Micro Flow-Channel Chip Nested Assembly Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro flow-channel chips face issues with specimen mixing and increased manufacturing costs due to cross-sectional area differences in flow channel connections, leading to specimen stagnation and inefficient analysis.
Innovation Solution
A micro flow-channel chip design featuring two parts with a through hole and a projecting portion, where the projecting portion is inserted into the through hole to form a flow-channel connection, reducing the volume and cross-sectional area of the connection portion, allowing for efficient specimen flow and cost-effective die molding manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cross-sectional area of the flow channel is increased at connection portions, then the flow channel can be easier to manufacture, but the specimen is detained and mixes with previous specimens
Solution Approach 1:
The chip is divided into multiple parts (first part with through hole, second part with projecting portion) that are assembled together. The connection portion is segmented into the through hole and projecting portion components, allowing precise control of the cross-sectional area at the connection to prevent specimen detention while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting portion of the second part is inserted into the through hole of the first part, creating a nested structure. This nesting allows the connection portion to have a controlled cross-sectional area that matches the flow channel, preventing specimen detention while enabling assembly of pre-manufactured parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If the micro flow-channel chip is manufactured by die molding, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the cross-sectional area variation causes specimen stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the chip into multiple die-molded parts allows each part to be optimized for die molding while the assembled connection portion achieves the desired cross-sectional area consistency, preventing specimen stagnation and maintaining flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested structure of the projecting portion inserted into the through hole enables precise control of the connection portion's cross-sectional area, ensuring smooth specimen flow while allowing both parts to be manufactured cost-effectively by die molding.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flow channel connection portion has a larger cross-sectional area, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the specimen volume increases and analysis efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure precisely controls the connection portion's cross-sectional area to match the flow channel, minimizing the volume of specimen held at connections while maintaining assembly ease through the modular design of separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the chip into modular parts allows the connection portion to be designed with minimal cross-sectional area, reducing specimen volume requirements, while the modular nature maintains assembly ease through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a micro flow-channel chip formed of two or more parts, wherein a first part has a through hole that forms a flow-channel connection portion, a second part has a projecting portion, the projecting portion of the second part is inserted into the through hole of the first part, thereby a volume of the flow-channel connection portion is reduced, and furthermore, both of the first part and the second part are molded with a die.