Fluid Control Valve Orientation for Bubble-Free Trace Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices face challenges in maintaining dispensing accuracy due to the accumulation of bubbles in fluid control valves, leading to inconsistent liquid volumes and reduced precision in trace dispensation.
Innovation Solution
The fluid control valve is rotated 180° and inclined such that the liquid outlet is positioned higher than the inlet, with the diaphragm oriented upward, to facilitate easy removal of gas and enhance dispensing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration mechanism is provided to remove bubbles in the dispensing device, then bubble removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid control valve itself serves the dual function of both controlling fluid flow and removing bubbles through its inclined configuration. The valve's structure and orientation enable automatic bubble removal without requiring external vibration mechanisms, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding active mechanisms (vibration) to remove bubbles, the invention inverts the approach by using passive gravitational forces through strategic positioning. The fluid control valve is inclined at 30-60 degrees with the liquid outlet higher than the inlet, allowing bubbles to naturally rise and escape through the outlet, converting a potential problem into a self-solving feature.
2Measurement precision
If bubbles are present in the fluid control valve during trace dispensation, then dispensing accuracy decreases, but removing bubbles requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial parameters of the fluid control valve by inclining it at a specific angle (30-60 degrees) and positioning the liquid outlet higher than the inlet. This parameter change exploits gravitational forces to enable bubbles to naturally rise and escape, improving dispensing accuracy without adding complex removal mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful presence of bubbles into a beneficial self-cleaning effect. By positioning the valve inclinally with the outlet higher than the inlet, bubbles that would normally cause dispensing errors are instead channeled to naturally rise and escape through the outlet, transforming a source of error into a self-correcting mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fluid control valve is positioned horizontally, then compact arrangement is achieved, but gas retention increases leading to poor dispensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry in the valve configuration by inclining the fluid control valve at 30-60 degrees rather than positioning it horizontally or vertically. The liquid outlet is positioned higher than the inlet, creating an asymmetric arrangement that optimizes bubble escape while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for automated analysis apparatus.
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 configuration significantly reduces gas retention within the fluid control valve, ensuring highly accurate trace dispensation by effectively eliminating bubbles, thereby improving reproducibility and reducing the complexity of the dispensing device.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid control valve (102, 103) for opening and closing a flow path of a trace liquid to be sucked or discharged, at an inclination of 30 to 60° with the horizontal line, is disposed between a discharge nozzle (100) and a syringe pump (101)
Data Source
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AI summary
If trace dispensation is carried out while there are still adhered bubbles, the internal pressure of a flow path fluctuates as a result of variation in the volume of the bubbles, and because the amount of liquid that should be dispensed is inconsistent, dispensing accuracy decreases. Thus, a special vibration mechanism for removing bubbles has been necessary. The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to extremely simply reduce the amount of gas remaining within a fluid control valve by devising a method for fixing the fluid control valve and achieve highly accurate trace dispensation by simply removing gas. To achieve this purpose, a dispensing device is provided with a discharge nozzle, a liquid feeding tube that is disposed so as to connect a reagent bottle in which a reagent is stored and the discharge nozzle and forms a reagent flow path, and a fluid control valve that is disposed on the liquid feeding tube route connecting the reagent bottle and the discharge nozzle. The fluid control valve is provided with a reagent flow path having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and a diaphragm valve provided in the middle of the flow path. The fluid control valve is disposed in an orientation such that the diaphragm valve is disposed at the bottom of the flow path of the fluid control valve.