Flow channel installation mechanism and flow channel system

Abstract

The present invention provides a flow path installation mechanism and flow path system that can be installed quickly and reliably without damage, and that can be quickly removed for cleaning or replacement. [Solution] The flow path installation mechanism includes a guide assembly and a watertight coupling device. The guide assembly is configured to guide the detected block into the guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a bearing body, a support, and a roller set. The bearing body has a chamfer. The roller set is connected to the support via at least one first elastic element, and the detected block is suitable for insertion between the bearing body and the roller set. The watertight coupling device is connected to a biasing body via at least one second elastic element and has at least two openings. The biasing body is configured to move toward the bearing body and apply pressure to the detected block. A flow path system is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow path installation mechanism and a flow path system.

Background Art

[0002] Requirements for the application of fluid sample inspection occur in various fields such as the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, the semiconductor industry, and the environmental engineering industry. Using a fluid image detector, it is possible to observe and photograph information on the sample flowing in the flow path. However, with current fluid image detectors, it is difficult to install them quickly and reliably without damaging the flow path.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention relates to a flow path installation mechanism that can be installed quickly and reliably without being damaged.

[0004] The present invention relates to a flow path system that can be quickly removed for cleaning or replacement. [[ID=२८]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a flow path installation mechanism including a guide assembly and a watertight joint device. The guide assembly is configured to guide a detected block into the guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a bearing body, a support, and a roller set. The bearing body has a chamfer. The roller set is connected to the support via at least one first elastic element, and the detected block is suitable for insertion between the bearing body and the roller set. The watertight joint device is connected to a biasing body via at least one second elastic element and has at least two openings, where the biasing body is configured to move toward the bearing body and apply pressure to the detected block. The bearing body, support, and biasing body are arranged in the optical path, and the structure of the bearing body, support, and biasing body is constructed to avoid hollow spaces or paths through which light passes in order to allow light to pass smoothly.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a flow path system comprising a transparent flow path device, a particle size screening device, a tapered container, a three-way piping switch valve, a pump, and an air particle filter. The particle size screening device is located upstream of the transparent flow path device. The tapered container is located upstream of the transparent flow path device. The three-way piping switch valve is located downstream of the transparent flow path device. The pump is located downstream of the three-way piping switch valve and is configured to pump fluid. The air particle filter is connected to the tapered container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The flow path installation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention employs a guide assembly, allowing for the rapid installation of detected blocks. Furthermore, because the bearing body has a chamfer and the guide assembly has a roller set, the detected blocks are not damaged. The bearing body presses against the detected block, and the detected block and the watertight joint device are physically pressed together, ensuring that the flow path installation mechanism is securely installed. In addition, the flow path system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be quickly removed for cleaning or replacement and has a particle size screening design that does not cause significant pressure drop. Moreover, the flow path system according to the embodiment of the present invention employs a pump and an air particle filter for extracting and discharging samples, thus avoiding contamination of the flow path system itself or the environment.

[0008] To make the above easier to understand, several embodiments, along with drawings, are described in detail below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The accompanying drawings are included to further illustrate the principles of the present invention, are incorporated herein, and constitute part thereof. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to illustrate the principles of the present invention.

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a flow path installation mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a flow path system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the details of the particle size screening apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a flow path installation mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, the flow path installation mechanism 100 of this embodiment includes a guide assembly 200 and a watertight joint device 110. The guide assembly 200 is configured to guide the detected block 50 into the guide assembly 200. The guide assembly 200 includes a bearing body 210, a support 220, and a roller set 230. The bearing body 210 has a chamfer 212. The roller set 230 is connected to the support 220 via at least one first elastic element 240, and the detected block 50 is suitable for insertion between the bearing body 210 and the roller set 230.

[0012] The watertight joint device 110 is connected to the biasing body 250 via at least one second elastic element 260 and has at least two openings A and B. Here, the biasing body 250 is configured to move toward the bearing body 210 and apply pressure to the detected block 50. In this embodiment, each of the first elastic element 240 and the second elastic element 260 is, for example, a spring. The bearing body 210, the support 220, and the biasing body 250 are arranged on the optical path 102, and the structure of the bearing body 210, the support 220, and the biasing body 250 is constructed to avoid hollow spaces or paths through which light (e.g., the light beam 122) passes smoothly.

[0013] In this embodiment, the detected block 50 is a transparent body and has a first channel 52 inside it. The first channel 52 has two openings E and F on the same side of the detected block 50, and the two openings E and F of the first channel 52 are configured to connect to two openings A and B of the watertight bonding device 110.

