Miniaturized Hose Pinch Valve

Hose pinch valves are closed by the compression of a flexible section of the valve or by a segment of a tube shifting a compression body against the tube or impinging the compression section with an actuator. In both cases the tube has to be placed manually between compression body and abutment, which is a rather time-consuming process. Additionally, most of the pinch valves are quite large. That prevents their usage in miniaturized and in highly integrated systems. Thus, only switchable pinch valves are worth to be considered for the dosing of liquid substances that contain substances like cells or solids. At the Technical University Berlin a new hose pinching valve for existing dosage systems as a cost-efficient single use device. The newly developed valve enables a fast and precise dosing of smallest amounts of liquids and a dynamic control of the whole process. As the valve consists of different single modules, it allows a cost-efficient manufacturing via injection molding, thus enabling mass production and automated assembling. Additionally, the valve easily fits various individual applications. It can also be integrated into already existing installations.

Technical data prototype Operating frequency: 0 - 500 Hz (tested) Inner tube diameter: 0.2 - 1 mm (tested), further versions possible Operating pressure: 0 - 5 bar (tested) Frame size: Prototype: 4 mm x 8 mm x 20 mm Minimum dispensing volumes: << 100 nl / 100 ml (tested) Maximum dispensing volumes: 0.1 ml (with an inner tube diameter of 0.3 mm and a pressure of 5 bar) Minimum force of actuator: 0.5 N Fatigue strength tested up to 107 cycles with 100 Hz Single use valve