BACKGROUND

[0001] Portable fluid delivery devices allow users to, for example, print documents at geographically distinct locations. This fluid delivery device may provide the user with the ability to draft text documents, for example, and present signature documents for signing on sight. Different printed projects may be realized and potentially built upon later if a printed version were provided to a consumer on sight as well. Other fluid delivery devices may further implement a microfiuidic device within the portable fluid delivery device that can receive an analyte and analyze it for diagnosis or other analyzing functions. This device may also allow a user to engage in on-site analysis of an analyte for a customer.

BRIEF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principles described herein and are part of the specification. The illustrated examples are given merely for illustration, and do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0003] Fig. 1 is a bock diagram of a fluid delivery system according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0004] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a fluid flow structure according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0005] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a fluid delivery device according to an example of the principles described herein. [0006] Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the fluid delivery system of Fig. 1 according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0007] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the fluid delivery system shown in Fig. 4 assembled and turned right side up according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0008] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] As discussed above, portable fluid delivery devices may, in some examples, allow a user to take the portable fluid delivery device wherever he or she travels in order to have access to the portable fluid delivery device at those geographically distinct locations. The user may, in real-time, alter documents for specific consumers and provide new draft versions of the document for immediate consumption by the customers. The user of the portable fluid delivery device may also be able to work and print at any location and still maintain access to a printer using the portable printing device.

[0010] In order to make the portable fluid delivery device relatively more portable, the portable fluid delivery device itself as well as its components may be made smaller. Smaller devices and elements of the portable fluid delivery device may also decrease the weight of the portable fluid delivery device adding to the quality of experience by a user.

[0011] One component that may be reduced in size is the fluidic delivery cartridge. The fluidic delivery cartridge is any device that can receive a fluid and pass the fluid from a reservoir to a die. The die may, in an example, eject the fluid therefrom using, for example, a piezoelectric or thermal device. In some examples, the fluid is not ejected from the die but, instead, the die retains the fluid for analysis. Thus, the present specification contemplates a fluidic delivery cartridge that may include, for example, a printing fluid cartridge, a microfluidic device used to analyze an analyte, or any other type of device within the portable fluid delivery device that can move an amount of fluid from a reservoir to a die.

[0012] The present specification describes a fluid delivery system that includes a substrate and a lid coupled to a first side of the substrate wherein the substrate comprises a number of fluidic feed slots fluidicaily coupling the substrate to a die coupled to a second surface of the substrate and wherein the lid includes at least one main chamber to house at least one type of fluid, at least one overflow reservoir with the overflow reservoir fluidicaily coupled to the main chamber via an overflow channel, and wherein the overflow channel comprises a capillary pinch point to hold an amount of printing fluid within the main chamber.

[0013] The present specification also describes a fluid slow structure that includes a substrate coupled to a first side of a lid forming the fluid chamber and at least one fluidic slot defined in the substrate to fluidicaily couple the fluid chamber to at least one die coupled to a side of the substrate opposite the lid wherein the fluid chamber includes at least one main chamber to house at least one fluid and at least one overflow reservoir with the overflow reservoir fluidicaily coupled to the main chamber via an overflow channel wherein the overflow channel comprises a capillary pinch point to hold an amount of fluid within the main chamber, wherein the lid further comprises a labyrinth structure defined on a second side of the lid to vent the overflow chamber to atmosphere.

[0014] The present specification further describes a fluid delivery device that includes a substrate coupled at a first side to a lid, at least two main chambers to house at least two different colors of printing fluids defined within the lid and substrate, and at least two overflow reservoirs with each of the overflow reservoirs each fluidicaily coupled to one of the main chambers via an overflow channel wherein the overflow channel comprises a capillary pinch point to hold an amount of printing fluid within the main chamber wherein the lid further comprises a labyrinth structure defined on a second side of the lid to vent each of the at least two overflow chambers to atmosphere.

[0015] As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term "portable fluid delivery device" is meant to be understood broadly as any device that receives a fluidic delivery cartridge therein to either eject a fluid therefrom via the fluidic delivery cartridge or receive an analyte for analysis within the fluidic delivery cartridge.

[0016] As used in the present specification and in the appended claims the term "fluidic delivery cartridge" is meant to be understood as any selectively removable device that can be removed from the portable fluid delivery device and which receives a fluid for ejection therefrom or analysis therein. A fluidic delivery cartridge may also include an assembly or a fluidic cartridge.

