阅读说明：本技术 微型阀 (Micro valve ) 是由 卢文剑 芝本繁明 高桥一法 佐藤彩夏 于 2020-08-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种微型阀。在层叠构造的微型阀中提高异物混入时的密封性。微型阀(10)具有层叠构造,具备基座层(20)和隔膜层(30)。在基座层形成有用于向微型阀内导入气体的流入口(23)以及用于使该气体向外部流出的流出口。隔膜层与基座层相对地配置。隔膜层通过进行弹性变形而对自流入口向流出口的气体的流通和切断进行切换。隔膜层具有交替地形成有多个变形区域(33)和多个刚体区域(34)的结构,所述变形区域(33)能够随着气动流体向微型阀内流入而弹性变形。在隔膜层中,通过使多个变形区域的至少一部分弹性变形从而封闭流入口以及流出口中的至少一者。(The invention provides a micro valve. The micro valve with a laminated structure has improved sealing performance when foreign matters are mixed. A microvalve (10) has a laminated structure and is provided with a base layer (20) and a diaphragm layer (30). An inlet (23) for introducing gas into the micro valve and an outlet for discharging the gas to the outside are formed in the base layer. The membrane layer is disposed opposite the base layer. The diaphragm layer is elastically deformed to switch between flowing and shutting of gas from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm layer has a structure in which a plurality of deformation regions (33) and a plurality of rigid body regions (34) are alternately formed, and the deformation regions (33) can be elastically deformed as the pneumatic fluid flows into the microvalve. At least a part of the plurality of deformation regions is elastically deformed in the membrane layer to close at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.)

1. A microvalve having a laminated structure, wherein,

the micro valve includes:

a base layer having an inlet for introducing a gas into the micro valve and an outlet for allowing the gas introduced from the inlet to flow out; and

a diaphragm layer disposed so as to face the base layer and switching between flowing and blocking of gas from the inlet port to the outlet port by elastic deformation,

the diaphragm layer has a structure in which a plurality of deformation regions and a plurality of rigid body regions are alternately formed, the deformation regions being capable of elastically deforming as pneumatic fluid flows into the microvalve,

in the membrane layer, at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port is closed by elastically deforming at least a part of the plurality of deformation regions.

2. The microvalve of claim 1, wherein,

the diaphragm layer is formed of a single material, and the thickness of the plurality of deformation regions in the stacking direction is thinner than the thickness of the plurality of rigid body regions in the stacking direction.

3. The microvalve of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

when the diaphragm layer is viewed from the stacking direction in plan, the deformation regions and a part of the rigid body regions have a circular ring shape, and the deformation regions and the rigid body regions are alternately formed concentrically.

4. The microvalve of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the microvalve is further provided with a cover layer,

the membrane layer is disposed between the cover layer and the base layer.

5. The microvalve of claim 4, wherein,

the pneumatic fluid flows between the diaphragm layer and the cover layer, and presses the diaphragm layer against the base layer, thereby closing at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.

6. The microvalve of claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

7. The microvalve of claim 3, wherein,

the microvalve is further provided with a cover layer,

the membrane layer is disposed between the cover layer and the base layer.

8. The microvalve of claim 7, wherein,

the pneumatic fluid flows between the diaphragm layer and the cover layer, and presses the diaphragm layer against the base layer, thereby closing at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.

9. The microvalve of claim 3, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

10. The microvalve of claim 4, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

11. The microvalve of claim 5, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

12. The microvalve of claim 7, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

13. The microvalve of claim 8, wherein,

the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

14. A microvalve having a laminated structure, wherein,

the micro valve includes:

a base layer having an inlet for introducing a gas into the micro valve and an outlet for allowing the gas introduced from the inlet to flow out; and

a diaphragm layer disposed so as to face the base layer and switching between flowing and blocking of gas from the inlet port to the outlet port by elastic deformation,

the diaphragm layer includes a deformation region that is elastically deformable in response to an inflow of a pneumatic fluid into the microvalve, and a rigid body region for limiting a deformation amount of the deformation region,

at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port is covered and closed by the elastically deformed deformation region.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a microvalve, and more particularly to a structure for improving sealability of a microvalve having a laminated structure.

