Analysis Instrument Sleep Control for Fast Resume and Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analysis apparatuses require lengthy preparatory actions to resume operation from a sleep state, leading to delayed analysis when immediate resumption is desired, as they need to complete actions like blank measurements and liquid filling before resuming analysis.

Innovation Solution

The analysis apparatus includes a preparatory action setting part that allows users to choose between immediate operation resumption with optional preparatory actions or energy-saving modes, enabling faster resumption by omitting preparatory actions when needed, and selecting parts to enter a sleep state for quick or energy-saving operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the analysis apparatus performs preparatory actions (blank measurement, buffer tank filling, sampling nozzle wetting) when returning from sleep state, then measurement reliability is ensured, but analysis resumption time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis resumption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preparatory actions in advance before the sleep state is fully entered. Specifically, the sampling nozzle is wetted with dilution liquid and the buffer tank is filled with buffer solution before power reduction, so that when the apparatus resumes from sleep state, these preparatory conditions are already met and immediate analysis can proceed without waiting for preparatory actions to complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the analysis apparatus enters sleep state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but operation resumption speed is decreased due to required preparatory actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperation resumption speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preparatory actions in advance before the sleep state is fully entered. Specifically, the sampling nozzle is wetted with dilution liquid and the buffer tank is filled with buffer solution before power reduction, so that when the apparatus resumes from sleep state, these preparatory conditions are already met and immediate analysis can proceed without waiting for preparatory actions to complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the degree of preparatory actions based on the anticipated sleep duration. For short sleep periods, minimal preparatory actions are performed to enable quick resumption, while for longer sleep periods, more complete preparatory actions are executed to ensure measurement reliability. The control part determines the appropriate level of preparation based on the expected duration of the sleep state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If complete preparatory actions are performed before sleep state, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption during preparation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption during preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preparatory actions in advance before the sleep state is fully entered. Specifically, the sampling nozzle is wetted with dilution liquid and the buffer tank is filled with buffer solution before power reduction, so that when the apparatus resumes from sleep state, these preparatory conditions are already met and immediate analysis can proceed without waiting for preparatory actions to complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the degree of preparatory actions based on the anticipated sleep duration. For short sleep periods, minimal preparatory actions are performed to enable quick resumption, while for longer sleep periods, more complete preparatory actions are executed to ensure measurement reliability. The control part determines the appropriate level of preparation based on the expected duration of the sleep state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3428651B1Analysis apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 HORIBA LTD
  • EP3428651B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3428651B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3428651B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an analysis apparatus having a control part 200 having a preparatory action setting part 210 for determination of whether the first and second controls are performed or the third and fourth controls are performed. The first control sets a sleep-planned part (I) to a sleep state at a time point t1 when the state of non-use of the analysis apparatus has lasted for a predetermined time length T1, and causes, after the time point t1, performance of a preparatory action by a predetermined part (I), the second control resumes the operation of the analysis apparatus when the control part receives a command signal to resume the operation after the first control, the third control places a sleep-planned part (II) in a sleep state at a time point t10 when the state of non-use has lasted for a time length T10, and the fourth control causes, when a command signal to resume the operation is received after the third control, a preparatory action of a predetermined part (II) to resume operation.