Electrochemical Sensor Liquid Sampling Port Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical sensors face issues with suction forces generated by flowing sample liquids, which can lead to the sample liquid being sucked out of the reservoir, compromising contact with the sensor electrodes and affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a plate-like member with a sample liquid supply channel and a liquid reservoir, where the liquid sampling port is positioned upstream of the supply channel's downstream end, reducing suction forces and preventing liquid loss, while utilizing capillary action to store the sample liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the liquid reservoir is positioned at the downstream end to maximize capillary action, then the sample liquid can be effectively stored in the reservoir, but the suction force from continuous flow will suck out the stored sample liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by positioning the liquid sampling port upstream of the downstream end in the flow direction. This creates a spatial separation between the sampling location and the downstream flow, effectively using the flow direction as a dimensional parameter to resolve the contradiction between capillary storage and suction loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an air layer as an intermediary substance between the stored sample liquid and the continuously flowing sample liquid. This air layer acts as a barrier that prevents the suction force from directly acting on the stored liquid, thereby maintaining liquid quantity while allowing continuous flow.
2Volume of stationary object
If the liquid sampling port is positioned at the downstream end to maximize liquid storage, then capillary action can fill the reservoir effectively, but the contact amount of sample liquid to sensor electrode cannot be guaranteed due to suction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the flow direction as an additional spatial dimension to position the sampling port upstream, creating a distance L between the sampling port and downstream end. This dimensional approach allows the reservoir to maintain both adequate volume and stable liquid-electrode contact by preventing suction.
Solution Approach 2:
The air layer serves as an intermediary that decouples the liquid storage function from the flow dynamics. It allows the reservoir to maintain full volume while preventing the suction force from reducing the liquid amount available for electrode contact, thereby ensuring measurement precision.
3Productivity
If the sample liquid supply channel is extended to maximize sampling, then more sample liquid can be processed, but the suction force increases and may suck out the stored liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The air layer acts as a protective intermediary that allows the supply channel to be extended for improved sampling efficiency without causing liquid loss. The air layer absorbs the suction force generated by extended channel flow, preventing it from acting on the stored liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful suction force effect by introducing the air layer that isolates the stored liquid from the flow dynamics in the extended supply channel. This allows the channel to be extended for productivity without proportionally increasing liquid loss.
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 maintains a stable sample liquid contact with the electrodes, ensuring accurate detection even when the sample liquid continues to flow, by weakening the suction force and preventing liquid loss from the reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid reservoir, which is arranged on a second surface side of the plate-like member and into which part of the sample liquid flows... the sample liquid having passed through a downstream end of the plate-like member that includes the supply channel
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electrochemical sensor 10, including: a plate-like member 11 having a first surface and a second surface that are in a front-back relationship and a sample liquid supply channel 11a arranged on a first surface side; a liquid reservoir 15, which is arranged on a second surface side of the plate-like member 11 and into which part of the sample liquid flows, the sample liquid having passed through a downstream end 11c of the plate-like member 11 that includes the supply channel; and a liquid sampling port 15a serving as an inlet of the liquid reservoir 15, which is spaced upstream of the supply channel 11 from the downstream end 11c of the plate-like member 11 in a plan view.