Bendable Sensor Arm for In-Situ Excrement Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for on-site analysis of excrement face issues with sensor arm disturbances during extension and retraction, leading to impaired functionality and reduced measuring accuracy, necessitating a solution for reliable and precise analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device with a bendable, elastically bendable sensor arm that uses spacing means to prevent frictional contact with the holder, allowing for smooth longitudinal displacement and precise positioning, combined with a winding roller mechanism for efficient storage and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor arm is made elastically bendable and mounted on a holder, then the device achieves compact design and reliable operation, but frictional contact between the sensor arm and holder causes disturbances during extension and retraction
Solution Approach 1:
A guiding structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor arm and holder. This guiding structure receives the sensor arm in a longitudinally displaceable manner and prevents direct frictional contact with the holder, thereby eliminating disturbances during extension and retraction while maintaining compact design
2Measurement precision
If the sensor arm directly contacts the holder during displacement, then the structure is simpler, but friction causes impaired functionality and reduced measuring accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding structure serves as a mediator that enables precise longitudinal displacement of the sensor arm without direct contact to the holder. This ensures measurement precision is maintained while the added complexity is minimal and justified by the functional improvement
3Productivity
If the sensor arm is frequently extended and retracted during continuous operation, then continuous monitoring is enabled, but disturbances occur during unrolling or rolling leading to functional impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding structure prevents frictional contact disturbances that occur during frequent extension and retraction operations. This enables continuous monitoring operations to proceed reliably without functional impairments, maintaining both productivity and reliability
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
The solution ensures reliable and accurate analysis by preventing sensor arm disturbances, improving measurement precision and reducing the driving force required for displacement, thus enhancing the overall operational reliability of the on-site analysis device.
Implementation Method 1
a bendable, preferably elastically bendable, sensor arm (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for on-site analysis of excrements by means of a sensor device with which an excrement sample can be detected at a measuring location and at least partially analyzed, the sensor device having a bendable sensor arm, in particular for a sample carrier, which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction by an actuator between an extended measuring position, bridging a distance between the holder and the measuring location for collecting the excrement sample, and a retracted mounting position, at least partially bent, on the holder.The invention further relates to a self-sealing cartridge for the provision of sample carriers for a device for on-site analysis of excrements, having a cartridge housing receiving the sample carriers which is formed by a first housing half and a second housing half, these two being displaceable in relation to one another between a closed position and a dispensing position.The invention further relates to a toilet device for analyzing excrements, comprising the collecting device according to the invention for collecting excrements and further comprising a toilet seat for a toilet device, a device for on-site analysis of the excrements collected in the toilet bowl being accommodated in the toilet seat.