[0014] In this embodiment, the flow path installation mechanism 100 further includes a light source 120, an image sensor 130, and a lens assembly 140. The light source 120 is configured to provide a light beam 122, where the detected block 50 is positioned in the path of the light beam 122. The image sensor 130 is positioned in the path of the light beam 122 from the detected block 50. The lens assembly 140 is positioned in the path of the light beam 122 between the detected block 50 and the image sensor 130.

[0015] In this embodiment, the watertight joint device 110 has at least four openings A, B, C, and D, two of the four openings A and B being connected to the detected block 50, and the other two of the four openings C and D being connected to the fluid pipe 150, and the watertight joint device 110 has a second flow path 112 for communicating with the detected block 50 and the fluid pipe 150. In this embodiment, the first flow path 52 and the second flow path 112 are, for example, microchannels.

[0016] The flow path installation mechanism 100 of this embodiment employs a guide assembly 200, allowing for the rapid installation of the detected block 50 containing the microchannels. Furthermore, since the bearing body 210 has a chamfer 212 and the guide assembly 200 has a roller set 230, the detected block 50 is not damaged. The bearing body 210 presses against the detected block 50, and the openings E and F of the detected block 50 and the openings A and B of the watertight coupling device 110 are physically pressed together, respectively, so that the microchannels of the detected block 50 are watertight and resistant to liquid pressure. From the viewpoint of hardware structure and coupling method, the watertight coupling device 110 and the support 220 are independent of each other. That is, the watertight coupling device 110 and the support 220 can move independently of each other. The support 220 provides convenient guidance for the detected block 50 so that it can reach the correct position, and the support 220 provides support for the detected block 50 so that it does not loosen. Since the watertight joint device 110 is connected to the detected block 50, the first flow path 52 and the second flow path 112 are connected, and in this embodiment, the watertight joint device 110 applies a pressure greater than that of the support 220 to the detected block 50 to prevent liquid leakage at the connection point.

[0017] Furthermore, the structures of the bearing body 210, support body 220, and biasing body 250 are designed to avoid hollow spaces or paths through which light (e.g., light beam 122) can pass smoothly, so that the image sensor 130 can acquire an image of the first channel 52 within the detected block 50.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a flow path system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2, the flow path system 300 of this embodiment includes a transparent flow path device 310, a particle size screening device 320, a tapered container 330, a three-way piping switch valve 340, a pump 350, and an air particle filter 360. The particle size screening device 320 is located upstream of the transparent flow path device 310. The tapered container 330 is located upstream of the transparent flow path device 310. In this embodiment, the tapered container 330 is located upstream of the particle size screening device 320. The three-way piping switch valve 340 is located downstream of the transparent flow path device 310. The pump 350 is located downstream of the three-way piping switch valve 340 and is configured to pump fluid. The air particle filter 360 is connected to the tapered container 330.

[0019] In this embodiment, the tapered container 330 includes a liquid level detector 332. The flow path system 300 further includes a liquid filling detector 370 located downstream of the transparent flow path device 310. The sample can flow sequentially through the liquid inlet 60, the tapered container 330, the particle size screening device 320, the transparent flow path device 310, and the liquid filling detector 370. In this embodiment, the tapered container 330 has a tapered bottom to ensure that particles that have settled in the sample can also be detected. In one embodiment, the tapered bottom has an inclination angle of 10 to 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the transparent flow path device 310 may be the detected block 50 in Figure 1. Furthermore, the liquid filling detector 370 can ensure that the first flow path 52 (e.g., a microchannel) is filled with the sample without being affected by bubbles.

[0020] The structures in Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be combined. For example, the particle size screening device 320 in Figure 2 may be located upstream of the watertight bonding device 110 via the upper fluid pipe 150 in Figure 1, and the liquid filling detector 370 in Figure 2 may be located downstream of the watertight bonding device 110 via the lower fluid pipe 150 in Figure 1. Furthermore, when the image sensor 130 detects an image of the first channel 52, the pump 350 extracts a sample from the liquid filling detector 370, and the three-way piping switch valve 340 is configured to prevent the sample from flowing out of the liquid outlet 70. After the image sensor 130 detects an image of the first channel 52, the pump 350 discharges the sample from the liquid outlet, and the three-way piping switch valve 340 is configured to prevent the sample from flowing upward toward the liquid filling detector 370.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing details of the particle size screening apparatus in Figure 2. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the particle size screening apparatus 320 of this embodiment includes a fixture 322, a cover 324, a sieve 326, and at least one waterproof ring 328 (two waterproof rings 328 are shown illustratively in Figure 3). The fixture 322 has a housing recess 323. The cover 324 is positioned on the fixture 322. The sieve 326 is positioned within the housing recess 323 and between the fixture 322 and the cover 324. The waterproof ring 328 is positioned between the fixture 322 and the cover 324.

