Device for measuring electrolyte concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolyte measurement devices struggle to accurately measure the electrolyte concentration, particularly in environments where temperature stability is not guaranteed, and temperature differences between the electrode and liquid are difficult to manage, leading to inaccurate analysis results.
Innovation Solution
A device that measures electrolyte concentration by calculating the temperature difference between the ion selective electrode and the liquid using potential measurements at multiple times, without the need for additional temperature sensors, allowing for improved temperature control and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is attached to the housing wall surface or flow path of an electrode, then temperature can be measured, but measurement accuracy of temperature difference is poor and electrical noise affects potential measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensor measurement system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using a temperature sensor to directly measure temperature, the invention uses the ion selective electrode's potential output to indirectly measure temperature differences. The electrode potential, which is affected by temperature, serves as the measurement signal, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and their associated electrical noise and installation problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary measurement approach where the electrode potential serves as a mediator between the temperature difference and the measurement system. Rather than measuring temperature directly, the system measures the electrode potential that reflects temperature effects, and then calculates temperature difference from this potential signal. This intermediary approach avoids direct contact between temperature sensors and the measurement circuitry.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is installed in a flow path, then temperature of liquid can be measured, but electrical noise due to the temperature sensor affects potential measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature measurement function from the potential measurement system. Instead of having a temperature sensor in the flow path that interferes with potential measurement, the system uses the electrode potential itself as the measurement parameter. The temperature information is extracted from the potential signal rather than requiring a separate temperature sensor in the flow path, thereby eliminating the electrical noise interference.
3Productivity
If liquid in a flow path is replaced in a cycle of several seconds, then high throughput analysis is achieved, but it is difficult to follow a change in liquid temperature because a temperature sensor itself has heat capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal measurement system (temperature sensor with heat capacity) with an electrical measurement system (electrode potential measurement). The electrode potential responds instantaneously to temperature changes without the thermal inertia that plagues physical temperature sensors. This substitution enables the system to track rapid temperature changes in high-throughput applications where liquid is replaced every few seconds.
4Reliability
If additional temperature sensors are installed to measure temperature difference between electrode and liquid, then temperature control can be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the ion selective electrode multi-functional by using it for both its primary function (ion concentration measurement) and as a temperature sensor. The electrode potential provides information about both ion concentration and temperature, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors. This universal use of the existing electrode reduces device complexity while maintaining temperature control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the electrode's own output signal to measure temperature differences, rather than requiring external temperature sensors. The electrode essentially measures its own temperature environment through its potential output, which is affected by temperature. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional temperature sensing components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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 approach enables more accurate and reliable electrolyte concentration measurements by accounting for temperature fluctuations, enhancing the stability and precision of the analysis process.
Implementation Method 1
A value of potential (electromotive force) outputted from an ion selective electrode is affected not only by ion concentration in liquid (specimen) to be measured but also by temperature
Implementation Method 2
measures potential of an ion selective electrode at at least two or more different times while liquid is present in a flow path for introducing the liquid into the ion selective electrode, and calculates a temperature difference between the liquid and the ion selective electrode using the measured potential of the ion selective electrode at two or more different times
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a device for measuring electrolyte concentration capable of easily measuring a temperature difference between a sensitive membrane and liquid in the vicinity of the sensitive membrane that affects an electrolyte concentration analysis value. The device for measuring electrolyte concentration according to the present invention measures potential of an ion selective electrode at at least two or more different times while liquid is present in a flow path for introducing the liquid into the ion selective electrode, and calculates a temperature difference between the liquid and the ion selective electrode using the measured potential of the ion selective electrode at two or more different times (see FIG. 4).