Background

As a valve device for a switching flow path that can be used in an analysis device such as a gas chromatograph, a micro valve that switches between flowing and blocking of a fluid using an elastically deformable diaphragm is known.

International publication No. 2018/235229 (patent document 1) discloses a microvalve having a laminated structure including a diaphragm layer in which a deformation portion is formed around a moving portion. In the microvalve of international publication No. 2018/235229 (patent document 1), by flowing a fluid for controlling the valve (hereinafter, also referred to as "pneumatic fluid") into the microvalve and elastically deforming a deformable portion of a diaphragm layer, an inlet and/or an outlet through which a sample gas passes can be closed by using a movable portion.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2018/235229

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the structure of the microvalve of international publication No. 2018/235229 (patent document 1), the deformed portion is formed by locally reducing the thickness of a material (e.g., silicon) forming the diaphragm layer. In other words, the thickness of the material of the moving portion of the diaphragm layer is made thicker than the thickness of the material of the deformation portion, and the entire moving portion moves as a rigid body in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformation portion.

In the micro valve having such a structure, when foreign matter is mixed into the sealing surface between the base layer, in which the inlet/outlet port for the sample gas is formed, and the moving portion of the diaphragm layer, even if the pneumatic fluid is introduced to shut off the sample gas, a gap may be formed between the base layer and the moving portion due to the foreign matter, thereby affecting the sealing performance. In such a case, the sample gas may leak from the inlet to the outlet, and the flow path may not be appropriately switched.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to improve sealability when foreign matter is mixed in a microvalve having a laminated structure.

Means for solving the problems

The microvalve according to claim 1 of the present invention has a laminated structure, and includes a base layer and a diaphragm layer. The base layer is provided with an inlet port for introducing gas into the micro valve and an outlet port for allowing gas introduced from the inlet port to flow out. The membrane layer is disposed opposite the base layer. The diaphragm layer switches between flowing and shutting of gas from the inlet to the outlet by elastic deformation. The diaphragm layer has a structure in which a plurality of deformation regions capable of being elastically deformed in accordance with the inflow of the pneumatic fluid into the microvalve and a plurality of rigid body regions are alternately formed. At least a part of the plurality of deformation regions is elastically deformed in the membrane layer to close at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.

The microvalve according to claim 2 of the present invention has a laminated structure, and includes a base layer and a diaphragm layer. The base layer is provided with an inlet port for introducing gas into the micro valve and an outlet port for allowing gas introduced from the inlet port to flow out. The membrane layer is disposed opposite the base layer. The diaphragm layer switches between flowing and shutting of gas from the inlet to the outlet by elastic deformation. The diaphragm layer includes a deformation region that is elastically deformable in response to inflow of a pneumatic fluid into the microvalve, and a rigid body region for limiting an amount of deformation of the deformation region. At least one of the inflow port and the outflow port is covered and closed by the elastically deformed deformation region.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

With the microvalve of the present disclosure, the diaphragm layer has a structure formed of a plurality of deformation regions and a plurality of rigid body regions, or has a structure in which at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port is covered by a deformation region when the deformation region is elastically deformed. This increases the flexibility of the diaphragm layer, and therefore, even when foreign matter is mixed into the sealing surface, at least one of the inlet and the outlet can be closed. Therefore, the micro valve can improve the sealing performance when foreign matters are mixed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a microvalve according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the microvalve of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the microvalve of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the membrane layer of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view 1 for explaining the operation of the microvalve of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view 2 for explaining the operation of the microvalve of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of a microvalve of a comparative example.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state of a micro valve of a comparative example in a case where foreign matter is mixed.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state of the micro valve according to the embodiment in a case where foreign matter is mixed.

