Automatic Analyzer Waste Flow Monitoring to Prevent Tank Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in preventing waste liquid overflow from the waste liquid tank when a liquid quantity sensor cannot be mounted, particularly in cases where the tank is designated for waste liquids containing organic solvents.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer includes a waste liquid tank with a flow passage and a measurement section that measures waste liquid quantity, using sensors like optical or ultrasonic sensors to detect liquid levels without contact, and a warning system to prevent overflow by monitoring the measured quantity and prompting replacement of the tank before it reaches capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid quantity sensor is mounted on the waste liquid tank to prevent overflow, then the overflow prevention capability is improved, but the adaptability to different tank types deteriorates because the sensor cannot be mounted on tanks designated for organic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow passage as an intermediary component between the waste liquid tank and the measurement section. The flow passage collects waste liquid from the tank and transports it to the measurement section where the liquid quantity sensor is mounted, enabling indirect measurement without modifying the tank itself. This resolves the contradiction by allowing sensor installation while maintaining compatibility with various tank types including those for organic solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the waste liquid tank (for storage), the flow passage (for transport), and the measurement section (for measurement). This segmentation allows the sensor to be mounted on the measurement section rather than directly on the tank, thereby maintaining tank versatility while achieving reliable measurement and overflow prevention.
2Measurement precision
If a liquid quantity sensor is mounted on the waste liquid tank to measure quantity, then the measurement capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted tank placement and replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage acts as a mediator that decouples the measurement function from the tank structure. The liquid quantity sensor measures waste liquid in the flow passage rather than directly in the tank, enabling accurate measurement while allowing the tank to be freely placed, removed, and replaced without affecting the measurement system or requiring complex operations.
3Measurement precision
If contact-based liquid quantity sensors are used to measure waste liquid, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when measuring organic solvents due to sensor contamination and material compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage serves as a protective intermediary between the waste liquid (including organic solvents) and the liquid quantity sensor. The sensor measures liquid in the flow passage without direct contact with the tank contents, preventing contamination and material compatibility issues while maintaining measurement accuracy. The flow passage can be made from materials compatible with organic solvents, protecting the sensitive sensor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively prevents waste liquid overflow even without a liquid quantity sensor on the tank, allowing for continuous operation and flexible tank placement, and enables switching of discharge destinations based on measured quantities.
Implementation Method 1
using sensors like optical or ultrasonic sensors to detect liquid levels without contact
Implementation Method 2
using sensors like optical or ultrasonic sensors to detect liquid levels without contact
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an automatic analyzer which can prevent an overflow of a waste liquid from a waste liquid tank even if the waste liquid tank is not provided with a liquid quantity sensor. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a sample includes a waste liquid tank for storing a waste liquid generated from an analysis of the sample, a flow passage connected to the waste liquid tank, to which the waste liquid flows, a measurement section disposed in the flow passage in order to measure quantity of the waste liquid flowing to the waste liquid tank; and a warning section for outputting a warning when the quantity of the waste liquid measured by the measurement section reaches a predetermined value.