Direction-controllable micro-droplet generation chip

Abstract

The utility model discloses a direction-controllable micro-droplet generation chip, which comprises a chip body, a pressure bin is formed in the chip body, and a piezoelectric device is arranged on one side wall of the pressure bin; a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel which are communicated with a cavity in the pressure bin are formed in the upper end and the lower end of the pressure bin respectively. The fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel are both of an inverted trapezoidal structure. According to the micro-droplet generation chip disclosed by the utility model, through the design of the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel which are provided with the inverted trapezoidal cross sections, the micro-droplet generation chip can generate directional pressure and complete fluid supply and micro-droplet generation only through the micro-droplet generation chip without depending on external power equipment; besides, the splicing structure of the micro-droplet generation chip enables a plurality of chips to be spliced according to needs so as to meet different requirements in different application scenes, and the micro-droplet generation chip is wide in application range and can be suitable for generation of micro-droplets of liquid with various properties such as water-based liquid, oil-based liquid and the like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a micro -fluidic technology, concretely relates to a direction controllable micro -liquid drop generation chip. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, there is a wide demand for how to accurately operate micro-liquid in the fields of chemistry, biology, environmental detection, medical clinical detection, food, pharmaceutical, micro-nano material research and development, micro-nano structure forming, etc. Accurate segmentation of liquid to generate micro-droplets is the key technology in micro-liquid operation, and also a difficult problem to be solved in the field.

[0003] In recent years, a variety of micro-droplet generation methods have been disclosed in domestic and foreign literatures, including spray emulsification method, membrane emulsification method, micro-fluidic chip method, and liquid injection jetting method. Among them, CN113996354B discloses a micro-droplet generation device, generation method and use, which comprises a pressure balance module and a piezoelectric nozzle connected by a micro-liquid pipeline, wherein the piezoelectric nozzle comprises a capillary tube and a piezoelectric ceramic arranged in the peripheral part of the capillary tube, the piezoelectric ceramic is electrically connected to the power supply module, and the pressure balance module is used to inject liquid into the capillary tube and maintain the liquid in the capillary tube without flowing out. The technology is based on the different deformation states of piezoelectric ceramic under different voltage driving, and the periodic compression and expansion of the capillary tube are controlled by adjusting the driving voltage peak value and the output waveform of the driving voltage of the power supply module, so as to form micro-droplets of different sizes.

[0004] CN118634872A discloses a high-precision controllable jet flow and micro-droplet synchronous generation device, which comprises a droplet generator; a constant temperature water bath machine connected to one end of the water inlet of the droplet generator, the constant temperature water bath machine is connected with the droplet generator through a precision peristaltic pump; and a high-speed camera for monitoring the quality of droplet generation, the high-speed camera is connected with a computer to transmit monitoring images; the device further comprises a signal generator and a power amplifier connected with the droplet generator. In addition to providing jet flow and droplet synchronous generation, the generation device can also realize non-uniform diameter droplet generation, further widening the use scenario of the droplet generator.

[0005] In addition, CN118874569A discloses a multi-volume micro-droplet generation chip, which comprises an upper electrode plate, a droplet generation disc and a lower electrode plate; wherein the lower electrode plate is arranged at the bottom of the droplet generation disc, and the upper electrode plate is arranged at the top of the droplet generation disc, and an operation port is arranged on the upper electrode plate; an upper conductive layer is arranged on the upper electrode plate, a lower conductive layer is arranged on the lower electrode plate, and a plurality of droplet generation holes are arranged on the inner bottom of the droplet generation disc; when a bias voltage is applied between the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer, the hydrophobicity of the bottom of the droplet generation hole is smaller than that of the top of the droplet generation hole; and the diameters of the plurality of droplet generation holes are different. The multi-volume micro-droplet generation chip is used to form a plurality of micro-droplets to meet the needs of research and development experiments in the fields of biology, chemistry and pharmacy for a plurality of micro-droplets, without relying on external mechanical equipment, and has the advantages of small size, convenient carrying and high-throughput generation capacity.

[0006] Although the above prior art can be used to form micro-droplets, there are problems such as reliance on external mechanical equipment, complicated operation or poor liquid adaptability in the above prior art. Utility model content

[0007] The utility model discloses a direction controllable micro-droplet generation chip, which does not need to rely on external mechanical equipment, and can be used for the generation of micro-droplets of various liquids such as water-based and oil-based liquids, and has a wide range of applications. In addition, the special structure of the micro-droplet generation chip also allows the chips to be spliced as needed between chips to meet different needs in different application scenarios, thereby saving unnecessary costs.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme:

[0009] A direction controllable micro-droplet generation chip, comprising a chip body, a pressure chamber is formed in the inside of the chip body, and a piezoelectric device is arranged at one side wall of the pressure chamber; a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel are respectively formed at the upper and lower ends of the pressure chamber and are in communication with the cavity inside the pressure chamber; wherein the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel are both inverted trapezoidal structures.

