Inlet Structure Micro Structures Fluid Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detection apparatuses face challenges in guiding fluids into inlets due to surface tension, requiring additional absorbent materials, which increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

An inlet structure with micro structures, such as convex or concave-shaped features, is integrated into the detection apparatus to destroy surface tension, allowing fluids to flow into microchannels via capillary action without the need for absorbent materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If absorbent material is used to guide fluid into the inlet, then fluid guidance is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid guidanceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet structure itself performs the fluid guidance function through its micro structures, eliminating the need for separate absorbent materials. The micro structures enable the inlet to autonomously guide fluid via capillary action, making the system self-sufficient and reducing component count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet structure incorporates micro structures that create capillary channels within the inlet body. These porous-like micro channels guide the fluid through capillary action, replacing the function previously performed by absorbent materials while integrating the guidance capability directly into the inlet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If absorbent material is added to the detection apparatus, then fluid absorption capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid absorption capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid absorption and guidance functions are merged into the inlet structure itself through the integrated micro structures. The inlet now performs both fluid guidance and absorption tasks that were previously separated between the inlet and absorbent materials, simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The micro structures act as intermediaries between the external fluid source and the internal fluid handling system. These micro structures mediate the fluid transfer process by providing capillary channels that guide and absorb fluid, replacing the need for separate absorbent material components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enables cost reduction by eliminating the requirement for absorbent materials while ensuring efficient fluid guidance into microchannels, enhancing the detection process.

Implementation Method 1

the micro structure destroys the surface tension of the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

cause the fluid to flow into the microchannel by a capillary action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3391967B1Detection apparatus and inlet structure thereof
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SKYLA CORP HSINCHU SCI PARK BRANCH
  • EP3391967B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3391967B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An inlet structure (200) is adapted to be connected to a microchannel (300). The inlet structure includes an inlet portion (210) and at least one micro structure (220). The inlet portion contains an inner surface. The micro structure is disposed in the inlet portion and connected to the inner surface. When a fluid is injected into the inlet portion, the micro structure destroys a surface tension of the fluid to cause the fluid to flow into the microchannel by capillary action.