Enplas Corporation

Genichi Kimizuka

Yasuhiro Watanabe

Kenichi Murakami

After a second plate memberis inserted into a space which is surrounded by side wallsthroughof a first plate member, the bonded surfaceof the second plate memberis bonded and fixed to the bonded surfaceof the first plate memberby an adhesive to form a sample handling unit. At this time, the second plate memberis positioned by protrusionsandof the first plate memberin X and Y directions, and positioned and fixed by holding membersthroughand inside holding membersandin Z directions (normal directions on an external surface). A microfluidic deviceincludes microchipsthroughof plural kinds having passagesthroughfor transporting a sample, and a base memberon which the microchipsthroughare arranged. After the base memberand the microchipsthroughare separately formed, microchipsthroughof kinds necessary for intended purpose, such as analysis of the sample, are selected to be suitably combined to be positioned and fixed on the base memberto form the microfluidic device. By causing the positioning holesof the microchipsthroughto engage the positioning protrusionsof the base member, the microchipsthroughare positioned with respect to the base member

Microfluidic device having microchips

Sample handling unit applicable to microchip, and microfluidic device having microchips

A gear made of a resin includes a substantially cylindrical rim having a plurality of teeth formed around an outer periphery thereof, a boss formed about a rotational center of the rim, and a web connecting the boss and the rim to each other. At least one groove is defined along outer surface of each tooth to divide the tooth in a widthwise direction of the tooth. As a result, a portion of the gear, in which the grooves are defined, is deformed in a reduced amount, leading to a reduced amount of deformation such as a warpage or sink in the entire gear, thereby providing an enhancement in tooth flank accuracy. Since the grooves are defined along the outer surfaces of the teeth, a lubricant such as grease can be supplied effectively to tooth flanks by previously applying the lubricant in the grooves.

Gear made of resin, and mold structure

Each of a sliding bearing and a rotating and sliding member according to the present invention includes an irregularity portion on its inner peripheral surface. The irregularity portion comprises projections adapted to come into contact with a rotary shaft, and recesses which are provided, so that they cannot be brought into contact with the rotary shaft to define gaps or spaces between the bearing itself and the rotary shaft. The irregularity portion is integrally formed-on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding bearing to extend in a direction of rotation of the sliding bearing, in such a manner that the recess is disposed at a central portion of the inner peripheral surface, and the projections are disposed on opposite sides of the recess. By forming the sliding bearing and the rotating and sliding member in the above manner, disadvantages such as the accumulation of a heat and the wearing of the bearing due to an increase in rotational speed can be suppressed to maintain a high rotational accuracy over a long period and to prolong the life of a product.

Sliding bearing and rotating sliding member

A highly durable, inexpensive valve seat and valve unit are achieved by using a synthetic resin for forming the valve seat. The synthetic resin valve seat is equipped with a first valve aperture and a second valve aperture for inflow, and a third valve aperture for outflow. At least either the first valve aperture or the second valve aperture is set in communication with the third valve aperture through a communication hole of a movable valve seat, or the first and second valve apertures are closed by the movable valve seat. A protuberance that slidably contacts the movable valve seat is formed on a surface of the synthetic resin valve seat that opposes the movable valve seat and on the opening edges of at least the first valve aperture and the second valve aperture such that the protuberance surrounds the first valve aperture and the second valve aperture.

Valve unit and synthetic resin valve seat

According to the invention, when a plurality of radial ribs are formed integrally with the web of a spur gear for the sake of rigidity thereof, the same rigidity as that of heretofore known gears can be assured while increasing the size accuracy of gear in comparison with the usual gears by locating the ribs with outer ends thereof opposed to the base of corresponding teeth.

Growing community of inventors

Kawaguchi, Japan

Genichi Kimizuka