[0010] Further, the fluid inlet channel is in communication with an external fluid source through a fluid pipeline, and the cross-sectional area of the fluid first inlet away from the pressure chamber is greater than that of the fluid first outlet directly connected with the pressure chamber.

[0011] Further, the cross-sectional area of the fluid second inlet of the fluid outlet channel directly connected with the pressure chamber is greater than that of the fluid second outlet away from the pressure chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the fluid second outlet is flush with the bottom end of the chip body, and the fluid second outlet is circular.

[0013] More preferably: the fluid first inlet is shaped as a square with a size of (0.2mm-10mm) x (0.1mm-2mm), the fluid first outlet is shaped as a square with a size of (0.001mm-2mm) x (0.1mm-2mm); the fluid second inlet is shaped as a square with a size of (0.2mm-10mm) x (0.1mm-2mm), and the inner diameter of the fluid second outlet is 0.001mm-1mm.

[0014] Further: the cross-sectional area of the fluid first outlet of the fluid inlet channel is less than the cross-sectional area of the fluid second inlet of the fluid outlet channel.

[0015] Further: the cross-sectional area of the fluid first outlet of the fluid inlet channel is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the fluid second outlet of the fluid outlet channel.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present application, opposite sides of the chip body are respectively formed with a splicing groove and a splicing protrusion matched with the splicing groove.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the pressure chamber is a square with a volume size of (0.5mm-35mm) x (0.2mm-10mm) x (0.1mm-2mm) or a column with an inner diameter of 0.5mm-35mm and a depth of 0.1mm-2mm; the length of the piezoelectric device is 0.1mm-30mm.

[0018] Preferably: the chip body is a metal plate or a metal block.

[0019] The micro-droplet generating chip has simple structure and is convenient to operate, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel with the inverted trapezoidal section are designed, so that the flowing direction of the fluid is always controlled to flow out of the fluid inlet channel to the fluid outlet channel and is sprayed out through the fluid second outlet to form the micro-droplet, an additional pump is not needed to provide pressure for the fluid, and only the self-directional pressure can be generated to complete the fluid supply and the micro-droplet generation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 The structure schematic diagram of the direction-controllable micro-droplet generating chip is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 The micro-droplet forming process schematic diagram of the direction-controllable micro-droplet generating chip when being powered is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 The microdroplet formation process schematic diagram of the direction-controllable microdroplet generating chip when power off is shown;

[0023] Figure 4 The microdroplet formation process schematic diagram of the direction-controllable microdroplet generating chip when power off is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 The microdroplet formation process schematic diagram of the direction-controllable microdroplet generating chip when power off is shown;

[0025] Figure 6 The photo of the oily microdroplet obtained in the embodiment 1 of the utility model is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 The photo of the oily microdroplet obtained in the embodiment 1 of the utility model is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The utility model provides a kind of direction-controllable microdroplet generating chip, as shown in Figure 1 The microdroplet generating chip includes chip body 1, the chip body 1 can be formed by metal plate or metal block, for example stainless steel plate, the inside of the chip body 1 can be formed with pressure chamber 11 with cavity 111 by for example etching, laser, numerical control lathe etc., the pressure chamber 11 preferably volume size (length × width × depth) is (0.5mm-35mm) × (0.2mm-10mm) × (0.1mm-2mm) square or the cylindrical shape with 0.5mm-35mm inner diameter, 0.1mm-2mm depth;The length of the piezoelectric device 12 of one longitudinal side wall of the pressure chamber 11 is preferably 0.1mm-30mm, and the piezoelectric device 12 is connected with external power supply by corresponding wiring, to be able to occur deformation when being applied voltage, the piezoelectric device 12 can adopt any known structure or shape in the art, as long as it can occur deformation when being applied voltage.

