JP2008196856A - Electrode tip and electrode tip socket structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode tip and an electrode tip socket structure capable of preventing damages and electrode separation of electrode tips, when the electrode tips are inserted. <P>SOLUTION: The electrode tip 10 includes a substrate 11 and an electrode 14 formed in the substrate; and a part of the electrode tip 10 can be inserted into a socket, and a corner part 11c of a surface 11, on a side opposite to the surface having the electrode, is removed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode chip having an electrode formed on a substrate and an electrode chip / socket structure.

  The following Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid flow chip having an electrode on a substrate to which a voltage is applied in order to apply an electric field to a solution in a flow path to cause the solution to flow. As a method of connecting a liquid flow chip having an electrode on such a plane to an external power source or a detection device, a method of directly wiring to the electrode surface by soldering / conductive adhesive or the like, or a method of connecting a contact pin to the electrode surface. There is a known method for achieving electrical conduction by contact.

  In addition, a method using a socket that can be freely inserted and removed so that the liquid flow chip can be exchanged is also known. For example, as in the case of mounting a memory for a personal computer or an expansion board, an edge connector in which a large number of electrodes are arranged on one side of the substrate of the liquid flow chip is inserted into the edge socket of the insertion port and connected.

Moreover, as a method of ensuring conduction with the planar electrode, as shown in Patent Document 2 below, the surface current collecting electrode formed of a plurality of thin grid electrodes and the reverse polarity with respect to the surface current collecting electrode on the back surface side. As shown in Patent Document 3 below, the terminal of the conductive pattern of the circuit element exposed to the inside of the through hole and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole are used. What formed the conductor layer for electrode terminals by the stoving method etc. is well-known.
JP 2006-78475 A JP 2005-294679 A JP-A-11-26256

  However, when a contact pin is used, an electrode of an electrode tip such as a liquid flow tip may be peeled off due to the tip pressure of the contact pin. In addition, when using soldering or a conductive adhesive, it is necessary to repeat each operation every time the electrode chip is replaced. Also, when inserting an electrode tip into a general-purpose socket, depending on the shape of the electrode tip, the electrode tip electrode may peel off or the electrode tip itself may be damaged due to interference with the spring terminal in the socket. was there.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode tip and an electrode tip / socket structure that can prevent the electrode tip from being damaged or peeled off when the electrode tip is inserted.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electrode chip according to the present invention comprises a substrate and an electrode formed on the substrate, and is an electrode chip that can be inserted at least partially into a socket, the surface having the electrode The corner part of the surface on the opposite side is removed.

  According to this electrode chip, when the electrode chip is inserted into the socket, the corner portion on the surface opposite to the surface on which the electrode is provided is removed, so that the terminal portion on the socket side can be pushed in and inserted. For this reason, friction between the terminal portion on the socket side and the electrode surface of the electrode tip can be reduced, and interference between the electrode tip itself and the socket side can be suppressed, so that damage to the electrode tip and electrode peeling can be prevented.

  In the electrode tip, the corner is preferably removed in a planar shape or a curved shape.

  Moreover, even when the electrode is formed in a film shape, it is possible to effectively prevent the film-shaped electrode from being peeled off. Moreover, it is preferable that the said electrode is provided in the edge part vicinity of the said board | substrate.

  In addition, a flow path is formed in the substrate, and it is possible to cause the liquid to flow through the electrode tip by applying a voltage to the electrode to flow the liquid in the flow path. Can be a liquid flow chip.

  An electrode chip / socket structure according to the present invention includes a substrate and an electrode formed on the substrate, wherein an electrode chip from which a corner of a surface opposite to a plane on which the electrode is provided is removed, and at least the electrode chip It is characterized in that it is combined with a socket having a terminal part into which a part of the electrode can be contacted.

  According to this electrode chip / socket structure, when the electrode chip is inserted into the socket, the corner of the surface of the electrode chip opposite to the surface where the electrode is located is removed, so the electrode chip pushes in the terminal part of the socket. Can be inserted. For this reason, friction between the terminal portion of the socket and the electrode surface of the electrode tip can be reduced, and interference between the electrode tip itself and the socket side can be suppressed, so that damage to the electrode tip and electrode peeling can be prevented.

