third gear is fixedly sleeved on the surface of the sleeve rod, and a fourth gear is horizontally arranged below the second gear. The third gear and the fourth gear mesh, and the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear have the same diameter, so as to achieve the same rotation speed of the second gear, the third gear and the fourth gear.

[0012] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a drive motor is installed on the top of the base plate, and the output shaft of the drive motor is installed at the center of the bottom of the fourth gear. A connecting column is vertically fixed at the center of the end face of the fourth gear, and the top of the connecting column is fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the second gear, which is used to drive the fourth gear to rotate, and then drive the third gear, the connecting column, the second gear and the first gear to rotate through the fourth gear.

[0013] As a further technical solution of the present invention, two inclined blocks evenly distributed in a ring are fixedly installed on the surface of the sleeve, and the inclined blocks are located above the horizontal edge of the U-shaped frame. Two fixed blocks evenly distributed in a ring are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer barrel. When the fixed blocks and the inclined blocks are in contact, the fixed blocks and the inclined blocks slide between each other.

[0014] As a further technical solution of the present invention, a stirring blade is fixedly installed on the surface of the inner cylinder, and there are multiple stirring blades. The multiple stirring blades are evenly fixedly installed on the surface of the inner cylinder to stir the material between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, so as to realize the mixing and emulsification of the material inside the microfluidic chip and the material inside the outer cylinder.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention, through the arrangement of the inner cylinder, microfluidic chip, and rotating component, allows the material rotating inside the microfluidic chip to be thrown out by centrifugal force when the first and second through holes coincide, thereby mixing the material inside the outer cylinder with the material inside the microfluidic chip. Furthermore, as the alignment of the first and second through holes gradually changes, the material inside the microfluidic chip is further evenly distributed inside the outer cylinder, ensuring the uniformity of emulsification of the material. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device proposed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the outer barrel of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device proposed in this invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the inner cylinder and microfluidic chip structure of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device proposed in this invention; Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the structure of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device proposed in this invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inner cylinder of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device proposed in this invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device after the separation of the microfluidic chip and the inner cylinder, as proposed in this invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Outer barrel; 2. First cover plate; 3. Bottom plate; 4. Discharge pipe; 5. Spring rod; 6. U-shaped frame; 7. Inner barrel; 8. Second cover plate; 9. Stirring blade; 10. First through hole; 11. Sleeve; 12. Sleeve rod; 13. Inclined block; 14. Fixing block; 15. First gear; 16. Second gear; 17. Connecting column; 18. Third gear; 19. Fourth gear; 20. Drive motor; 21. Microfluidic chip; 22. Second through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device includes an outer barrel 1, an inner barrel 7, a microfluidic chip 21, and a rotating assembly. The inner barrel 7 is vertically disposed at the center inside the outer barrel 1, and its top is open. Multiple through-holes 10 are formed on the surface of the inner barrel 7, and these through-holes 10 are evenly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the inner barrel 7. A selective semi-permeable membrane is fixedly installed on each through-hole 10. The microfluidic chip 21 is rotatably mounted inside the inner barrel 7, and its top is open. Multiple through-holes 22 are formed on the surface of the microfluidic chip 21. The material inside the microfluidic chip 21 is uniformly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the microfluidic chip 21. The first through hole 10 and the second through hole 22 cooperate to allow the material inside the microfluidic chip 21 to be thrown out by centrifugal force by the rotating microfluidic chip 21. In addition, the position of the material inside the microfluidic chip 21 can be changed to ensure the uniformity of emulsification. The rotating component is set below the outer barrel 1 and is used to rotate the inner barrel 7 and the microfluidic chip 21. The inner barrel 7 and the microfluidic chip 21 rotate in the same direction, but there is a certain speed difference, which ensures that the first through hole 10 and the second through hole 22 can overlap in sequence to change the discharge height of the material inside the microfluidic chip 21.

[0021] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7In a preferred embodiment, a matching second cover plate 8 is installed on the top of the inner cylinder 7, and a matching first cover plate 2 is installed on the top of the outer cylinder 1. A discharge pipe 4 is connected and installed below the surface of the outer cylinder 1. The first cover plate 2 is used to seal the outer cylinder 1, and the second cover plate 8 is used to seal the microfluidic chip 21. A valve is installed on the discharge pipe 4 to control the opening and closing state of the discharge pipe 4, so as to facilitate the outflow of the emulsified material inside the outer cylinder 1.