[0028] The microdroplet generating chip further comprises a fluid inlet channel 13 and a fluid outlet channel 14 respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the pressure chamber 11 and connected with the inside of the cavity 111 of the pressure chamber 11. In the utility model, the fluid inlet channel 13 and the fluid outlet channel 14 are all in inverted trapezoidal structure, that is, for the fluid inlet channel 13, the corresponding fluid pipeline 2 can be connected with the corresponding fluid source 3, and the cross-sectional area of the fluid first inlet 131 far away from the pressure chamber 11 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fluid first outlet 132 directly connected with the pressure chamber 11, specifically, the fluid first inlet 131 is preferably shaped as a square with the size of (0.2mm-10mm) x (0.1mm-2mm), the fluid first outlet 132 is preferably shaped as a square with the size of (0.001mm-2mm) x (0.1mm-2mm), and the depth of the fluid inlet channel 13 is preferably 0.1mm-2mm; and for the fluid outlet channel 14, the cross-sectional area of the fluid second inlet 141 directly connected with the pressure chamber 11 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fluid second outlet 142 far away from the pressure chamber 11 and preferably flush with the bottom end of the chip body 1; specifically, the fluid second inlet 141 is preferably shaped as a square with the size of (0.2mm-10mm) x (0.1mm-2mm), and the fluid second outlet 142 is preferably shaped as a circle with the inner diameter of 0.001mm-1mm, and the depth of the fluid outlet channel 14 is preferably 0.1mm-2mm. Further, the cross-sectional area of the fluid first outlet 132 of the fluid inlet channel 13 is less than the cross-sectional area of the fluid second inlet 141 of the fluid outlet channel 14, and the cross-sectional area of the fluid first outlet 132 of the fluid inlet channel 13 is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the fluid second outlet 142 of the fluid outlet channel 14. By adjusting the corresponding sizes of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the size of the microdroplet sprayed through the fluid second outlet 142 can be realized.

[0029] In addition, in actual use, in order to facilitate the generation of multiple microdroplets, multiple microdroplet generating chips can be used at the same time, for which a splicing groove 15 can be formed on one side of the chip body 1 of the microdroplet generating chip of the utility model by, for example, grinding, and a splicing protrusion 16 is correspondingly formed on the other side opposite to the side, so that when multiple microdroplet generating chips need to be used at the same time, the multiple microdroplet generating chips are spliced together through the splicing effect between the splicing groove 15 and the splicing protrusion 16 to form a compact microdroplet generating chip structure, as shown in Figure 5 The microdroplet generating chip structure is spliced by six microdroplet generating chips.

[0030] Figures 2-4This illustration shows the formation process of microdroplets during use of the microdroplet generation chip described in this invention. First, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the piezoelectric device 12 is powered on, it deforms under pressure, squeezing the fluid in the cavity 111. At this time, the pressure chamber 11 is under positive pressure. Due to the presence of this positive pressure, the fluid in the cavity 111 flows to the fluid inlet channel 13 and the fluid outlet channel 14 as indicated by the arrows. However, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the first fluid outlet 132 of the fluid inlet channel 13 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second fluid inlet 141 of the fluid outlet channel 14, the fluid in the fluid outlet channel 14 will be subjected to greater pressure and flow rate, which causes some of the fluid to be ejected through the second fluid outlet 142 of the fluid outlet channel 14 to form microdroplets 4.

[0031] When the power is off, such as Figure 3 As shown, the piezoelectric device 12 recovers its deformation. During its straightening process, the volume of the pressure chamber 11 gradually increases and becomes negatively pressured. At the same time, due to the presence of this negative pressure, fluid is returned to the pressure chamber 11 from the fluid inlet channel 13 and the fluid outlet channel 14. However, since the first fluid outlet 132 of the fluid inlet channel 13 is directly connected to the pressure chamber 11, while the second fluid outlet 142 of the fluid outlet channel 14 is far away from the pressure chamber 11, the first fluid outlet 132 of the fluid inlet channel 13 is subjected to greater negative pressure and fluid backflow. The fluid returns through the first fluid outlet 132 and fills the pressure chamber 11.

