Fluidic Dispensing Device Guide Portion for Microfluidic Remixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic dispensing devices with compact designs, incorporating both a fluid reservoir and an on-board fluid ejection chip, face challenges in remixing fluids near the ejection chip due to settling particulate, leading to potential clogging issues, which existing agitation methods in remote tanks do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic dispensing device with a guide portion that confines a stir bar, allowing for both bulk fluid remixing and localized remixing near the ejection chip, utilizing a stir bar with a rotational axis and paddles to generate fluid mixing and redistribution within the device's reservoir, ensuring uniform fluid distribution to the ejection nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact microfluidic dispensing device with on-board ejection chip is used, then device size is reduced, but fluid remixing capability near the ejection chip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is divided into a bulk region and an ejection chip region, with the stir bar selectively positioned to mix fluid in the bulk region while a separate guide portion ensures fluid from this region flows through the ejection chip region, providing localized remixing capability near the nozzles without increasing overall device volume
Solution Approach 2:
A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary structure that directs fluid flow from the bulk region through the ejection chip region, ensuring that mixed fluid reaches the nozzle area and preventing particulate settlement near the ejection chip without requiring a large device volume
2Stability of the object's composition
If remote tank agitation is used, then bulk fluid mixing is improved, but localized remixing near the ejection chip is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing function is segmented into two zones: the stir bar handles bulk fluid mixing in the bulk region, while the guide portion handles localized fluid direction and remixing in the ejection chip region, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without interference
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the chamber are given different functional qualities: the bulk region is optimized for large-scale mixing by the stir bar, while the ejection chip region is structured with the guide portion to ensure localized fluid movement and remixing near the nozzles, addressing the specific needs of each zone
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 solution effectively prevents clogging by ensuring uniform fluid mixing and particulate redistribution, maintaining fluid consistency and flow efficiency within the microfluidic dispensing device, even in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
A stir bar is located in the chamber. The stir bar has a rotational axis and a plurality of paddles that radially extend away from the rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic dispensing device includes a housing having a chamber that defines an interior space, and has an inlet port and an outlet port. A flow control portion has a flow separator feature. The flow separator feature is positioned adjacent the inlet port. A stir bar is located in the chamber, has a rotational axis, and has a plurality of paddles, with each paddle having a free end tip. The stir bar has a stir bar radius from the rotational axis to the free end tip. A guide portion confines the stir bar in a predetermined portion of the interior space of the chamber. A ratio of the stir bar radius and a clearance distance between the free end tip and the flow control portion is 5:2 to 5:0.025.