Multifunctional Housing Component for Microfluidic Flow Cell Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic flow cells lack efficiency in integrating multiple functional sections into a single, easily assembled unit, limiting their complexity and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional housing component is developed using a composite material with both hard and soft constituents, allowing for efficient production and integration of various functional sections such as pumps, valves, and storage chambers through injection molding, welding, and adhesive bonding, enabling a single connection process for complex flow cell assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple functional sections are integrated into a single housing component, then device complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional sections (pump, valve, storage chamber) into a single housing component produced by composite injection molding. This merging of previously separate parts into one multifunctional component directly reduces assembly complexity while the injection molding process maintains manufacturing precision through standardized production methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing component is designed as a universal part that performs multiple functions simultaneously - pumping, valve operation, and storage. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed, simplifying device complexity while the standardized injection molding process ensures consistent manufacturing precision across all functional sections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If composite material with hard and soft constituents is used, then functionality and flexibility are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite injection molding to produce a housing component with both hard and soft material constituents. The hard material provides structural integrity for the housing, while the soft material enables flexible functional sections like pump membranes and valve elements. This composite approach enhances functional versatility while the injection molding process manages material complexity through a standardized manufacturing method.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing component utilize different material properties - hard material in structural areas and soft material in functional areas requiring flexibility. This local differentiation of material quality enhances functional versatility (pumping, valving, storage) while the single-step composite molding process prevents manufacturing complexity from escalating.
3Productivity
If single connection process is used for assembling all functional sections, then productivity is improved, but reliability of connections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional sections into a single housing component that is produced as one piece through composite injection molding. This merging eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps and connections, thereby improving productivity while simultaneously enhancing reliability by removing potential failure points associated with multiple connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional sections are pre-integrated into the housing component during the injection molding process itself, before final assembly. This preliminary integration ensures that connections are formed under controlled manufacturing conditions rather than during assembly, improving both productivity and connection reliability.
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 approach allows for the efficient fabrication of complex flow cells with multiple functional sections in a single assembly process, enhancing the flow cell's functionality and hermetic sealing, while enabling flexible and controlled fluid handling and sample processing.
Implementation Method 1
Curved pump elements may be deformed manually, or by an actuation element of an operating instrument, in such a way that a pump volume formed by the pump element is modified.
Implementation Method 2
The covering force, optionally reinforced by an actuation element of an operating instrument, of the closure element may additionally ensure the hermetic closure or on its own be essential for the hermetic closure.
Implementation Method 3
In the case of thermal riveting, leaktightness is established between the housing component and the substrate by clamping forces, by rivet pins that protrude from the substrate or housing component into through-openings in the respective other component being deformed under the effect of heat
Implementation Method 4
The housing component may be welded or/and thermally riveted to the substrate.
Implementation Method 5
The soft constituent sections may comprise soft constituent sections locally welded or/and adhesively bonded to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic flow cell for carrying out an analysis, having a substrate of synthetic material, which has cavities for the formation of channel structures and chambers, wherein the cavities are closed on one side of the substrate by a film adhesively bonded or welded to the substrate, and having a housing component that is produced with a hard and a soft component, which, on the side of the substrate facing away from the film, is connected to the substrate, completing functional sections respectively fulfilling the function of the flow cell. The housing component is formed as a multifunctional part completing more than two functional sections.