Fig. 10 is a graph for explaining the leak rate of the microvalve of the comparative example and the microvalve of the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a side perspective view of a microvalve according to modification 1.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a diaphragm layer of a microvalve according to modification 2.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 10A, a micro valve; 20. a base layer; 21. 31, 41, a recess; 22 to 24, 32, 52 to 54, an opening; 25. a bottom; 26. 36, an outer edge portion; 30. 30A, 30B, a membrane layer; 33. a deformation region; 34. a rigid body region; 40. a cover layer; 50. a flow path member; 62. a supply port; 63. an inflow port; 64. an outflow port; 70. a foreign object.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[ embodiment ]

(Structure of micro valve)

The structure of the microvalve 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a microvalve 10, and fig. 2 is an exploded view of the perspective view of fig. 1. Fig. 1 and 2 show a state in which a part of the microvalve 10 is cut away. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the microvalve 10, and fig. 4 is a plan view of the membrane layer 30.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the microvalve 10 has a laminated structure in which a plurality of plate-like members having an outer shape that is substantially square when viewed in plan from a normal direction are laminated. In the following description, the stacking direction (i.e., the normal direction) of the microvalve 10 is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the directions of the sides adjacent to each other in the square planar shape are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively. For example, the dimension (thickness) of the microvalve 10 in the Z direction is about 1mm to 2mm, and the dimensions in both the X direction and the Y direction are about 1 cm. For convenience of illustration, the positive direction of the Z axis in the drawings is referred to as an upward direction, and the negative direction is referred to as a downward direction.

The microvalve 10 includes the base layer 20, the membrane layer 30, and the cover layer 40 as the plurality of plate-like members described above. Each of the base layer 20, the membrane layer 30, and the cover layer 40 has substantially the same outer shape in a plan view. In order to achieve desired strength and flexibility, the respective layers of the base layer 20, the diaphragm layer 30, and the cover layer 40 are formed using a single material such as silicon, glass, iron (stainless steel and carbon steel), titanium, brass, or PEEK (Poly Ether Ketone) resin, and are subjected to microfabrication using MEMS (Micro electrical Mechanical Systems) technology.

The base layer 20 is disposed at the lowermost layer of the microvalve 10. The base layer 20 is formed with a recess 21 and openings 22-24 penetrating the base layer 20. The concave portion 21 has a substantially circular shape and is formed in the vicinity of a substantially center of the base layer 20 in a plan view of the base layer 20. The recess 21 is recessed from the upper surface side toward the lower surface side of the base layer 20. The thickness of the base layer 20 is about 150 μm. The depth of the recess 21 is 5 μm to 20 μm, preferably about 10 μm.

The openings 23, 24 are formed in the bottom 25 of the recess 21. As will be described later, the openings 23 and 24 form an inlet and an outlet for the sample gas, respectively. The opening 22 is formed in the outer edge 26 of the base layer 20 around the recess 21, apart from the recess 21. As will be described later, the opening 22 forms a supply port for a control fluid (pneumatic fluid) of the microvalve 10.

The diaphragm layer 30 is disposed on the upper surface side of the base layer 20 so as to face the base layer 20. As shown in fig. 4, a plurality of annular recesses 31 formed concentrically and openings 32 penetrating the membrane layer 30 are formed in the membrane layer 30. The annular recess 31 is recessed from the upper surface side toward the lower surface side of the diaphragm layer 30. The bottom 33 of the annular recess 31 is thinner in thickness than the portions 34 between the annular recesses 31 and has flexibility. The bottom of the annular recess 31 is elastically deformed to move the portion 34 between the annular recesses 31 in the vertical direction. The outer shape of the outermost annular recess 31 is substantially the same as the outer shape of the recess 21 in the base layer 20. Hereinafter, the bottom 33 of the annular recessed portion 31 is also referred to as a "deformation region 33", and the portion 34 between the annular recessed portions 31 is also referred to as a "rigid body region 34". As shown in fig. 4, in the embodiment, the annular recessed portion 31 has an annular shape, and the deformed regions 33 and the rigid body regions 34 are alternately formed concentrically. The "deformed region 33" and the "rigid body region 34" form a moving portion.