  In the electrode tip / socket structure, when the electrode tip is inserted into the socket, the terminal portion of the socket preferably contacts the electrode of the electrode tip by applying a pressing force. Thereby, when the electrode tip is inserted into the socket, the electrode tip electrode is in contact with the terminal portion while receiving an urging force from the terminal portion of the socket, while preventing damage to the electrode tip and electrode peeling as described above. The electrode and the terminal portion can be reliably electrically connected.

  According to the electrode tip and electrode tip / socket structure of the present invention, when the electrode tip is inserted into the socket, friction between the terminal portion of the socket and the electrode surface of the electrode tip can be reduced, and the electrode tip itself and the socket side can be reduced. Since interference can be suppressed, damage to the electrode tip and electrode peeling can be prevented.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a liquid flow chip according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the liquid flow chip of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the flow path of the liquid flow chip of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid flow chip 10 includes a pair of thin film electrodes 14 and 14 made of, for example, Ti, and a plurality of flow path forming units 20 on a flat rectangular glass substrate 11. And a resin layer 15 for flowing the sample solution in the flow path on the chip surface, and the electrode chip / socket structure is configured in combination with the socket 30 of the external device shown in FIG. .

  As the substrate 11, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, or the like can be used. However, any material other than glass can be used as long as it has a necessary strength as a support. For example, a resin material (polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polysulfone, polyester, etc.). Etc.) or a composite material of glass fiber and resin. The substrate 11 can be, for example, 20 mm in length, 10 mm in width, and 1 mm in thickness. However, this dimension is an example, and other dimensions can be used.

  The electrodes 14, 14 have rectangular electrode portions 14 a, 14 a having a relatively large area near the one end portion 11 b of the substrate 11. When the liquid flow chip 10 is inserted into a socket of an external device, each electrode portion 14a is in contact with the terminal on the socket side and is electrically connected, and a voltage is applied between the electrode portions 14a and 14a.

  Each electrode 14 can be formed on the substrate 1 by sputtering, but may also be formed by physical vapor deposition such as chemical vapor deposition or ion plating, or a two-layer structure of Ti and Pt (or Au or Ag). Alternatively, it may be made of a translucent electrode such as ITO.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the corner portion 11c of the back surface 11a opposite to the surface on which the electrodes 14 and 14 of the substrate 11 are formed is removed in a planar shape and chamfered as shown by a broken line in the figure. Thus, the flat portion 12 is formed. The flat portion 12 is located on the one end 11b side of the substrate 11, and the electrode portions 14a and 14a are located on the upper portion of the flat portion 12 in FIG. The chamfering of the glass substrate 11 can be performed by polishing, but may be performed by other methods.

  The resin layer 15 is made of, for example, a photosensitive resin, and is formed on the substrate 11 with a predetermined thickness by a predetermined two-dimensional pattern. A flow path forming unit 20 is provided in a non-formed portion of the resin layer 15. It has been. As the photosensitive resin, either a type that is cured by light irradiation (negative type) or a type that is solubilized by light irradiation (positive type) can be used. For example, by partially irradiating the photosensitive resin on the substrate 11 with light using a negative mold, curing the light irradiation region, and removing the resin in the non-light irradiation region, the resin layer 15 is formed into a two-dimensional pattern. Can be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each flow path forming unit 20 of the liquid flow chip 10 includes a substantially triangular sample input unit 21 that inputs a sample solution into a concave part of a two-dimensional pattern in which the resin layer 15 is not formed. And a substantially triangular waste liquid portion 22 for collecting the sample solution, and a flow path 23 extending thinly so as to communicate the sample charging portion 21 and the waste liquid portion 22.

  Electrodes 14, 14 extend from the electrode portions 14 a, 14 a to the sample input portion 21 and the waste liquid portion 22 of each flow path forming portion 20, and constitute the bottom surfaces of the sample input portion 21 and the waste liquid portion 22, respectively. By applying a DC voltage between the electrode parts 14a and 14a with the electrode 14 of the electrode 21 as the anode and the electrode 14 of the waste liquid part 22 as the cathode, an electroosmotic flow from the sample input part 21 toward the waste liquid part 22 is generated in the sample solution. . As a result, the sample solution flows from the sample input part 21 to the flow path 23 and is recovered to the waste liquid part 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the detection unit 24 is provided at substantially the center in the extending direction of the flow path 23, and the width of the flow path 23 is gradually narrowed in the detection unit 24. The detection part 24 can arrange | position the silica bead 25 which is a porous particle as a detection medium. That is, since the particle size of the silica beads 25 is smaller than the width of the flow path 23 and larger than the narrowest width portion 24a of the detection unit 24, the silica beads 25 can flow through the flow path 23. It stops at the narrowest width portion 24 a of the detection unit 24 and is fixed to the detection unit 24.