[0017] Turning now to the figures, Fig. 1 is a bock diagram of a fluid delivery system (100) according to an example of the principles described herein. As described above, the fluid delivery system (100) may be used to receive an amount of fluid, maintain that amount of fluid in, for example, a main chamber (125), overflow channel (135), and/or overflow reservoir (130) for use at the die (105). in an example, the fluid maintained within the fluid delivery system (100) is a printing fluid used for ejection onto a surface of a print media via the die (105). in an example, the fluid maintained within the fluid delivery system (100) is an analyte to be analyzed within the die (105). In an example, the fluid maintained within the fluid delivery system (100) is an analyte to be analyzed and/or manipulated within the die (105) and ejected from the fluid delivery system (100) into, for example, and assay plate. In an example, the fluid maintained within the fluid delivery system (100) is a chemical used during the analysis of an analyte to be analyzed and/or manipulated within or offsite of the die (105) with the chemical being ejected from the fluid delivery system (100) into, for example, and assay plate. For ease of understanding, the examples described herein will be directed to a fluid delivery system (100) maintaining an amount of printing fluid for printing onto a surface of a print media. This description, however, is not meant to limit the use of the fluid delivery system (100) but instead it should be understood that the fluid delivery system (100) may be used as a microfluidic device that analyzes an analyte.

[0018] The fluid delivery system (100) includes a die (105), a substrate (1 10) into which the die (105) may be embedded, and a lid (1 15). In an example, an adhesive film may be used to couple the substrate (100) to the lid (1 15), In other examples, the substrate (1 10) and the lid (1 15) may be coupled together using a gasket. In an example, the lid (1 15) and the substrate (1 10) may be coupled together by a welding process,

[0019] The die (105) may be made of any layers of silicon and may itself include any number of microfluidic channels used to transport the fluid from the main chamber (125) of the lid (1 15) at least throughout the die (105). In some examples, the die may include a number of microfluidic devices such as microfluidic pumps, thermal resistors, piezoelectric devices, and heating devices, among others. In an example, the die (105) may include a fluid actuating plate having at least one fluid actuation orifice defined therein. The fluid actuation orifice may be fluidically coupled to an ejection chamber used to eject an amount of fluid from the die (105).

[0020] The die (105) may be overmolded with, for example, epoxy mold compound (EMC) and coupled to the substrate (1 10). In an example, the die (105) may be embedded into the substrate (1 10) such that a top surface of the die (105) is flush with a top surface of the substrate (1 10).

[0021] The substrate (1 10) may be made of any resilient material that can be formed as described herein, in an example, the substrate (1 10) is made of a plastic. The substrate (1 10) may include a number of fluid feed slots defined therein in order to fluidically couple, at least, the main chamber (125) of the lid (1 15) to the die (105). In an example, the substrate (1 10) may include an overflow channel (135) defined therein fluidically coupling the main chamber (125) to an overflow reservoir (130) also defined within the lid (1 15). The overflow channel (135) may, in an example, include a capillary pinch point (140). The capillary pinch point (140) may hold an amount of fluid within the main chamber (125) thereby providing the overflow reservoir (130) is initially empty during filling of the fluid delivery system (100). This may maximize the available volume within the overflow reservoirs (130) as pressure within the main chamber (125) and/or overflow reservoir (130) changes,

[0022] The lid (1 15) may also be made of a resilient material such as plastic. The lid (1 15) may be formed to include a main chamber (125) and an overflow reservoir (130). As mentioned above, the main chamber (125) may be fiuidicaliy coupled to the overflow reservoir (130) via an overflow channel (135) defined in the substrate (1 10). in an example, the substrate (1 10) and lid (1 15) may be formed using an injection molding process or any other type of plastic formation process. The substrate (1 10) and lid (1 15) may be formed so as to fit together and hold an amount of fluid within, at least, the main chamber (125), overflow channel (135), and overflow reservoir (130). in this example, a layer of adhesive may be applied between coupling surfaces of the lid (1 15) and substrate (1 10) to enable the seal, in an example, the lid (1 15) and substrate (1 10) may be coupled together using a welding process such as ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or solvent welding. In an example, the lid (1 15) and the substrate (1 10) may incorporate a gasket.