The opening 32 is formed in the outer edge 36 of the diaphragm layer 30 around the annular recess 31, apart from the annular recess 31. In a plan view, the opening 32 is formed at a position overlapping the opening 22 of the base layer 20 and forms a supply port of the pneumatic fluid together with the opening 22.

The cover layer 40 is disposed on the upper surface side of the membrane layer 30 so as to face the membrane layer 30. That is, the membrane layer 30 is disposed between the base layer 20 and the cover layer 40.

The cover layer 40 has a recess 41. The recess 41 is recessed from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the cover 40. The recess 41 is formed to cover the opening 32 and the annular recess 31 of the diaphragm layer 30. Therefore, the pneumatic fluid supplied through the openings 22 and 32 fills the annular recess 31 through the recess 41.

The openings and recesses in each layer are formed in advance in each layer by, for example, dry etching or blast processing. Then, each layer is inactivated and laminated to form the microvalve 10.

As shown in fig. 3, the microvalve 10 is connected to a flow path member 50 and used. Openings 52 to 54 are formed in the flow path member 50 at positions corresponding to the openings 22 to 24 of the base layer 20, respectively. The opening 52 of the flow path member 50, the opening 22 of the base layer 20, and the opening 32 of the diaphragm layer 30 communicate with each other, and form a supply port 62 for the pneumatic fluid. The pneumatic fluid is supplied to the recess 41 of the cover layer 40 via the supply port 62.

The opening 53 of the flow path member 50 communicates with the opening 23 of the base layer 20, and forms an inlet 63 for the sample gas. The opening 54 of the flow path member 50 communicates with the opening 24 of the base layer 20, and forms an outlet 64 for the sample gas.

(micro valve action)

Next, the operation of the micro valve 10 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Referring to fig. 3 and 5, in a state (initial state) in which neither the pneumatic fluid nor the sample gas is supplied to the microvalve 10, as shown in fig. 3, the deformation region 33 and the rigid body region 34 of the diaphragm layer 30 are disposed at positions spaced apart from the base layer 20 and the cover layer 40.

In the initial state, when the sample gas is supplied to the inlet 63, the outermost deformed region 33 is elastically deformed by a differential pressure between the pressure in the space between the membrane layer 30 and the base layer 20 and the pressure in the space between the membrane layer 30 and the cover layer 40, and the rigid body region 34 and the other deformed regions 33 are displaced upward. As a result, as shown by an arrow AR1 in fig. 5, the sample gas introduced from the inlet 63 flows out to the outside through the outlet 64 while maintaining the communication state between the inlet 63 and the outlet 64. That is, the microvalve 10 is in an open state.

At this time, the upper surface of the rigid body region 34 abuts against the concave portion 41 of the cover layer 40, thereby limiting the amount of deformation of the deformation region 33. That is, the rigid body region 34 functions as a stopper. By limiting the amount of deformation of the deformation region 33 with the rigid body region 34, breakage of the deformation region 33 due to excessive deformation can be prevented.

In the above description of fig. 5, the case where the pneumatic fluid is not supplied has been described, but in the case where the supply pressure of the sample gas is higher than the supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, the state can be the same as that of fig. 5 even in the case where the pneumatic fluid is supplied.

On the other hand, when a pneumatic fluid having a pressure higher than the supply pressure of the sample gas is supplied to the supply port 62 as shown by an arrow AR2 in fig. 6, the outermost deformation region 33 is elastically deformed by the differential pressure between the pneumatic fluid and the sample gas, and the rigid body region 34 and the other deformation regions 33 are displaced downward. Then, the lower surfaces of the rigid body region 34 and the deformation region 33 are in close contact with the bottom 25 of the recess 21 of the base layer 20, and at least one of the inlet 63 and the outlet 64 of the sample gas is closed. Thereby, the flow path of the sample gas supplied to the inlet 63 is cut off (arrow AR 3). That is, the microvalve 10 is in the closed state.

When the supply of the pneumatic fluid is stopped from the state of fig. 6 or when the supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid is made lower than the supply pressure of the sample gas, the state of fig. 5 is restored and the micro valve 10 is opened again.