The silica bead 25 is a porous spherical bead mainly composed of SiO ₂ (silica) and having numerous pores on the surface, and adsorbs and binds other substances on the surface, or with other substances on the surface. Has reactivity to react. In addition to silica beads, porous particles such as activated carbon, alumina, and plastic fine particles may be used.

  When using the liquid flow chip 10, for example, the silica beads 25 are introduced into the sample introduction unit 21 together with the solution, and flowed toward the waste liquid unit 22 through the flow path 23, and the silica beads 25 are detected by the detection unit 24 as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is fixed at the narrowest width portion 24a.

  Next, a solution containing a DNA fragment, which is a detection target substance fluorescently labeled with a fluorescent dye, is charged into the sample loading unit 21, and a voltage is applied to the electrode units 14 a, 14 a to pass the solution from the sample loading unit 21 to the flow path 23. When the fluid flows toward the waste liquid portion 22 through the DNA fragment, the DNA fragment rides on this solution flow, moves through the flow path 23, and is adsorbed on the silica beads 25 of the detection portion 24. The presence / absence, concentration, and size of the DNA fragment in the solution can be measured by measuring the fluorescence intensity in the detection unit 24 using an external measurement device.

  Note that, before the silica beads 25 are introduced into the sample loading unit 21, a probe that reacts with or specifically binds to the detection target substance may be supported on the silica beads 25 in advance.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the configuration of the socket of an external measuring device or the like into which the liquid flow chip 10 is inserted when the liquid flow chip 10 as described above is used and the insertion operation thereof. explain.

  4 is a side view (a) showing a socket of an external device into which the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be inserted, a side view (b) showing a state when the liquid flow chip 10 is inserted into the socket, and It is a side view (c) which shows the state which inserted the liquid flow chip | tip 10 in the socket.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the socket 30 has the same structure as a general-purpose personal computer memory edge connector having a plurality of terminal portions so that the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be inserted. The recess 31 is provided with a recess 31 having a substantially U-shaped side cross-section, and a spring terminal 32 that is electrically connected to the electrode portion 14 a of the liquid flow chip 10. A part of the liquid flow chip 10 on the one end 11 b side is accommodated in the recess 31.

  A plurality of spring terminals 32 of the socket 30 are arranged side by side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4A, are made of metal leaf springs, protrude from the upper surface of the recess 31, and can be compressed. When the liquid flow chip 10 is inserted into the socket 30, the spring terminal 32 of the socket 30 is pressed into contact with the electrode portion 14 a of the liquid flow chip 10 and compressed, and is pressed against the electrode portion 14 a by an urging force due to its elastic recovery. It comes to be in electrical contact.

  When inserting the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 into the socket 30 of FIG. 4 (a), as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the liquid flow chip 10 is placed on the socket 30 with one end 11b at the top. The whole is slanted and inserted into the recess 31 from obliquely upward to obliquely downward direction s. At the time of this insertion, the corner portion 11c of FIG. 2 of the liquid flow chip 10 is removed to form the flat portion 12, and the flat portion 12 contacts the lower surface 33 of the recess 31, so that the liquid flow tip 10 has a margin. So that the electrode portion 14 a hardly interferes with the spring terminal 32 of the socket 30.

  Next, the liquid flow chip 10 inserted obliquely into the recess 31 as described above is rotated with the plane portion 12 in contact with the lower surface 33 of the recess 31 in the rotation direction t of FIG. While moving, it is pushed slightly into the recess 31 in the horizontal direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the liquid flow chip 10 pushes the spring terminal 32 in the substantially vertical direction against the urging force caused by the elastic recovery of the spring terminal 32, and horizontally in a predetermined position in the recess 31. Come to be located.

