Evaporation-Preventing Membrane Segmentation for Capillary Electrophoresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In capillary electrophoresis apparatus, the evaporation-preventing membrane is prone to detachment when capillaries are inserted or withdrawn, leading to increased temperature differences and variability in measurement results due to extended cathode ends and friction-related issues.
Innovation Solution
An evaporation-preventing membrane with projections around capillary holes is engaged with the cover, providing secure support and preventing detachment during capillary insertion and withdrawal without extending the cathode ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the evaporation-preventing membrane is made elastic to hermetically seal the capillary peripheries, then the sealing function is improved, but the membrane is prone to detachment when capillaries are inserted or withdrawn
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporation-preventing membrane is divided into a membrane body portion and a protruding portion. The protruding portion engages with the cover's groove to prevent detachment, while the membrane body portion maintains sealing function. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion of the membrane is nested into a groove on the cover, creating a mechanical interlocking structure. This nesting prevents the membrane from detaching during capillary insertion and withdrawal while maintaining the sealing function.
2Ease of operation
If capillaries are forced through the elastic membrane against friction, then capillary insertion is achieved, but the membrane or container may be raised up due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the membrane into a membrane body portion and a protruding portion, the friction force during capillary insertion is localized to the membrane body portion. The protruding portion engaged in the groove prevents the entire membrane from being raised up due to friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion nested in the groove acts as an anchor, preventing the membrane from being raised up by friction forces during capillary insertion. This nested structure distributes the stress and prevents membrane displacement.
3Reliability
If the cathode ends of capillaries are extended to maintain distance from the evaporation-preventing membrane, then the membrane detachment is prevented, but temperature differences increase and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane structure is segmented into a membrane body portion and a protruding portion. This allows the membrane to be securely attached via the protruding portion without requiring extended cathode ends, thereby maintaining measurement precision while ensuring reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the cathode ends in the vertical dimension to prevent detachment, the solution moves to a horizontal dimension by adding a protruding portion that engages with a groove on the cover. This dimensional change prevents detachment without affecting the cathode end position and measurement precision.
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 ensures the evaporation-preventing membrane remains securely affixed, reducing temperature variations and measurement inconsistencies by maintaining the cathode ends within the solution reservoir, thus stabilizing the membrane and improving measurement reliability.
Implementation Method 1
An evaporation-preventing membrane is made of an elastic material. When capillaries are passing through bores on an evaporation-preventing membrane, the bores are contracted due to the elastic force, and the evaporation-preventing membrane hermetically seals the capillary peripheries.
Implementation Method 2
When capillaries are passing through bores on an evaporation-preventing membrane, the bores are contracted due to the elastic force, and the evaporation-preventing membrane hermetically seals the capillary peripheries. When capillaries are passed through bores on the evaporation-preventing membrane, a driving force that forces the capillaries into the bores against the friction between the capillaries and bores is necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
The solution reservoir apparatus of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus securely affixes an evaporation-preventing membrane to a container when a capillary is inserted or withdrawn, without extending the cathode end of the capillary. The solution reservoir apparatus comprises a container for reserving a sample or solution, a cover having a bore through which the capillary is passed and covering the container, an evaporation-preventing membrane having a capillary hole through which the capillary is passed, and a container holder for holding the container. The evaporation-preventing membrane has a projection provided at the periphery of the capillary hole, the projection of the evaporation-preventing membrane is engaged with the bore on the cover when the evaporation-preventing membrane is positioned on the cover, and the evaporation-preventing membrane is supported by the cover.