In such a microvalve in which the diaphragm layer is elastically deformed by the pressure of the pneumatic fluid to switch between the passage and the cutoff of the fluid, the gap between the base layer and the diaphragm layer in the recess of the base layer is set to about 5 μm to 20 μm as described above. Therefore, even if very small foreign matter is mixed into the fluid, the sealing performance of the microvalve may be affected. Next, the operation of the micro valve of the present embodiment in the case where foreign matter is mixed between the base layer and the membrane layer will be described while comparing with the comparative example.

Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of a microvalve 10# of a comparative example disclosed in international publication No. 2018/235229 (patent document 1). Only 1 annular recess 31 (i.e., deformation region 33) is formed in the diaphragm layer 30# of the microvalve 10#, and the entire inside of the annular recess 31 becomes a rigid body region 34 #. When the pneumatic fluid is supplied to the supply port 62, the lower surface of the rigid body region 34# is brought into close contact with the bottom 25 of the recess 21 in the base layer 20, thereby shutting off the flow path of the sample gas.

In the microvalve 10# of this comparative example, it is considered that the foreign substance 70 is mixed into the space between the diaphragm layer 30# and the base layer 20. As described above, in the micro valve 10#, the rigid body region 34# and the base layer 20 are brought into close contact by surface contact to block the flow path of the sample gas, but since the rigid body region 34# is not elastically deformed or the amount of deformation by elastic deformation is small within the range of the pneumatic fluid pressure, the rigid body region 34# and the base layer 20 are no longer able to come into surface contact when the foreign matter 70 is mixed between the rigid body region 34# and the base layer 20, and a gap may be generated between the rigid body region 34# and the base layer 20 as shown in fig. 8.

In this case, the sample gas (solid line arrow AR5 in fig. 8) introduced from the inlet 63 leaks to the outlet 64 (broken line arrow AR6 in fig. 8) through the gap, and the sealing performance of the micro valve is affected.

On the other hand, in the case of the micro valve 10 according to the embodiment, since the plurality of annular recesses 31 forming the deformed region 33 are formed concentrically, even when foreign matter 70 is mixed in the space between the diaphragm layer 30 and the base layer 20, as shown in fig. 9, the flexibility of the entire moving portion is increased by the plurality of deformed regions 33 having flexibility, and the diaphragm layer 30 and the base layer 20 can be brought into surface contact with each other at portions other than the periphery of the foreign matter 70. This can block at least one of the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64, thereby preventing leakage of the sample gas to the outflow port 64. Therefore, the micro valve 10 of the embodiment can improve the sealing property when foreign matter is mixed, as compared with the comparative example.

Fig. 10 is a graph for explaining the results of experimental measurement of the leak rate of the sample gas in the microvalve 10# of the comparative example and the microvalve 10 of the embodiment. In fig. 10, the horizontal axis represents the sample number of the microvalve to be measured, and the vertical axis represents the leak rate in logarithmic terms. The leak rate is expressed as the amount of leakage per unit time at a unit pressure, and a higher leak rate means a lower sealing performance. In fig. 10, the square symbols indicate the case of the microvalve 10# of the comparative example, and the triangular symbols indicate the case of the microvalve 10 of the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10, in the microvalve 10 of the embodiment, about 4 × 10 can be realized for any sample^-6[cc·atm/sec]～7×10^-6[cc·atm/sec]Stable leak rate. In the microvalve 10# of the comparative example, the leak rate was 10X 10^-6[cc·atm/sec]～200×10^-6[cc·atm/sec]It is higher than the microvalve 10 of the embodiment, and the variation of each sample is large.

In the experiment of fig. 10, although foreign matter is not intentionally mixed into the sample gas, it can be understood from the experimental result that the microvalve 10 of the embodiment is less susceptible to the influence of foreign matter contained in the sample gas than the comparative example.