  As described above, according to the liquid flow chip (electrode chip) and the electrode chip / socket structure of the present embodiment, the surface of the liquid flow chip 10 inserted into the socket 30 on which the electrodes 14 and 14 are patterned, Since the corner portion 11c on the opposite side surface is removed to form the flat surface portion 12, when the liquid flow chip 10 is inserted into the socket 30, the liquid flow chip 10 can be inserted while pushing the spring terminal 32 in the socket 30. . For this reason, friction between the spring terminal 32 and the surface of the electrode portion 14a can be reduced and interference between the liquid flow tip 10 side and the socket 30 side can be suppressed. 11 can be reliably prevented from peeling.

  Further, when the liquid flow chip 10 is accommodated in the recess 31 of the socket 30 as shown in FIG. 4C, the spring terminal 32 of the socket 30 is pressed against and contacts the electrode portion 14a of the liquid flow chip 10 with an urging force. The electrode part 14a and the spring terminal 32 can be reliably electrically connected. For this reason, a voltage can be reliably applied from the external device to the electrode portions 14a and 14a of the liquid flow chip 10, and the liquid flow chip 10 can be operated stably and reliably.

  Next, a modification of the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modification of the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. The liquid flow chip 10 ′ in FIG. 5 has substantially the same configuration as that in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the corners 11c (shown by broken lines in FIG. 5) of the back surface 11a of the substrate 11 are removed in a curved shape as shown by the broken lines in the figure. The curved surface portion 13 is rounded in a convex shape with respect to the portion 11c. The curved surface portion 13 can be formed by polishing, but may be performed by other methods.

  According to the liquid flow chip 10 ′ of FIG. 5, it can be inserted into the socket 30 as in FIGS. 4A to 4C, and the corner 11c on the side surface opposite to the surface where the electrodes 14 and 14 are patterned is removed. Therefore, when the liquid flow chip 10 ′ is inserted into the socket 30, the liquid flow chip 10 ′ can be inserted while pushing the spring terminal 32 in the socket 30. For this reason, friction between the spring terminal 32 and the surface of the electrode portion 14a can be reduced and interference between the liquid flow tip 10 ′ side and the socket 30 side can be suppressed, so that damage to the liquid flow tip 10 ′ and the electrode portion 14a can be prevented. Can be reliably prevented from peeling off from the substrate 11.

  As described above, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the electrode chip of the present invention is not limited to the liquid flow chip as shown in FIG. 1, and the type thereof is not particularly limited as long as it has an electrode on the substrate and is used by being inserted into a socket. It can be applied to electrode chips for various purposes.

  The socket 30 may be a general purpose or special purpose, the spring terminal 32 may be a wire spring or a coil spring, and the terminal portion of the socket is limited to a spring structure. Alternatively, other structures may be used.

It is a top view which shows the liquid flow chip | tip by this Embodiment. It is the sectional side view which cut | disconnected the liquid flow chip | tip of FIG. 1 in the II-II line direction. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows a part of flow path of the liquid flow chip | tip of FIG. The side view (a) which shows the socket of the external device which can insert the liquid flow chip | tip 10 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, the side view (b) which shows the state when inserting the liquid flow chip 10 in a socket, and the liquid flow chip 10 It is a side view (c) which shows the state which inserted in the socket. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modification of the liquid flow chip 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10 'liquid flow tip (electrode tip)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Board | substrate 11a Back surface 11b One end part 11c Corner | angular part 12 Plane part 13 Curved surface part 14 Electrode 14a Electrode part 30 Socket 31 Recessed part 32 Spring terminal (terminal part)

Claims (8)

An electrode chip comprising a substrate and an electrode formed on the substrate, wherein at least a part of the electrode chip can be inserted into a socket,
A corner of the surface opposite to the surface on which the electrode is provided is removed.   The electrode tip according to claim 1, wherein the corner is removed in a planar shape.   The electrode tip according to claim 1, wherein the corner is removed in a curved shape.   The electrode tip according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is formed in a film shape.   The electrode chip according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is provided in the vicinity of an end of the substrate.   The electrode chip according to claim 1, wherein a flow path is formed in the substrate, and a liquid is flowed in the flow path by applying a voltage to the electrode. An electrode chip comprising a substrate and an electrode formed on the substrate, wherein the corner of the surface opposite to the surface on which the electrode is present is removed;
An electrode chip / socket structure comprising a combination of a socket having a terminal portion into which at least a part of the electrode chip is inserted and in contact with the electrode.   The electrode tip / socket structure according to claim 7, wherein when the electrode tip is inserted into the socket, the terminal portion of the socket contacts the electrode of the electrode tip by applying a pressing force.

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