[0022] The flow path system 300 of this embodiment can be quickly removed for cleaning or replacement and has a particle size screening design with no significant pressure drop. Furthermore, since the flow path system 300 of this embodiment employs a pump 350 for extracting and discharging the sample and an air particle filter 360, it is possible to avoid contaminating the flow path system 300 itself or the environment. In addition, the flow path system 300 of this embodiment employs a three-way pipe switch valve 340. When the three-way pipe switch valve 340 is configured to prevent the outflow from the liquid outlet of the sample, the pump 350 extracts the sample from the liquid filling detector 370. When the three-way pipe switch valve 340 is configured to prevent the upward flow toward the liquid filling detector 370 of the sample, the pump 350 discharges the sample from the liquid outlet, so that it is possible to avoid the generation of gas in the pipe when switching the valve to update the sample. Note that the generated gas may affect the detection. Also, since the tapered container 330 of the flow path system 300 of this embodiment has a tapered bottom, it is possible to prevent the particles in the sample to be measured from settling and not being carried to the detection region, that is, the first flow path 52.

[0023] As described above, since the flow path installation mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention employs a guide assembly, the detected block can be quickly installed. In addition, since the shaft receiver has chamfers and the guide assembly has a roller set, the detected block is not damaged. Since the shaft receiver presses the detected block and the detected block and the watertight joining device are physically pressed together, the flow path installation mechanism can be reliably installed. Also, the flow path system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be quickly removed for cleaning or replacement and has a particle size screening design with no significant pressure drop. Furthermore, since the flow path system according to the embodiment of the present invention employs a pump for extracting and discharging the sample and an air particle filter, it is possible to avoid contaminating the flow path system itself or the environment.

[0024] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. In view of this, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and changes within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Industrial Applicability

[0025] The flow path installation mechanism and flow path system of the present invention can be applied to flow detection.

Explanation of Signs

[0026] 50 Detected block 60 Liquid inlet 70 Liquid outlet 52 First flow path 100 Flow path installation mechanism 102 Optical path 110 Watertight joint device 112 Second flow path 120 Light source 122 Light beam 130 Image sensor 140 Lens assembly 150 Fluid pipe 200 Guide assembly 210 Shaft receiver 212 Chamfer 220 Support 230 Roller set 240 First elastic element 250 Biasing body 260 Second elastic element 300 Flow path system 310 Transparent flow path device 320 Particle size screening device 322 Fixture 323 Accommodation recess 324 Cover 326 Sieve 328 Waterproof ring 330 Tapered container 332 Liquid level detector 340 Three-way piping switch valve 350 pump 360 Air Particle Filter 370 Liquid Filling Detector A, B, C, D, E, F opening

Claims

1. The detected block is configured to guide the guide assembly. A bearing body having a chamfer, Support and A roller set connected to the support via at least one first elastic element, The guide assembly includes the detected block being suitable for insertion between the bearing body and the roller set, A watertight bonding device connected to a biasing body via at least one second elastic element, having at least two openings, configured such that the biasing body moves toward the bearing body, and applying pressure to the detected block, A flow path installation mechanism comprising the bearing body, the support body, and the biasing body, wherein the structure of the bearing body, the support body, and the biasing body is such that it is hollow or avoids the path through which light passes in order to allow light to pass through smoothly.

2. The channel installation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the detected block is a transparent body and has a first channel therein, the first channel has two openings on the same side of the detected block, and the two openings of the first channel are connected to the two openings of the watertight joint device.

3. A light source configured to provide a light beam, wherein the detected block is positioned in the path of the light beam, An image sensor positioned on the path of the light beam from the detected block, A lens assembly positioned on the path of the light beam between the detected block and the image sensor, The flow path installation mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The flow path installation mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the watertight jointing device has at least four openings, two of the at least four openings are connected to the detected block, the other two of the at least four openings are connected to a fluid pipe, and the watertight jointing device has a second flow path communicating with the detected block and the fluid pipe.

5. Transparent channel device, A particle size screening device is located upstream of the transparent channel device, A tapered container positioned upstream of the transparent flow channel device, A three-way piping switch valve is positioned downstream of the transparent flow device, A pump is positioned downstream of the aforementioned three-way piping switch valve and configured to pump fluid, An air particle filter connected to the tapered container, A flow channel system including a flow channel system.

6. The flow path system according to claim 5, wherein the tapered container includes a liquid level detector.

7. The flow path system according to claim 5, further comprising a liquid-filled detector disposed downstream of the transparent flow path device.

8. The particle size screening device, A fixing device having a recessed area, A cover placed on the aforementioned fastener, A sieve placed in the aforementioned recess and between the fixing device and the cover, At least one waterproof ring disposed between the fastener and the cover, The flow path system according to claim 5, including the following:

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