[0022] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, the rotating assembly includes: a base plate 3, which is horizontally positioned below the outer tub 1 and does not contact the outer tub 1. Spring rods 5 are vertically fixedly installed at both ends of the top of the base plate 3, and the telescopic ends of the two spring rods 5 are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer tub 1. The fixed end and the telescopic end of the spring rods 5 are slidably connected by a spline to limit the movement of the outer tub 1.

[0023] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, a sleeve 11 is vertically fixed at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder 7, and a U-shaped frame 6 is fixedly installed on the bottom plate 3. The end of the sleeve 11 passes through the outer cylinder 1 and the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame 6, and the sleeve 11 is rotatably sleeved on the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame 6. The U-shaped frame 6 is used to limit the sleeve 11 and also to support the inner cylinder 7.

[0024] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, a sleeve rod 12 is rotatably sleeved inside the sleeve 11, and the top end of the sleeve rod 12 passes through the inner cylinder 7 and is fixedly installed at the bottom center of the microfluidic chip 21. The end of the sleeve rod 12 passes through the end of the sleeve 11, and the sleeve 11 is used to limit the microfluidic chip 21.

[0025] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, a first gear 15 is fixedly sleeved on the surface of the sleeve 11, and the first gear 15 is located below the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame 6. A second gear 16 is rotatably installed at the bottom of the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame 6, and the first gear 15 and the second gear 16 mesh with each other. The diameter of the first gear 15 is slightly smaller than that of the second gear 16, so that the rotation speed of the first gear 15 is slightly faster than that of the second gear 16.

[0026] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7In a preferred embodiment, a third gear 18 is fixedly sleeved on the surface of the sleeve rod 12, and a fourth gear 19 is horizontally arranged below the second gear 16. The third gear 18 and the fourth gear 19 mesh with each other. The second gear 16, the third gear 18 and the fourth gear 19 have the same diameter, so as to achieve the same rotational speed of the second gear 16, the third gear 18 and the fourth gear 19.

[0027] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, a drive motor 20 is mounted on the top of the base plate 3, and the output shaft of the drive motor 20 is mounted at the bottom center of the fourth gear 19. A connecting column 17 is vertically fixed at the end center of the fourth gear 19, and the top of the connecting column 17 is fixedly mounted at the bottom center of the second gear 16, which is used to drive the fourth gear 19 to rotate, and then drive the third gear 18, the connecting column 17, the second gear 16 and the first gear 15 to rotate through the fourth gear 19.

[0028] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, two evenly distributed ramp blocks 13 are fixedly installed on the surface of the sleeve 11, and the ramp blocks 13 are located above the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame 6. Two evenly distributed fixed blocks 14 are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer barrel 1. When the fixed blocks 14 and the ramps of the ramp blocks 13 come into contact, the fixed blocks 14 and the ramps of the ramp blocks 13 slide together.

[0029] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment, a stirring blade 9 is fixedly installed on the surface of the inner cylinder 7, and there are multiple stirring blades 9. The multiple stirring blades 9 are evenly fixedly installed on the surface of the inner cylinder 7 to stir the material between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner cylinder 7, so as to realize the mixing and emulsification of the material inside the microfluidic chip 21 and the material inside the outer cylinder 1.

[0030] Open the first cover plate 2 and the second cover plate 8 and place the material to be emulsified between the outer barrel 1 and the inner barrel 7 and inside the microfluidic chip 21, then close the first cover plate 2 and the second cover plate 8. Next, the drive motor 20 is started, which drives the fourth gear 19 to rotate. The rotation of the fourth gear 19 drives the connecting column 17 and the third gear 18 to rotate. The rotation of the third gear 18 drives the sleeve rod 12 to rotate. The rotation of the sleeve rod 12 drives the microfluidic chip 21 and the second through hole 22 to rotate. The rotation of the microfluidic chip 21 will cause the material inside it to rotate, generating centrifugal force. The rotation of the connecting column 17 drives the second gear 16 to rotate. The rotation of the second gear 16 drives the first gear 15 to rotate faster. The rotation of the first gear 15 drives the sleeve 11 to rotate. The rotation of the sleeve 11 drives the ramp block 13 and the inner cylinder 7 to rotate. The rotation of the inner cylinder 7 drives the stirring blade and the first through hole 10 to rotate. Since the first gear 15 and the second gear 16 are different in size, the inner cylinder 7 and the microfluidic chip 21 will generate a speed difference. The multiple first through holes 10 and second through holes 22 will gradually overlap. The rotating agitator 9 drives the material inside the outer barrel 1 to rotate. In addition, when the first through hole 10 and the second through hole 22 are aligned, the rotating material inside the microfluidic chip 21 is thrown out by centrifugal force through the first through hole 10 and the second through hole 22, so that the material inside the outer barrel 1 and the material inside the microfluidic chip 21 are mixed. As the alignment of the first through hole 10 and the second through hole 22 gradually changes, the material inside the microfluidic chip 21 will be evenly distributed inside the outer barrel 1, ensuring the uniformity of emulsification of the material. Furthermore, the rotating ramp block 13 will contact the fixed block 14. After the ramp block 13 contacts the fixed block 14, it will drive the fixed block 14 to move upward. The upward movement of the fixed block 14 will drive the outer barrel 1 to move upward, which will further cause the material inside the outer barrel 1 to move upward. When the ramp block 13 and the fixed block 14 separate, the pulling force generated by the spring rod 5 will cause the outer barrel 1 to move downward. The downward movement of the outer barrel 1 will drive the material inside the outer barrel 1 to move downward. In summary, this process repeats, so that the material inside the outer barrel 1 is stirred by the stirring blade 9 and also changed by the up and down movement of the outer barrel 1, which further improves the mixing and emulsification effect of the material, thereby improving the use effect of the equipment.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device, comprising an outer barrel (1), characterized in that, Also includes: The inner cylinder (7) is vertically arranged at the center inside the outer cylinder (1). The top of the inner cylinder (7) is open. The surface of the inner cylinder (7) is provided with a through first hole (10). There are multiple first holes (10). The multiple first holes (10) are evenly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the inner cylinder (7). A selective semi-permeable membrane is fixedly installed on each first hole (10). Microfluidic chip (21), the microfluidic chip (21) is rotatably installed inside the inner cylinder (7), the top of the microfluidic chip (21) is open, and the surface of the microfluidic chip (21) is provided with a through second through hole (22). There are multiple second through holes (22), and the multiple second through holes (22) are evenly distributed in an arc shape on the surface of the microfluidic chip (21). A rotating assembly is disposed below the outer barrel (1) and is used to rotate the inner barrel (7) and the microfluidic chip (21).

2. The centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cylinder (7) is equipped with a matching second cover plate (8) at the top, and the outer cylinder (1) is equipped with a matching first cover plate (2) at the top. A discharge pipe (4) is connected to the lower surface of the outer cylinder (1).

3. The centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating assembly includes: a base plate (3), which is horizontally positioned below the outer barrel (1) and does not contact the outer barrel (1). Both ends of the top of the base plate (3) are vertically fixedly installed with spring rods (5), and the telescopic ends of the two spring rods (5) are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer barrel (1).

4. The centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sleeve (11) is vertically fixed at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder (7), and a U-shaped frame (6) is fixedly installed on the bottom plate (3). The end of the sleeve (11) passes through the outer cylinder (1) and the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame (6), and the sleeve (11) is rotated and sleeved on the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame (6).

5. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sleeve (11) is rotatably fitted with a sleeve rod (12), and the top end of the sleeve rod (12) passes through the inner cylinder (7) and is fixedly installed at the bottom center of the microfluidic chip (21). The end of the sleeve rod (12) passes through the end of the sleeve (11).

6. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sleeve (11) is fixedly fitted with a first gear (15), and the first gear (15) is located below the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame (6). A second gear (16) is rotatably installed at the bottom of the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame (6), and the first gear (15) and the second gear (16) mesh with each other.

7. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sleeve (12) is fixedly sleeved with a third gear (18), and a fourth gear (19) is horizontally arranged below the second gear (16). The third gear (18) and the fourth gear (19) mesh.

8. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The base plate (3) is equipped with a drive motor (20) on top, and the output shaft of the drive motor (20) is installed at the bottom center of the fourth gear (19). A connecting column (17) is vertically fixed at the end face center of the fourth gear (19), and the top of the connecting column (17) is fixedly installed at the bottom center of the second gear (16).

9. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 8, characterized in that, Two inclined blocks (13) are fixedly installed on the surface of the sleeve (11) in a ring-shaped even distribution, and the inclined blocks (13) are located above the horizontal side of the U-shaped frame (6). Two fixed blocks (14) are fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer barrel (1) in a ring-shaped even distribution.

10. A centrifugal microfluidic emulsification device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The inner cylinder (7) is fixedly installed with stirring blades (9), and there are multiple stirring blades (9), which are evenly fixedly installed on the surface of the inner cylinder (7).

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