Fluidic Valve Using Thermal Adhesive Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic devices with normally closed valves require high pressure to open, making it difficult to predict and control the flow rate, as the opening behavior is coupled with the fluid transport, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device with a valve mechanism using an adhesive layer that reduces its adhesive effect when exposed to heat or electromagnetic radiation, decoupling the valve operation from the fluid transport, allowing for controlled opening and maintaining the open state without additional energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a normally closed valve is used in existing fluidic devices, then the valve can prevent fluid flow until needed, but high pressure is required to open the valve making flow rate difficult to predict and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pressure-based valve opening mechanism with a thermal field-based adhesive degradation mechanism. Instead of using high fluid pressure to force the valve open, the system uses localized heating to degrade the adhesive bonding the cover layer to the valve seat, allowing the valve to open with minimal fluid pressure. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable closure through adhesive bonding while enabling easy, controllable opening through thermal activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the adhesive layer by applying thermal energy. The adhesive transitions from a high-bonding-state at room temperature to a low-bonding-state when heated, fundamentally changing its mechanical properties. This parameter change allows the valve to remain reliably closed under normal conditions while enabling controlled opening when thermal energy is applied, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing closure reliability.
2Force
If high pressure is applied to open the valve, then the valve can be forced open, but the resulting flow rate becomes difficult to control and predict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force-based opening approach with a thermal field-based approach. Instead of applying high fluid pressure to overcome the valve closure, localized thermal energy is applied to degrade the adhesive bonding the cover layer to the valve seat. This substitution eliminates the need for high opening forces while enabling precise control of the opening process, thereby improving flow rate precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal energy as an intermediary mechanism between the control system and the valve opening process. The thermal field acts as a mediator that indirectly causes the valve to open by degrading the adhesive, rather than directly applying mechanical force to the valve. This intermediary approach provides finer control over the opening process, improving flow rate precision while reducing the need for high forces.
3Device complexity
If the valve opening is coupled with fluid transport, then the system is simpler, but the opening behavior and time are difficult to predict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve opening process from the fluid transport process by introducing a separate thermal activation mechanism. The adhesive degradation and valve opening are decoupled from the fluid flow, allowing independent control and prediction of opening behavior. This segmentation enables accurate prediction of opening time based on thermal input rather than fluid pressure dynamics, improving time predictability while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal energy as an intermediary that mediates the valve opening process independently of fluid transport. This intermediary mechanism provides a clear causal relationship between thermal input and opening behavior, making opening time and behavior predictable based on thermal parameters rather than complex fluid-structure interactions. The intermediary approach maintains system simplicity while improving predictability.
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
Enables precise and controlled release of the fluid transport path without acting on the fluid itself, allowing for adjustable flow rates and pressures, improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive layer has an adhesive effect that decreases when exposed to heat and/or electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Fluidic device (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h), comprising at least one first fluid receiving and/or conveying region (1) having a first fluid inlet (11) and a first fluid outlet (12), at least one second fluid receiving and/or conveying region (2) having a second fluid inlet (21) and a second fluid outlet (22), and at least one fluid valve (3, 3a, 3b) provided between the first fluid outlet (12) and the second fluid inlet (21), which in an open state releases a fluid transport path (4) between the first fluid outlet (12) and the second fluid inlet (21), wherein the fluid valve (3) has a valve seat (31) extending between the first fluid receiving and/or conveying region (1) and the second fluid receiving and/or conveying region (2);a cover layer (5) is provided by means of an adhesive layer (6) on a first opening area (13) of the first fluid receiving and/or conveying area (1) adjacent to the valve seat (31), on a valve seat surface (32, 32b) and on a second opening area (23) of the second fluid receiving and/or conveying area (2) adjacent to the valve seat (31), wherein the adhesive layer (6) forms a valve seal between the valve seat surface (32, 32b) and the cover layer (5); and the adhesive layer (6) has an adhesive effect that decreases when exposed to heat and/or electromagnetic radiation.