[0023] The substrate (1 10) may include at least one electrical trace defined on the surface of the substrate (1 10) opposite the surface where the lid (1 15) is coupled to the substrate (1 10). The electrical trace may allow for the die (105) to be electrically and communicatively coupled to a processor of a portable fluid delivery device. The processor of the portable fluid delivery device may receive instructions from the portable fluid delivery device or a computing device communicatively coupled to the portable fluid delivery device that describes how the die (105) is to operate. In the example where the fluid delivery system (100) is a printing fluid cartridge, the processor of the portable fluid delivery device may move the fluid delivery system (100) across the surface of a print media while directing certain actuators within the die (105) to eject an amount of printing fluid from the orifices defined in a fluid actuating plate of the die (105). Similar examples exist where the fluid delivery system (100) is used to receive an analyte and process the analyte and/or eject the analyte into an assay plate. In either of these examples, the electrical traces may include any number of electrical traces used to interface with the portable fluid delivery device. The electrical traces may be coupled to a number of vias that electrically couple the electrical traces with electrical traces formed on an opposite side of the substrate. Additionally, the electrical traces may be coupled to a number of electrical pads. The electrical pads may be formed on a surface of the substrate (1 10) such that the any number of electrical connectors of the portable fluid delivery device may be selectively coupled thereto.

[0024] The electrical traces may be formed using, for example, laser direct structuring (LDS) processes, in this example, the substrate (1 10) may be formed out of thermoplastic material that has been doped with a metallic inorganic compound. The laser ablation of certain areas of the surface of the substrate (1 10) allow for deposition of metals during a metallization process.

[0025] To prevent damage to the electrical traces, an adhesive film may be placed over the electrical traces. The adhesive film may prevent fluids or other contaminants from touching the electrical traces thereby preventing the damage to the fluid delivery system (100) and/or the portable fluid delivery device. The adhesive film may have a number of cut-out portions that prevent the die (105), for example, from being covered by the adhesive film such that the die (105) may eject an amount of fluid therefrom.

[0026] In an example, the overflow reservoir (130) is fluidicaliy coupled to atmosphere through a labyrinth structure formed on the surface of the lid (1 15) opposite the surface that is coupled to the substrate (1 10). The labyrinth may be any number of trenches etched into the surface of the lid (1 15) and may be fluidicaliy coupled to each of the overflow reservoirs (130) formed within the lid (1 15). In an example, water vapor or any other type of vapor may be lost through a number of ports formed between the overflow reservoir (130) and the labyrinth. A labyrinth coversheet may be place along a distance of the labyrinth so that the vapor may be retained in the labyrinth without leaking out of the fluid delivery system (100) and contaminating other parts of the fluid delivery system (100) and/or portable fluid delivery device.

[0027] Because of the design of the fluid delivery system (100), both the fluid delivery system (100) and the portable fluid delivery device may be relatively reduced in size in order to make the portable fluid delivery device more portable and user friendly. In an example, the thickness of the fluid delivery system (100) is between 8 and 12mm. In an example, the thickness of the fluid delivery system (100) is 10mm.

[0028] In an example, the fluid delivery system (100) may include any number of die (105) that provide any number of fluids to the die (105). Each of the fluids may be stored in a corresponding number of main chambers (125) with each of the main chambers (125) being fiuidicaliy coupled to its own overflow reservoir (130) via an overflow channel (135), In the example where the fluid delivery system (100) is a printing fluid cartridge, the number of die (105) may be two with each of the die (105P) providing 1 or 2 different colors and/or types of printing fluid to the dies. Where the number of colors is 2, 2 main chambers (125) are formed in the lid (1 15), Where the number of colors is 4, 4 main chambers (125) are formed in the lid (1 15). In each example, however, each distinct fluid used in the fluid delivery system (100) is separated by at least one wall of a main chamber (125).

[0029] Each of the overflow channels (135) may include a capillary pinch point (140). The capillary pinch point (140) accommodates for temperature changes within the fluid delivery system (100) and/or atmospheric pressure changes inside and/or outside of the fluid delivery system (100). For example, where air within any of the main chambers (125) expands, the fluid therein is allowed to break the capillary pinch point (140) and flow into the respective overflow chambers (130). In some examples, as the fluid is passed into the overflow chambers (130), this may relieve pressure exerted within the firing chambers of the die (105) thereby maintaining the positive pressure at each orifice of the fluid actuation plate. The use of the capillary pinch points (140), overflow channel (135), and overflow chambers (130) may prevent drooling of the fluid out of the orifices of the fluid actuating plate. Depending on the contact angle of the fluid to orifice material, the surface tension of the fluid, and the diameter of the orifices, the orifices may support a limited positive pressure without drooling. For an orifice diameter of -20 urn, the hydrophiiic nature of fluid actuating plate material (i.e., SU8), and fluid properties, the orifices may support 1/3 to 1 /2 of an inch of water column pressure. Further, due to the volume of the main chamber (125) (i.e. , -0,7 cc), the overflow reservoir (130) may be relatively small for a given temperature and altitude specification of, for example, 20- 30% of the main chamber volume. Consequently, any one dimension of the overflow reservoir (130) and its distance to the orifices may be limited such that the design of the fluid delivery system (100) stays within a 1/3 to 1 /2-inch head height specification. Changes to the material properties of the fluid actuating plate material and orifice diameter can increase the allowable head height specification.

