Dispensing Device Sealing Integrity Diagnostics

Solution Overview

Problem

Dispensing devices face challenges in accurately dispensing small liquid amounts due to wear and deterioration of sealing components, leading to inconsistent pressure generation and increased consumable usage, with existing methods failing to effectively identify and correct for deteriorated components.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device configuration that includes a piston, pressure sensor, and inspection block to measure pressure changes when applying positive or negative pressure, allowing for identification of deteriorated components and adjustment of dispensing command values to maintain accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing components are used to maintain airtightness, then dispensing accuracy is improved, but the sealing components wear and deteriorate over time, leading to decreased dispensing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidservice life of sealing component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnostics by measuring pressure changes during tip attachment and detachment operations before actual dispensing. This allows detection of sealing component deterioration early, enabling maintenance before dispensing accuracy is significantly compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pressure changes during tip mounting operations and uses this feedback to assess the condition of sealing components. The measured pressure values are compared against reference values to determine whether maintenance is required, creating a closed-loop monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If pressure measurement is performed to detect sealing component deterioration, then maintenance timing is improved, but the complexity of the measurement system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of sealing component stateVSAvoidcomplexity of pressure measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing pressure sensor in the dispensing device is utilized for dual purposes: both for monitoring dispensing operations and for detecting sealing component deterioration. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated measurement equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational processes (tip attachment and detachment) to generate the pressure changes needed for diagnostics. The normal operational movements of the tip mounting part create the pressure variations that reveal sealing component status, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic actuators or mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the tip mounting part repeatedly attaches and detaches disposable tips, then dispensing operations are maintained, but the elastic member deteriorates and airtightness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing operation continuityVSAvoidairtightness of tip mounting part

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnostics by measuring pressure changes during tip attachment and detachment operations before actual dispensing. This allows detection of sealing component deterioration early, enabling maintenance before dispensing accuracy is significantly compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors pressure changes during tip mounting operations and uses this feedback to assess the condition of sealing components. The measured pressure values are compared against reference values to determine whether maintenance is required, creating a closed-loop monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables accurate identification of deteriorated components and correction of dispensing command values, ensuring high reproducibility and reducing consumable waste by determining the state of sealing components and elastic members within the dispensing device.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor that measures pressure in the syringe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20240345121A1Dispensing device and dispensing method

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

A dispensing device has: a syringe having a piston, a first drive device driving the piston, and a tip mounting part; a block having first and second orifices; a pump; and a second drive device for varying the relative positions of the syringe and the block. A processing device: drives the second driving device and fits together the tip mounting part and the first orifice such that the interior of the syringe is hermetically sealed, and then drives the pump and applies positive or negative pressure to the interior of the syringe; and subsequently drives the second driving device and fits together the tip mounting part and the second orifice such that the interior of the syringe is hermetically sealed, and then drives the pump and applies positive or negative pressure to the interior of the syringe; and identifies the site of deterioration in the dispensing device.