Flow Channel Structure Reducing Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow channel structures experience significant pressure loss due to narrow channel diameters, which hampers fluid mixing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flow channel structure with a substrate and sealing plates, featuring grooves and holes that allow fluids to merge and change direction, promoting mixing without the need for channel narrowing, thus reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the channel diameter is narrowed by a projection to promote fluid mixing, then fluid mixing efficiency is improved, but pressure loss inside the channel increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional channel narrowing (projections into the flow path) to three-dimensional flow direction changes (baffles oriented perpendicular to the flow direction). This dimensional shift allows mixing to be achieved through vertical flow redirection rather than horizontal channel constriction, thereby maintaining lower pressure loss while enhancing mixing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel is divided into multiple segments with baffles positioned at different locations. Each baffle creates a separate flow redirection zone, segmenting the overall mixing process into multiple stages. This segmentation allows progressive mixing without requiring continuous channel narrowing, thus reducing cumulative pressure loss while maintaining effective mixing.
2Volume of moving object
If the channel diameter is reduced to achieve compact mixing device, then device size is reduced, but pressure loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (vertical direction perpendicular to flow) by positioning baffles that extend across the channel width. This allows compact device design through vertical flow redirection rather than horizontal channel constriction, achieving small device footprint without the pressure loss penalty of narrowed channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffles are designed to dynamically redirect flow direction at multiple points along the channel, creating changing flow patterns that enhance mixing efficiency. This dynamic flow redirection allows compact device geometry while maintaining adequate pressure characteristics by avoiding static channel narrowing.
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
Enhances fluid mixing efficiency while minimizing pressure loss by altering fluid flow direction, allowing for compact and efficient channel design.
Implementation Method 1
a flow direction altering portion that is configured by the second hole and portions of the first groove and the third groove that are in communication via the second hole, and causes a flow direction of the fluid flowing through the first merged fluid channel to change from a top surface side of the substrate towards a back surface side thereof
Implementation Method 2
a merging portion configured by the first hole and portions of the first groove and the second groove that are in communication via the first hole, and merging the first fluid flowing through the first inlet path and the second fluid flowing through the second inlet path in a thickness direction of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A flow channel structure that includes a first inlet path for a first fluid, a second inlet path for a second fluid, a merging portion that merges, in the thickness direction of a substrate, the first fluid and the second fluid, a first merged fluid channel in which both fluids merged in the merging portion flow along a top surface of the substrate, a flow direction altering portion that causes the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the first merged fluid channel to change from the top surface side of the substrate towards the back surface side thereof, and a second merged fluid channel for changing the flow direction of this fluid to flow to the downstream side so that the fluid flowing from the first merged fluid channel through the flow direction altering portion flows along the back surface of the substrate.