[0030] During operation, any fluid within the overflow reservoir (130) may return to the main chamber (125) such that a meniscus may be once again formed at the capillary pinch point (140). In an example, the capillary pinch point (140) may further include a pocket by the capillary pinch point (140) and main chamber (125) interface that traps an amount of fluid therein to be used as a local reservoir for the capillary meniscus formed at the capillary pinch point (140).

[0031] The substrate (1 10) may also include a number of fluid fill ports that receive an initial amount of fluid into the assembled fluid delivery system (100). For each fluid fill port, a bail cork may be provided that plugs up the fluid fill ports once the fluid has been placed in each of the main chambers (125) within the fluid delivery system (100).

[0032] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a fluid flow structure (200) according to an example of the principles described herein. The fluid flow structure (200) may include a substrate (205). The substrate (205) may include at least one die (210) coupled to a first side of the substrate (205). in an example, the substrate (205) may include at least one electrical trace defined on a second surface of the substrate (205) opposite the first side and/or the second side of the substrate (205). The electrical trace may electrically couple the die (210) to at least one electrical interface pad formed on the second side of the substrate.

[0033] The fluid flow structure (200) may further include a lid (220) that is coupled to the second side of the substrate (205) forming at least one fluid chamber (225) between the lid (220) and the substrate (205). Examples of the fluid chamber (225) include a main chamber (230) as describe herein in connection with, at least, Fig. 1 .

[0034] The fluid flow structure (200) may also include an adhesive film applied over at least a portion of the first side of the substrate (205) to cover the at least one electrical trace. Adhesive materials may also be applied between the substrate (205) and the lid (220) to sea! an amount of fluid in each of the fluid chambers (225) formed within the fluid flow structure (200).

[0035] Similar to the fluid delivery system (Fig. 1 , 100) described in connection with Fig. 1 , the fluid flow structure (200) may include any number of die (210), electrical traces, and main chambers (230). Additionally, the fluid flow structure (200) may have, for each of the main chambers (230), an overflow reservoir (235) and an overflow channel (240) fluidically coupling the main chambers (230) to each of their respective overflow reservoirs (235). Each of the overflow channels (240) may include a capillary pinch point (245) as described herein that accommodates for variances in pressure and/or temperature within the fluid flow structure (200). The fluid flow structure (200) may also include a number of fluid ports with bail corks that prevent fluid within the fluid flow structure (200) from leaking out when the fluid flow structure (200) is filled with fluid via the fluid ports.

[0036] The fluid flow structure (200) may also include a labyrinth structure (25) similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1 . The labyrinth structure (250) may fluidically couple each of the overflow reservoirs (235) to atmosphere as described herein.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a fluid delivery device (300) according to an example of the principles described herein. The fluid delivery device (300) may include at least one die coupled to a substrate (310). The substrate (310) may include a number of printing fluid slots that provide a path for printing fluid to flow to the die (305). Additionally, the substrate (310) may include at least one electrical trace electrically coupling the die to at least one electrical interface pad defined on a surface of the substrate (310). The electrical interface pad may allow the fluid delivery device (300) to be selectively coupled to, for example, a portable fluid delivery device and to a processor of the portable fluid delivery device.

[0038] The fluid delivery device (300) may further include a lid (325) that couples to a surface of the substrate (310) opposite the surface where the die is coupled. The lid (325) may include at least one main chamber (330) to house a fluid for delivery to the die.

[0039] Similar to the fluid delivery system (Fig. 1 , 100) described in connection with Fig. 1 , the fluid delivery device (300) may further include an overflow reservoir (315) fiuidicaliy coupled to the main chamber (330) via an overflow channel (320). The overflow channel (320) may include a capillary pinch point (305) that forms a meniscus in the overflow channel (320) thereby restricting the amount of fluid that may overflow into the overflow reservoir (315) while still forming a way for fluid to move from the main chamber (330) to the overflow reservoir (315) if pressure in the main chamber (330) changes. The fluid delivery device (300) may further include the labyrinth (325) and fluid fill ports descried herein.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the fluid delivery system (100) of Fig. 1 according to an example of the principles described herein. The fluid delivery system (100) includes the die (105) embedded or otherwise coupled to the substrate (1 10) using, for example, an adhesive. The die (105) may further include an endcapsulant (455) to cap a number of wirebonds formed at the ends of the die (105).

