Electrochemical Sensor Coupling Detection for Ion Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electrochemical sensors, erroneous operations by users can lead to unintended actions, such as performing measurements with incorrect calibration or calibration without the correct solution, resulting in inaccurate measurement values.

Innovation Solution

The electrochemical sensor is designed with a configuration where the calibration operation is restricted when the sensor is not coupled to a calibration member, and the measurement operation is restricted when coupled, using switches and holders to prevent incorrect operations by ensuring the sensor head is properly contacted with either the calibration agent or the liquid to be measured.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both calibration switch and measurement switch are provided in the electrochemical sensor, then the sensor can perform both calibration operation and measurement operation, but erroneous operation by user may cause unintended operations such as measurement with incorrect calibration or calibration without correct solution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation modesVSAvoidoperation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling detection unit is introduced as an intermediary to detect whether the sensor head is properly coupled with the calibration solution container or measurement container. This intermediary component mediates between the user's switch operations and the actual execution of calibration or measurement operations, ensuring that the correct operation is performed only when the appropriate container is properly coupled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the coupling detection unit to continuously monitor the coupling state and provide this information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically enables or disables the calibration and measurement switches, preventing erroneous operations without requiring active user attention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the measurement switch is made operable, then measurement operation can be performed, but measurement operation may be performed in state where sensor head is brought into contact with calibration solution leading to inaccurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch operabilityVSAvoidconcentration ratio accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling detection unit acts as an intermediary that automatically determines whether the sensor head is coupled with a calibration solution container or a measurement container. Based on this detection, the control unit automatically enables or disables the measurement switch, preventing measurement operations when the sensor is in contact with calibration solution while maintaining ease of operation when properly coupled with a measurement container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the calibration switch is made operable, then calibration operation can be performed, but calibration operation may be performed in state where sensor head is brought into contact with liquid to be measured leading to inaccurate calibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch operabilityVSAvoidcharacteristic parameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling detection unit serves as an intermediary that detects whether the sensor head is coupled with a calibration solution container or a measurement container. This detection information is used by the control unit to automatically enable or disable the calibration switch, ensuring that calibration operations can only be performed when the sensor is properly coupled with a calibration solution container, thereby maintaining calibration accuracy while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively prevents unintended operations, ensuring accurate calibration and measurement by restricting the calibration operation when the sensor is not in contact with the calibration agent and the measurement operation when not in contact with the liquid to be measured, thereby obtaining accurate measurement values.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor head (30) and a body (10)... the sensor head (30) includes a sodium ion selective electrode (41) and a potassium ion selective electrode (42)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon selective electrode potential difference: Nernst Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240183819A1Electrochemical sensor, and measuring device

Publication Date: 2024.06.06 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a technology that can suppress an operation unintended by a user caused by an erroneous operation by the user. An electrochemical sensor according to one aspect of the present invention is for measuring a concentration ratio between sodium ions and potassium ions in a liquid to be measured that includes: a sensor head; and a calculation unit that allows performing a calibration operation and a measurement operation. The calibration operation calculates a characteristic parameter of the sensor head based on sensing data of the sensor head in a state where the sensor head is brought into contact with a calibration agent. The measurement operation calculates the concentration ratio based on the characteristic parameter of the sensor head and the sensing data of the sensor head in a state where the sensor head is brought into contact with the liquid to be measured.