Electronic Dosing Device with Multi-Condition Calibration Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic dosing devices require frequent recalibration when operating conditions change, such as using different pipette tips or liquids, which is costly and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

An electronic dosing device with a data memory for storing multiple calibration data sets for various pipette tips, liquids, and conditions, allowing for easy selection and use of appropriate calibration data for different operating scenarios, eliminating the need for immediate recalibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only one type of calibration data is stored in the control system for different pipetting functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration data storageVSAvoidadaptability to different operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration data storage is segmented into multiple separate storage locations, each dedicated to specific operating conditions (different pipette tips, liquids, or ambient conditions). This allows the system to store multiple calibration data sets without increasing overall complexity, as each segment is independently managed and accessed based on the current operating condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration for different operating conditions in advance and stores the results in the data memory. When a specific operating condition is detected, the corresponding pre-calibrated data is automatically retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for real-time recalibration and maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If recalibration is performed for each change in operating conditions, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidrecalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration in advance for various operating conditions and stores the results. When operating conditions change, the system automatically selects and applies the corresponding pre-calibrated data without requiring real-time recalibration, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a sensor device that detects the current operating conditions (such as pipette tip type, liquid properties, or ambient conditions) and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically selects the appropriate calibration data from storage, ensuring measurement precision without manual recalibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If gravimetric measurements are performed to obtain calibration data for different operating conditions, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Gravimetric measurements and calibration procedures are performed in advance for different operating conditions, and the resulting calibration data is stored in the data memory. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for time-consuming gravimetric measurements during actual operation, maintaining high calibration accuracy while significantly reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing repeated gravimetric measurements for each operating condition change, the system creates and stores calibration data copies for various conditions. The control system then retrieves and applies the appropriate copy based on current conditions, maintaining calibration accuracy without repeating time-consuming measurement processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP1878500B1Use of an electronic metering device for metering liquids
Publication Date: 2012.10.24 EPPENDORF AG
  • EP1878500B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1878500B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1878500B1 patent drawingFigure 4.1~4.2

AI summary

The electronic hand device for dosing of liquids, comprises a drive (7, 8), a displacement device with a displacement chamber (9) and a displacement element (10), which are connected with the drive, an electrical voltage supply, a holding device for a pipette point, which has a passage channel that is connected with the displacement chamber, a data storage with storage locations for different calibration data concerning different pipette points and/or different liquids and/or different application conditions, and an electrical selective equipment for selecting calibration data. The electronic hand device for dosing of liquids, comprises a drive (7, 8), a displacement device with a displacement chamber (9) and a displacement element (10), which are connected with the drive, an electrical voltage supply, a holding device for a pipette point, which has a passage channel that is connected with the displacement chamber, a data storage with storage locations for different calibration data concerning different pipette points and/or different liquids and/or different application conditions, and an electrical selective equipment for selecting calibration data. An electrical control device is connected with the electrical selective device, the data storage and with the electrical driving motor of the drive and/or an electrical indicator device. The movement of the displacement element is controlled using the electric motor and/or the indication of the dosing volume by the indicator device under fallback of the selected calibration data from the data memory with the help of the selective equipment. The dosing device comprises calibration data for pipette points of different geometry and/or from different materials and/or with different surfaces and/or calibration data for different liquids and/or for different liquid types and/or calibration data for an ambient condition and/or calibration data for application and/or calibration data for user. The data storage comprises a non volatile data storage and solid stored calibration data. The dosing device has an electrical input mechanism for entering a gravimetrically determined volume and/or a density of a liquid and gravimetrically determined measure of the liquid. The control device calculates calibration data from the gravimetrically determined volume and/or from the density and the gravimetrically determined measures of a gravimetric volume. The calibration data reads in the data storage. Multi gravimetric measured values are readable using the input mechanism. The control device determines the calibration data for a multipoint calibration. The electrical selective device comprises the electrical input mechanism for entering and/or selecting calibration data of different pipette points and/or different liquids and/or different application conditions. The electrical input mechanism comprises mode key and a parameter key, whose manipulation releases that the control device controls the indication of different menus by the indicator plant or the assumption of indicated inputs. The input mechanism has a pair of electrical control keys arranged side by side and the electrical control device controls the indication of menu options by the indicator plant as well as the change of parameters and their indication by the indicator plant according to the manipulation of the control keys. The electrical control device controls the displacement of the restrictor element by the electric motor according to the manipulation of the control keys. The electrical input mechanism enables the adjustment of different operating mode and/or the adjustment of dosing parameters and/or the movement of the restrictor element. The input mechanism comprises a swiveling adjusting knob for adjusting the mode of operation of the dosing device. The electrical control device comprises a microprocessor or a micro controller. The electrical voltage supply comprises power adaptor and/or a battery and/or accumulator and/or an electrical battery charger for loading the accumulator.