[0041] The substrate (1 10) is coupled to the lid (1 15) using an adhesive (405) to make the main chambers (125) and overflow reservoirs (130) within the lid (1 15) maintain a fluid therein. Each of the main chambers (125) are fiuidicaliy coupled to their respective overflow reservoirs (130) via an overflow channel (135) formed into the substrate (1 10). Each of the overflow channels (135) include a capillary pinch point (410) that forms a meniscus as described herein in order to limit the amount of overflow fluid entering the overflow chambers (130). A labyrinth is formed on the side of the lid (1 15) opposite the side where the substrate (1 10) is coupled to the lid (1 15). The labyrinth is covered, at least partially, by a labyrinth coversheet (415). [0042] The substrate (1 10) may include at least one electrical trace (140) formed into the surface opposite where the lid (1 15) is coupled to the substrate (1 10). The electrical traces (140), in the example shown in Fig. 4, may be electrically coupled to a via (420) that electrically couples the electrical traces (140) on one side of the substrate (1 10) to other electrical traces formed on a lip (425) extending out of the substrate (1 10) and the substrate (1 10)/lid (1 15) coupling. The lip (425) may include a number of electrical pads that are electrically coupled to the electrical traces (140) formed on the lip (425) of the substrate (1 10).

[0043] The substrate (1 10) may include a number of fluid feed slots (430) formed between the lid (1 15) and the substrate (1 10) to allow fluid to flow from each of the main chambers (125), through the fluid feed slots (430) and to the die (105). The number of main chambers (125) formed into the lid (1 15) may also indicate the number of individual fluid feed slots (430) formed in the substrate (1 10). This is done so as to maintain a separation between the distinct fluids maintained in each of the main chambers (125). The substrate (1 10) further includes at least one fluid fill port (435) into which the fluid delivery system (100) is filled with fluid. At least one bail cork (440) is placed within the fluid fill port (435) in order to keep the fluid within the fluid delivery system (100) after being filled with the distinct fluids.

[0044] The substrate (1 10) may also have an adhesive film (120) that covers the electrical traces (140) formed on the substrate (1 10). The adhesive film (120) prevents contaminants from contacting, at least, the electrical traces (140) that may cause electrical damage to the fluid delivery system (100) and/or a portable fluid delivery device the fluid delivery system (100) is coupled to. The adhesive film (120) may have a number of holes (480) defined therein to allow the die (105) and fluid feed ports (435) to be exposed through the adhesive film (120).

[0045] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the fluid delivery system (100) shown in Fig. 4 assembled and turned right side up according to an example of the principles described herein. The fluid delivery system (100) shown in Fig. 5 is "right side up" because the die (105) will be facing down towards the print media and in this shown orientation with the portable fluid delivery device.

[0046] The fluid delivery system (100) as shown now reveals the labyrinths (445) that are fluidically coupled to each of the overflow reservoirs (130). The labyrinths (445) vent each of the overflow reservoirs (130) to atmosphere allowing, in an example, some amount of vapor to escape. The vapor escaping may be maintained within, at least, a portion of the labyrinths (445) via the labyrinth coversheet (415). In an example, the labyrinth coversheet (415) allows the vapor to evaporate off instead of accumulating and dripping within the portable fluid delivery device.

[0047] The fluid delivery system (100) as shown now also reveals the lip (425) onto which the electrical pads (450) are formed. The electrical pads (450) are electrically coupled to the electrical traces (140) also formed on the same side of the substrate (1 10). The lip (425) with its electrical pads (450) and electrical traces (140) may interface with the portable fluid delivery device in order to receive signals and/or power from the portable fluid delivery device.

[0048] The specification and figures describe an assembly that includes a die with the assembly including a substrate and a lid where the lid includes a number of main chambers defined therein to house a number of distinct fluids. The substrate includes a number of electrical traces formed on the surface of the substrate opposite the lid. The resulting assembly as described provides for a relatively cheaper assembly with relatively fewer components used to form the assembly. Additionally, the assembly is relatively smaller allowing for the use of smaller portable fluid delivery devices. The height of the assembly as oriented in Fig.5 is between 8 and 12mm enabling the smaller profile portable fluid delivery device or any fluid delivery device. The parts of the assembly described herein may also be relatively easier to manufacture due to the size of the parts used.

[0049] The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describe examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.