Elastic Rubber Connector Structure for Leak-Safe Microfluidic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for micro fluid devices require complex and time-consuming mounting operations, and may lead to fluid leakage due to improper sealing, affecting experimental accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A connector with an elastically deformable elastic rubber material, featuring a tube insertion hole, guide part, and lip part, which integrates a simple structure for easy connection and sealing with the micro fluid device, using a clamp mechanism to ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector with male screw and female screw is used to connect tube to micro fluid device, then fluid leakage can be prevented by screwing together, but the mounting operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses an elastic rubber material that can be elastically deformed during insertion and then returns to its original shape to create a tight seal. The elastic body deforms when the tube is inserted through the tube insertion hole, and subsequently restores its shape to press against the tube and micro fluid device, achieving reliable sealing without complex screw mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the screw mechanism (male screw and female screw) from the connector structure. By eliminating this complex fastening component, the connector achieves both simplified structure and reliable sealing through the elastic deformation and recovery of the rubber material alone.
2Reliability
If a conventional connector with screw mechanism is used, then fluid can be sealed, but the mounting operation requires careful attention and takes excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic rubber material is pre-formed with the tube insertion hole and sealing structures (guide part and lip part) already in position. During mounting, the tube is simply inserted through the pre-configured hole, and the elastic material automatically deforms and seals, eliminating the need for time-consuming screw tightening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic rubber material performs the sealing function automatically through its own elastic deformation and recovery properties. The material self-adjusts to create a tight seal around the tube without requiring external fastening actions or careful manual adjustment, significantly reducing mounting time and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a simple connector structure is used, then mounting is easier, but fluid leakage may occur due to insufficient sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic rubber material incorporates localized sealing structures with specific geometries: the guide part with its outer peripheral surface and the lip part with its inner peripheral surface. These locally optimized features create enhanced sealing zones at critical interfaces (tube-connector and connector-micro fluid device) while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of mounting.
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
Facilitates quick and stable fluid connection with reduced complexity, minimizing leakage and ensuring high sealing properties for accurate experimental results.
Implementation Method 1
a connector (1) with a simple structure, wherein a connector body (2), a guide part (3), and a lip part (4) are integrally formed of an elastically deformable elastic rubber material
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a connector body having a tube insertion hole that is formed between a connector upper surface and a connector lower surface and into which a tube can be inserted and connected; a guide part that protrudes downward from the connector lower surface along a lower end peripheral edge of the connector body and is capable of being brought into contact with a part of a micro fluid device; and a lip part that surrounds a lower end opening of the tube insertion hole opened to the connector lower surface, protrudes downward from the connector lower surface, protrudes higher than the guide part, and is capable of being brought into contact with a part of the micro fluid device, wherein the connector body, the guide part, and the lip part are integrally formed by an elastically deformable elastic rubber material.