Micromixer With Non-Through Grooves for High Pressure Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micromixers face challenges in ensuring the strength of thin channels and portions between channels while minimizing the number of plates required for channel formation.
Innovation Solution
A micromixer design featuring plates with thin channels and portions between channels, where the channels are formed by non-through grooves, ensuring strength and reducing the number of plates needed. The design includes communication channels for fluid flow and confluence channels for mixing, with additional features like bosses for flow direction change and reduced pressure-receiving areas for enhanced strength and pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through grooves are used to form introduction channels, then channels can be formed, but the periphery of the portion between channels is cut, making it difficult to ensure strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the channel formation process into two separate operations: non-through grooves are formed in the channel plate to create channels, and then separate communication channels are formed to connect these channels. This segmentation allows the channel plate to maintain structural integrity while still forming functional channels, as the non-through grooves do not completely penetrate the plate and thus do not compromise the strength of portions between channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication channels as an intermediary element that connects the non-through grooves to form complete fluid pathways. Instead of using single through grooves that would weaken the structure, the communication channels act as mediators that link multiple non-through grooves, achieving both channel functionality and structural strength.
2Device complexity
If the number of plates is reduced to simplify configuration, then device complexity decreases, but ensuring strength of thin portions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the channel plate by forming both the introduction channels (via non-through grooves) and the confluence channels (via separate grooves) in the same plate. This consolidation reduces the total number of plates needed while maintaining structural integrity, as the channel plate is designed to handle multiple channel formation tasks without requiring additional support plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the channel plate effectively by forming non-through grooves that extend only partially through the plate thickness. This dimensional approach allows channels to be formed while leaving sufficient material in the plate to maintain strength, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the conflict between channel formation and structural integrity.
3Productivity
If thin branch channels are used to facilitate mixing, then mixing efficiency improves, but the portion between channels becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel formation into non-through grooves for thin branch channels and separate communication channels. This allows the thin branch channels to be formed for improved mixing efficiency while the communication channels provide structural support paths that maintain the strength of portions between the thin branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions: thin non-through grooves are used where mixing efficiency is needed (branch channels), while thicker communication channels are used where structural support is needed (connection regions). This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both mixing performance and structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A micromixer includes: a first channel plate where a first channel and a plurality of first branch channels are each formed by a non-through groove in a front surface, and a first confluence channel is formed by a non-through groove in a rear surface, and includes a first communication channel that communicates the first branch channels with the first confluence channel; a first lid plate that covers the front surface; a second channel plate where a second confluence channel is formed by a non-through groove in the front surface, and a second channel and a plurality of second branch each formed by a non-through groove in the rear surface, and includes a second communication channel that communicates the second branch channels with the second confluence channel; and a second lid plate that covers the rear surface of the second channel plate.