End-Face Sealing Fluid Connector for Microreactor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors for microfluidic modules, particularly those made of glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic materials, face challenges in providing adequate pressure resistance and chemical resistance while minimizing the risk of module damage, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
An end-face sealing fluid connector with a circular connector body featuring a recess for O-rings, a high-compression-strength polymer reinforcing ring, and a stainless steel sleeve with an external thread and gripping surface, designed to provide a secure and durable connection between microfluidic modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid connectors are used for glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic microfluidic modules, then the connection can be established, but the pressure resistance and chemical resistance are insufficient, and the risk of module damage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a composite structure combining a polymer connector body with a metal reinforcing ring and a protective sleeve. The polymer provides chemical resistance, the metal ring provides mechanical strength and pressure resistance, and the sleeve provides additional protection against module damage. This multi-material composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of different materials to simultaneously achieve high reliability and low damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector applies local quality enhancement by adding the metal reinforcing ring specifically at the connection interface where high pressure and mechanical stress occur, while the polymer body maintains chemical resistance throughout. The protective sleeve is applied locally at the interface with the microfluidic module to prevent damage. This localized reinforcement strategy optimizes the balance between pressure resistance, chemical resistance, and damage protection.
2Stress or pressure
If high-strength materials are used to improve pressure resistance, then the connector can withstand high pressure, but the cost increases and the risk of module damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses a composite structure where a relatively inexpensive polymer body is reinforced with a metal ring only at the critical high-pressure interface. This approach achieves high pressure resistance without requiring the entire connector to be made from expensive high-strength materials, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcing ring is applied locally only where high pressure occurs at the connection interface, rather than making the entire connector from high-strength material. This localized reinforcement achieves the necessary pressure resistance while minimizing material costs and manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the connector design is simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing becomes easier, but pressure resistance and chemical resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector achieves a balance between manufacturing simplicity and reliability by using a composite structure where each component can be manufactured using standard processes for its material type. The polymer body, metal ring, and protective sleeve are manufactured separately and assembled, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate components (polymer body, metal reinforcing ring, protective sleeve) that can be manufactured independently using appropriate processes for each material. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components while achieving high reliability through the integrated composite structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An end-face sealing fluidic connector [20] for fluidic connection of fluidic modules [12] in a microreactor [10], particularly fluidic connection of glass, glass-ceramic and/or ceramic fluidic modules [12] in a microreactor [10] includes a connector body [22] having a circular first end face [26]with a recess [28] for retaining one or more O-rings [30]. The connector body [22] has a first end section [32] having a circular cylindrical outer surface [34] having a diameter [36] in the range of from 3 to 25 mm extending along the connector body [22] from the first end face [26]. The outer surface [34] of the first end section [32] is having a circumferential recess [38] dividing the first end section [32] into a proximal portion [40] adjacent the first end face [26] and a distal portion [42] separated from the proximal portion [40] by the circumferential recess [38]. A retaining ring [48] is seated in the circumferential recess and a circular cylindrical circumferential reinforcing and/or protecting ring [50] surrounds the proximal portion [40] of the first end section [32], the ring [50] being comprised of a high-compression-strength polymer. A circular cylindrical sleeve [58] surrounds the first end section [32] and the reinforcing and/or protecting ring [50], the sleeve [58] including a circumferentially extending inside bearing surface for engaging the retaining ring [48] on the distal side thereof. The circular cylindrical sleeve [58] further comprises an external thread [66] on a proximal outer surface [68] thereof and a gripping surface [70] on a distal outer surface [72] thereof.