Electrolyte Reagent Dilution Flow Design for Accurate Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolyte analysis apparatuses require frequent reagent bottle replacement, leading to increased operational burden and downtime due to the need for recalibration, especially with standard solutions, complicating the device configuration with additional components like tanks and detectors for accurate reagent concentration.
Innovation Solution
A simplified configuration using a high-concentration reagent bottle, reagent diluent bottle, first and second flow paths, junction unit, third flow path, dilution tank, and analysis unit to prepare reagents with higher accuracy by mixing and diluting reagents at a predetermined ratio, reducing the need for complex mixing and stirring mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-concentration reagent is diluted and used to reduce bottle replacement frequency, then reagent usage efficiency is improved, but device configuration becomes complicated requiring additional tanks, detectors, mixing mechanisms, and stirring devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reagent preparation function from a complex automated system and implements it using simple manual operations. The operator manually mixes reagent and diluent in predetermined ratios using basic flow paths and a junction unit, eliminating the need for complex automated mixing mechanisms, detectors, and control systems while maintaining accurate concentration control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service reagent preparation where the operator directly performs the mixing operation without requiring complex automated assistance. The flow paths and junction unit are designed to allow straightforward manual operation, and the mixed reagent is directly supplied to the analysis unit, creating a self-sufficient reagent preparation process that avoids complex external control systems.
2Measurement precision
If frequent reagent bottle replacement is performed to maintain reagent accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but operational burden and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-mixing reagents with diluent in predetermined ratios to prepare reagent solutions of accurate concentrations in advance. This allows the analysis to proceed without frequent interruptions for bottle replacement or recalibration, as the pre-prepared reagent solutions maintain their accuracy throughout the analysis period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the concentration parameter of the reagent by mixing high-concentration reagent with diluent in controlled ratios. This creates intermediate concentration solutions that extend the usable life of reagent bottles while maintaining measurement accuracy, thereby reducing the frequency of bottle replacements and associated downtime.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex mixing and stirring mechanisms are added to improve diluted reagent concentration accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the simple mixing approach from manual laboratory procedures and implements it in the automated analysis system. Instead of developing complex automated mixing and stirring mechanisms, the system uses basic flow paths and a junction unit that replicate simple manual mixing techniques, achieving accurate concentration control without mechanical complexity.
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 allows for accurate reagent preparation with a simpler device configuration, minimizing reagent waste and reducing operational downtime by automating the reagent preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid sending mechanism configured to send the high-concentration reagent and the reagent diluent to the junction unit at a predetermined ratio so that the prepared reagent discharged from the prepared reagent discharge nozzle to the dilution tank through the third flow path has a predetermined concentration
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrolyte analysis apparatus capable of diluting and preparing a reagent with higher accuracy with a simpler device configuration, comprising a first flow path configured to send a high-concentration reagent from a high-concentration reagent bottle, a second flow path configured to send a reagent diluent from a reagent diluent bottle that stores the reagent diluent for diluting the high-concentration reagent, a junction unit configured to join the first flow path and the second flow path, a third flow path configured to send a mixed liquid, a dilution tank configured to store the prepared reagent, a prepared reagent discharge nozzle configured to discharge the prepared reagent, a liquid sending mechanism configured to send the reagent and the reagent diluent to the junction unit at a predetermined ratio so that the prepared reagent has a predetermined concentration, and an analysis unit configured to perform analysis with the prepared reagent.