Rotary Substrate Liquid Delivery via Bidirectional Inertial Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro liquid delivery methods for health diagnostic chips are limited by design inflexibility and restricted to one-directional liquid delivery due to reliance on centrifugal force, which restricts the arrangement of liquid passages and delivery behaviors.
Innovation Solution
A liquid delivery apparatus featuring a rotary substrate that rotates around a central axis, utilizing inertial force generated by abrupt braking or rapid rotation to deliver liquid between chambers, allowing for bidirectional delivery and increased design flexibility through capillary and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties in the fluid passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centrifugal force is used as the drive source for liquid delivery, then liquid delivery can be achieved without dead volume and multiple processes can be executed concurrently, but the arrangement position of the valve is limited to the radially outward direction and liquid delivery is restricted to one direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a rotary substrate that can rotate in multiple directions (clockwise and counterclockwise) to dynamically change the direction of liquid delivery. By controlling the rotation direction, the system can deliver liquid in multiple directions from a single chamber, overcoming the limitation of fixed centrifugal force-based systems while maintaining the ability to execute multiple processes concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary substrate with bidirectional rotation capability serves multiple functions: it can deliver liquid in different directions, control the timing of liquid delivery, and accommodate various valve arrangements. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple fixed-direction delivery systems, enhancing versatility while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If centrifugal force is used as the drive source, then liquid delivery is achieved, but the design flexibility of the rotary substrate is restricted and the arrangement of liquid passage structure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By making the rotary substrate rotatable in multiple directions rather than fixed in one orientation, the design gains flexibility in arranging liquid passages and chambers. The dynamic rotation capability allows the same basic structure to achieve different delivery configurations without increasing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the fluid passage end portion holds liquid by capillary force, then precise liquid control is achieved, but inertial force must be generated to overcome the capillary force for liquid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic rotation and abrupt stopping of the rotary substrate to generate inertial force only when needed for liquid delivery. During normal operation, capillary force maintains precise liquid control in the passage end portion. The periodic application of inertial force overcomes capillary retention at specific moments, enabling precise control while achieving delivery when required.
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
Enables flexible and efficient liquid delivery in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, enhancing design flexibility and enabling multiple functions, such as complex reactions and simultaneous processing of samples, with precise control over liquid quantity and timing.
Implementation Method 1
the first fluid passage end portion holding a liquid accommodated in the first chamber by a capillary force
Implementation Method 2
a rotary drive unit capable of rotating the rotary substrate around the central axis of rotation so that an inertial force exceeding the capillary force and oriented in the first rotation direction acts on the liquid in the first fluid passage end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid delivery apparatus 1 has a rotary substrate 2. The substrate 2 formed with a fluid passage 8A for communicating a supply chamber 6A and target chamber 7A. An inlet end portion 13 at which the fluid passage 8A is connected to the chamber 6A extends in a clockwise direction R1 of rotational directions of the substrate 2. The inlet end portion 13 holds a liquid 9 in the chamber 6A by a capillary force. The rotation drive unit 4 rotates the substrate 2 so that an inertial force exceeding the capillary force and directed to the clockwise direction R1 acts on the liquid 9 in the inlet end portion 13. Delivery behavior control of microfluid with a high degree of flexibility can be achieved.