Microvalve Pressing Ring Design for Lab-on-a-Chip Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microvalves and sealing devices in microfluidics systems, particularly lab-on-a-chip systems, are costly and complex to assemble, making them unsuitable for mass production of disposable products.
Innovation Solution
A microvalve design featuring a substrate with a sealing surface and a movable valve body, where the valve body is pressed against the substrate using a partially elastic pressing ring, eliminating the need for additional components like springs and complex housings, and allowing for a simpler assembly process through material connections such as welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional microvalves use separate components like springs and complex housings to press the valve body against the substrate, then reliable fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing ring integrates multiple functions: it presses the valve body against the substrate for sealing, provides structural support, and eliminates the need for separate springs and complex housings. This merging of functions reduces the number of components from several separate parts to a single integrated element, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing ring serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a pressing mechanism, a structural support element, and a mounting component for the valve body. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required separate dedicated components (springs for pressing, housings for support), thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
2Reliability
If traditional microvalves use multiple separate components for pressing and housing, then functional reliability is maintained, but manufacturing costs and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the pressing mechanism, support structure, and mounting features into a single pressing ring component, the invention reduces the number of assembly steps required for mass production. Fewer parts mean fewer handling, positioning, and fastening operations, directly improving productivity and suitability for automated manufacturing while maintaining functional reliability through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified pressing ring design enables the entire microvalve assembly to be manufactured as a low-cost, disposable unit suitable for mass production. The reduced component count and simplified structure allow for economical manufacturing methods and rapid assembly, making the device suitable for single-use applications where cost and production speed are critical
3Force
If traditional designs use complex pressing mechanisms with multiple parts, then adequate sealing pressure is achieved, but the number of components and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing ring consolidates the functions of multiple components (springs, pressing mechanisms, support structures) into a single element that provides adequate sealing pressure. The integrated design maintains the necessary force for fluid-tight sealing while eliminating the need for separate components, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient sealing pressure and reducing the number of components
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 design reduces assembly complexity and costs, enabling the production of microvalves and sealing devices that are more economical and suitable for mass production, while maintaining fluid-tight seals and allowing for higher integration densities on the chip.
Implementation Method 1
the pressing ring and/or the valve body is at least partly elastic
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-valve for controlling fluid flows and a sealing device for sealing off cavities in a microfluid system, in particular in a lab-on-a-chip system, and also a method for the production thereof. A valve body or a sealing element bears with a sealing surface against a sealing surface of a substrate, the valve body or the sealing element is pressed with the sealing surface thereof in a fluid-tight manner against the sealing surface of the substrate by means of a pressure-exerting ring, and the pressure-exerting ring is cohesively connected to the substrate. The pressure-exerting ring and/or the valve body or the sealing element are at least partially elastic.