Electrolyte Reagent Dilution Flow Path 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 high-concentration reagents, complicating the device configuration with additional components for accurate concentration measurement.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte analysis apparatus that dilutes high-concentration reagents using a simpler configuration by alternating the supply of reagents through a winding flow path with a spiral structure and a liquid sending mechanism to enhance mixing and minimize sedimentation, ensuring accurate reagent preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-concentration reagents are used to reduce replacement frequency, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to concentration variability affecting analytical values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalytical throughputVSAvoidelectrolyte concentration measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent system is segmented into multiple concentration levels (high-concentration stored reagent and diluted working reagent). The high-concentration reagent is stored in the bottle to extend usage duration, while automatic dilution generates working reagents at precise concentrations for accurate measurements, resolving the conflict between productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary dilution of high-concentration reagents before they are used for measurements. By pre-diluting the reagent to the exact working concentration using an automatic dilution device, the system ensures measurement precision is maintained while allowing the use of high-concentration stock solutions for extended periods, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If reagent bottles are replaced frequently to maintain concentration accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to replacement and recalibration operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalytical standard accuracyVSAvoiddowntime for bottle replacement and calibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary dilution of high-concentration reagents before they are used for measurements. By pre-diluting the reagent to the exact working concentration using an automatic dilution device, the system ensures measurement precision is maintained while allowing the use of high-concentration stock solutions for extended periods, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic dilution device enables the reagent system to self-regulate its concentration. The device automatically monitors reagent concentration and performs dilution as needed, eliminating the need for manual bottle replacement and recalibration by operators, thus reducing downtime while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If automatic dilution devices are added to improve reagent concentration accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediluted reagent concentration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic dilution device is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a dilution device and as part of the reagent supply system. By integrating the dilution function into the existing reagent management infrastructure, the system achieves improved measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic dilution device enables the reagent system to self-regulate its concentration. The device automatically monitors reagent concentration and performs dilution as needed, eliminating the need for manual bottle replacement and recalibration by operators, thus reducing downtime while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 apparatus achieves higher accuracy in reagent dilution with reduced complexity, minimizing reagent waste and operational downtime by optimizing the flow path design and mixing process.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid sending mechanism that sends the high-concentration reagent and the reagent diluent to the junction unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a winding flow path with a spiral structure... to enhance mixing and minimize sedimentation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4089418B1Electrolyte analysis apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4089418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4089418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4089418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electrolyte analysis apparatus capable of diluting and preparing a reagent with higher accuracy with a simpler device configuration. A first flow path configured to send a high-concentration reagent from a high-concentration reagent bottle that stores the high-concentration reagent, 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 prepared reagent which is a mixed liquid of the high-concentration reagent and the reagent diluent from the junction unit, a dilution tank configured to store the prepared reagent, a prepared reagent discharge nozzle configured to discharge the prepared reagent sent in the third flow path to the dilution tank, 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, and an analysis unit configured to perform analysis with the prepared reagent stored in the dilution tank are provided.