Preloaded Storage Container for Fluid Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing micro-dispensing technologies face challenges in accurately and reliably dispensing small volumes of fluids due to manual filling procedures, which can lead to contamination and inefficiencies, especially in precise positioning and quantity control.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a preloaded storage container coupled with a print head and reservoir, allowing for pressure-activated fluid release directly to the substrate, eliminating manual filling and reducing contamination risks, while using electrodes and detection circuits for precise fluid control and verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual fluid-filling procedures are used to load the print head, then the apparatus can be operated, but contamination and drying of the fluid occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid contamination controlVSAvoidmanual filling requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container is pre-filled with fluid before use, eliminating the need for manual filling operations. The container is prepared in advance with the exact amount of fluid needed, and then simply attached to the reservoir, preventing contamination and drying that occur during manual filling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid storage function is extracted from the print head assembly and placed into a separate, pre-filled storage container. This separation allows the fluid to be prepared and stored independently in a controlled environment, then transferred to the print head system without exposure to contamination risks during the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If manual filling procedures are used, then the apparatus can be loaded, but time and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidmanual filling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage container is designed as a disposable component that is pre-filled and then discarded after use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and reloading operations, significantly reducing the time and labor required for repeated dispensing operations while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the fluid is separated from the print head before use, then contamination and drying are mitigated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid protectionVSAvoidcontainer-reservoir-print head assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid delivery system is segmented into three distinct components: a storage container, a reservoir, and a print head. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in a controlled manner, protecting the fluid from contamination and drying while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir serves as an intermediary component between the storage container and the print head. It receives fluid from the container and delivers it to the print head, acting as a buffer that protects the fluid from exposure to the external environment until dispensing is required, thereby preventing contamination and drying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning and quantity control are required, then dispensing accuracy is improved, but manual filling errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid positioning and dosageVSAvoidmanual filling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container is pre-filled with the precise amount of fluid required using automated filling equipment under controlled conditions. This preliminary action ensures accurate dosing without the variability and error-prone nature of manual filling, as the container is prepared in advance with exact quantities needed for the dispensing application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 precise, automated dispensing of small fluid volumes with reduced manual intervention, minimizing errors and contamination, and facilitating applications like antimicrobial testing and PCR assays with improved repeatability and miniaturization capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A preloaded storage container, mounted on the reservoir, stores the fluid and provides the fluid to the reservoir in response to pressure applied to the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The print head can be a thermal ink jet (TIJ) print head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal ink jet: Heating

Implementation Method 3

or a piezoelectric print head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11110714B2Preloaded storage container and print head to dispense fluid

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An apparatus includes a print head coupled to a substrate to dispense fluid from the substrate in response to a command. A reservoir coupled to the substrate transports the fluid to the print head. A preloaded storage container mounted on the reservoir stores the fluid and provides the fluid to the reservoir in response to pressure applied to the container.