Combined-Blade Open Flow Path Device for Microfluidics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro flow-path devices require high external pressure for fluid transport and are prone to flow path hindrance due to impurity deposition, making them difficult to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A combined-blade-type open flow path device with a substrate and blades forming adjacent flow paths, allowing fluid flow with minimal external energy usage, and featuring a hydrophilic or hydrophobic treatment for enhanced wettability and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional micro flow-path devices are used, then fluid transport can be achieved, but high external pressure is required and the structure is fine and elaborate causing flow path hindrance due to impurity adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple parallel micro flow paths formed by multiple blades, where each blade creates individual flow channels. This segmentation allows fluid to be distributed across multiple paths, reducing the pressure requirement for each individual path while maintaining overall transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional two-dimensional closed flow path to a three-dimensional open flow path structure where blades are erected vertically from the substrate, creating open channels that allow fluid access from multiple directions and reduce pressure requirements
2Reliability
If conventional micro flow-path devices with fine and elaborate structure are used, then fluid transport is possible, but flow path hindrance occurs due to adhesion of impurities and cleaning efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow path from a closed enclosed structure and opens it to the environment, allowing direct access to the flow path for cleaning purposes. The open structure enables removal of impurities without disassembling the device
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple blades create a porous-like structure with multiple parallel open channels, where the spaces between blades allow fluid flow and also provide access points for cleaning agents to reach all flow path areas, improving cleaning efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device reduces external energy requirements, minimizes flow path hindrance from impurities, and facilitates easy cleaning, enabling efficient fluid transport across various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
conduction of the fluid between the flow paths adjacent at the space is made possible
Implementation Method 2
featuring a hydrophilic or hydrophobic treatment for enhanced wettability
Data Source
AI summary
A combined-blade open flow path device is a fluid flow path device where flow paths are adjacent to each other. The combined-blade open flow path device comprises a substrate configured to constitute a bottom portion of the flow paths; and blades erected on a surface of the substrate, the blades being configured to constitute side walls of the flow paths, wherein the blades are erected in groups, each of the groups extending from an upstream side to a downstream side in a flow direction of a fluid with a space between each of the blades in the flow direction of the fluid in each of the groups for making conduction of the fluid between the adjacent flow paths possible, and wherein one end of one of the flow paths is configured to be in contact with the fluid and is configured to make a flow of the fluid possible.