In addition, in the microvalve 10# of the comparative example, since the rigid body region 34# is large in size relative to the particle diameter of the foreign matter 70, in a state (fig. 8) in which the foreign matter 70 is sandwiched between the bottom portion 25 of the base layer 20 and the rigid body region 34#, stress concentrates only on a part of the rigid body region 34# that is in contact with the foreign matter 70. In contrast, in the microvalve 10 of the present embodiment, 1 rigid body region 34 is smaller in size than the comparative example, and the deformation region 33 is formed between the rigid body regions 34, so a part of the force applied by the foreign matter 70 is used for elastic deformation of the deformation region 33. Therefore, in the microvalve 10 of the present embodiment, the stress applied to the rigid body region 34 can be reduced.

Although not shown in the figure, a state of stress concentration when the differential pressure between the upper and lower sides of the membrane layer is 200kPa was simulated, and as a result, the equivalent stress (von semiconductors stress) of the contact portion with the foreign matter 70 was about 800MPa in the microvalve 10# of the comparative example and about 600MPa in the microvalve 10 of the embodiment.

As described above, in the microvalve having the laminated structure, the structure in which the plurality of deformation regions and the plurality of rigid body regions are alternately formed is applied to the diaphragm layer that switches between the flow and the cut of the sample gas, whereby the sealing property when the foreign matter is mixed can be improved. Further, with the above configuration, stress applied to the diaphragm layer when foreign matter is mixed can be reduced, and therefore, the micro valve can be prevented from being damaged, and the life can be prolonged.

[ modified examples ]

(modification 1)

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the diaphragm layer is formed with the plurality of deformation regions and the plurality of rigid body regions alternately has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this as long as the flexibility of the diaphragm layer can be improved.

Fig. 11 is a side perspective view of a microvalve 10A according to modification 1. Most of the diaphragm layer 30A of the microvalve 10A is formed of a thin film-like deformed region 33, and a rigid region 34 is formed only in the vicinity of the center of the deformed region 33. In the microvalve 10A, a portion overlapping the inlet 63 and the outlet 64 is covered with the deformed region 33 when the diaphragm layer 30A is viewed in plan.

Since most of the diaphragm layer 30A of the microvalve 10A is the deformed region 33, when foreign matter is mixed, the periphery of the foreign matter is elastically deformed, and the portions of the inflow port 63 and the outflow port 64 are covered with the deformed region 33 and are closed. Thereby ensuring sealability.

When the entire diaphragm layer 30A is formed as the thin film-shaped deformation region 33, for example, when the supply of the pneumatic fluid is stopped and the micro valve is in an open state, the deformation amount of the deformation region 33 becomes excessively large, and there is a possibility that the deformation region 33 is damaged. Therefore, as shown in fig. 11, the rigid body region 34 is locally formed to limit the amount of deformation of the deformation region 33, and damage to the deformation region 33 can be suppressed. The rigid body region 34 is not limited to being formed only at the position 1 as shown in fig. 11, and may be formed at a plurality of positions.

(modification 2)

In the above-described embodiments, the case where the deformation region and the rigid body region of the diaphragm layer are circular in a plan view has been described, but the deformation region and the rigid body region may not necessarily be circular. For example, the outer shapes of the deformed region 33 and the rigid body region 34 may be quadrilateral as in the diaphragm layer 30B of modification example 2 of fig. 12. Although not shown, the deformed region 33 and the rigid body region 34 may have an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape of a quadrangle or more. From the viewpoint of suppressing the damage of the separator layer, a circular shape in which the deformation in the in-plane deformation region is uniform and local stress concentration can be suppressed is more preferable.

[ form ]

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following embodiments.

The microvalve according to the first embodiment (item 1) is a microvalve having a laminated structure. The micro valve includes: a base layer having an inlet for introducing gas into the micro valve and an outlet for allowing gas introduced from the inlet to flow out; and a diaphragm layer which is disposed so as to face the base layer and switches between flowing and shutting of gas from the inlet to the outlet by elastic deformation. The diaphragm layer has a structure in which a plurality of deformation regions and a plurality of rigid body regions are alternately formed, and the deformation regions are elastically deformable as the pneumatic fluid flows into the microvalve. At least a part of the plurality of deformation regions is elastically deformed in the membrane layer to close at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.