[0032] When power is applied again, the piezoelectric device 12 will deform again, and the microdroplet generating chip will undergo the microdroplet formation process described above again, forming a second microdroplet 42 immediately after the first microdroplet 41, as shown below. Figure 4 As shown. Through the reciprocating operation of power on and off described above, the microdroplet generation chip of this invention ultimately achieves the continuous generation of microdroplets. Due to the inverted trapezoidal structure design of the fluid inlet channel 13 and the fluid outlet channel 14, the flow direction of the fluid is always controlled to flow from upstream to downstream, that is, the fluid always flows from the fluid inlet channel 13 to the fluid outlet channel 14 to form microdroplets. In addition, since the inverted trapezoidal structure of the fluid inlet channel 13 and the fluid outlet channel 14 can effectively control the flow direction of the fluid, there is no need for additional complex equipment such as peristaltic pumps, plunger pumps or air pumps to provide pressure for the fluid. Therefore, the microdroplet generation chip of this invention can generate directional pressure itself and complete the fluid replenishment and microdroplet generation.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] Six microdroplet generation chips of this invention, as described above, are joined together through the splicing groove 15 and the splicing protrusion 16 to form a [structure / structure].Figure 5 As shown in the compact microdroplet generation structure, for each microdroplet generation chip, the chip body 1 is made of 304 stainless steel material, the piezoelectric device 12 has a length of 1 mm, and is powered by a 12V voltage; the pressure chamber 11 has a size of 3mm × 2mm × 1mm; the fluid inlet channel 13 has a fluid first inlet 131 with a size of 1.5mm × 1mm, and a fluid first outlet 132 with a size of 0.15mm × 1mm; the fluid outlet channel 14 has a fluid second inlet 141 with a size of 2.8mm × 1mm, and a fluid second outlet 142 which is a circle with an inner diameter of 0.15mm; the fluid source 3 is an isomeric alkane oily liquid, which enters the pressure chamber 11 through the fluid inlet channel 13 via the fluid pipeline 2 and is sprayed out through the second outlet 142 of the fluid outlet channel 14 to form oily microdroplets, as shown in Figure 6 As shown, the diameter of the formed oily microdroplets is about 200μm.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] Six pieces of the microdroplet generation chip of the present application as described above are spliced by the splicing between the splicing grooves 15 and the splicing protrusions 16 to form a compact microdroplet generation structure as shown in the figure. Figure 5 As shown in the compact microdroplet generation structure, for each microdroplet generation chip, the chip body 1 is made of 304 stainless steel material, the piezoelectric device 12 has a length of 1 mm, and is powered by a 12V voltage; the pressure chamber 11 has a size of 3mm × 2mm × 1mm; the fluid inlet channel 13 has a fluid first inlet 131 with a size of 1.5mm × 1mm, and a fluid first outlet 132 with a size of 0.15mm × 1mm; the fluid outlet channel 14 has a fluid second inlet 141 with a size of 2.8mm × 1mm, and a fluid second outlet 142 which is a circle with an inner diameter of 0.15mm; the fluid source 3 is an isomeric alkane oily liquid, which enters the pressure chamber 11 through the fluid inlet channel 13 via the fluid pipeline 2 and is sprayed out through the second outlet 142 of the fluid outlet channel 14 to form oily microdroplets, as shown in Figure 7 As shown, the diameter of the formed oily microdroplets is about 200μm.

[0037] The utility model has carried out the detailed description through the preferred implementation. However, through the study of the foregoing, the change and increase of each implementation are also obvious to those skilled in the art. The applicant's intention is that all these changes and increases fall in the protection scope of the utility model claim. The terms used in the present application are only for the description of specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the utility model. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the present application (including technical terms and scientific terms) are the same as the understanding of those skilled in the art to which the utility model belongs. Any modification and improvement of the product, the replacement and use of similar or similar substances within the scope or category of the patent, belong to the protection scope of the utility model patent.

Claims

1. A microdroplet generation chip with controllable orientation, comprising a chip body, characterized in that: A pressure chamber is formed inside the chip body, and a piezoelectric device is provided on one side wall of the pressure chamber; fluid inlet channel and fluid outlet channel are respectively formed at the upper and lower ends of the pressure chamber, which are connected to the cavity inside the pressure chamber; wherein, the fluid inlet channel and fluid outlet channel are both inverted trapezoidal structures.

2. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid inlet channel is connected to an external fluid source via a fluid pipe, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first fluid inlet, which is farther away from the pressure chamber, is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first fluid outlet, which is directly connected to the pressure chamber.

3. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the second fluid inlet, which is directly connected to the pressure chamber, is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second fluid outlet, which is farther from the pressure chamber.

4. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second fluid outlet is flush with the bottom of the chip body, and the second fluid outlet is circular.

5. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first fluid inlet is formed into a square with dimensions of (0.2mm-10mm) × (0.1mm-2mm), the first fluid outlet is formed into a square with dimensions of (0.001mm-2mm) × (0.1mm-2mm), the second fluid inlet is formed into a square with dimensions of (0.2mm-10mm) × (0.1mm-2mm), and the inner diameter of the second fluid outlet is 0.001mm-1mm.

6. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the first fluid outlet of the fluid inlet channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second fluid inlet of the fluid outlet channel.

7. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the first fluid outlet of the fluid inlet channel is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the second fluid outlet of the fluid outlet channel.

8. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The chip body has splicing grooves and splicing protrusions that are adapted to the splicing grooves on opposite sides.

9. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The pressure chamber is a square with a volume of (0.5mm-35mm)×(0.2mm-10mm)×(0.1mm-2mm) or a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter of 0.5mm-35mm and a depth of 0.1mm-2mm; the piezoelectric device has a length of 0.1mm-30mm.

10. The direction-controllable microdroplet generation chip according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The chip body is a metal plate or metal block.

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