The microvalve according to claim 1, which has a diaphragm layer formed of a plurality of deformation regions and a plurality of rigid body regions, wherein the plurality of deformation regions deform in accordance with inflow of a pneumatic fluid to close at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port. Since the diaphragm layer has a plurality of deformed regions, flexibility of the diaphragm layer is increased, and therefore, even when foreign matter is mixed into the sealing surface, at least one of the inlet and the outlet can be reliably closed. Therefore, the micro valve can improve the sealing performance when foreign matters are mixed.

(item 2) the microvalve of item 1, wherein the diaphragm layer is formed of a single material, and the thickness in the stacking direction of the plurality of deformation regions is smaller than the thickness in the stacking direction of the plurality of rigid regions.

With the microvalve according to claim 2, since the thickness of the deformed region in the stacking direction is made thinner than the thickness of the rigid region in the stacking direction, the deformed region can be elastically deformed when the pneumatic fluid flows in. Further, by forming the diaphragm layer from a single material, the bonding strength at the boundary between the elastic region and the rigid region can be improved as compared with the case where the elastic region and the rigid region are formed from different materials.

(item 3) the microvalve according to item 1 or 2, wherein, when the diaphragm layer is viewed from the stacking direction in plan, a part of the plurality of rigid regions and the plurality of deformed regions have a circular ring shape, and the plurality of deformed regions and the plurality of rigid regions are alternately formed concentrically.

In the microvalve according to claim 3, since the plurality of deformation regions and the plurality of rigid body regions are all annular and formed concentrically, the deformation in the plane is uniform with respect to the elastic deformation of the deformation region, and local concentration of stress can be suppressed. Thus, the damage of the separator layer can be suppressed.

(item 4) the microvalve according to any one of items 1 to 3, further comprising a cover layer. And the membrane layer is disposed between the cover layer and the base layer.

The microvalve according to item 4, wherein the microvalve has a laminated structure including a cover layer, a diaphragm layer and a base layer. This enables formation of an introduction path of the pneumatic fluid for deforming the diaphragm layer.

(item 5) the microvalve according to item 4, wherein the pneumatic fluid flows between the membrane layer and the cover layer, and the membrane layer is pressed against the base layer, thereby closing at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port.

The microvalve according to claim 5, wherein a cover layer is disposed on the upper portion of the membrane layer, whereby a pneumatic fluid can be supplied between the membrane layer and the cover layer to deform the membrane layer. This can bring the diaphragm layer and the base layer into close contact with each other to shut off the fluid.

(item 6) the microvalve according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the membrane layer is formed using silicon, glass, or PEEK (Poly Ether Ketone) resin.

With the microvalve according to item 6, desired flexibility and strength can be achieved by forming the diaphragm layer with silicon, glass or PEEK resin.

(item 7) Another embodiment of the microvalve relates to a microvalve having a laminated structure. The micro valve includes: a base layer having an inlet for introducing gas into the micro valve and an outlet for allowing gas introduced from the inlet to flow out; and a diaphragm layer which is disposed so as to face the base layer and switches between flowing and shutting of gas from the inlet to the outlet by elastic deformation. The diaphragm layer includes a deformation region that is elastically deformable in response to inflow of the pneumatic fluid into the microvalve, and a rigid region that limits a deformation amount of the deformation region. At least one of the inflow port and the outflow port is covered and closed by the elastically deformed deformation region.

The microvalve according to claim 7, which has a diaphragm layer including a deformation region and a rigid region that restricts a deformation amount of the deformation region, wherein the deformation region deforms in accordance with an inflow of the pneumatic fluid to close at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port. Since the diaphragm layer has the deformed region and the flexibility of the diaphragm layer is increased, even when foreign matter is mixed into the sealing surface, at least one of the inlet and the outlet can be reliably closed. Therefore, the micro valve can improve the sealing performance when foreign matters are mixed. Further, the amount of deformation of the deformation region is limited by the rigid body region, so that breakage due to excessive deformation of the deformation region can be suppressed.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as restrictive descriptions. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, rather than by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims.