Flip Top Sample Head With Hinged Plates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopic sample cells are difficult to clean and require significant time and skill, which can lead to improper cleaning and affect the accuracy of quantitative analysis.
Innovation Solution
A flip top sample cell with hinged plates that can be easily opened and closed to place a sample, ensuring a predetermined cell thickness, and featuring kinematic mounts and magnets for secure alignment and adjustable spacing, allowing for easy use and reliable analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional filled sample cell is used, then quantitative analysis can be performed, but the cell is difficult to clean and requires significant time and skill
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cell is divided into two separate hinged plates (first plate with first window and second plate with second window) that can be independently handled. This segmentation allows the sample to be placed on one plate while the other plate remains clean, and enables easy separation for cleaning without affecting the sealed cell structure during analysis.
2Measurement precision
If a sealed sample cell is used, then quantitative analysis is maintained, but the cell cannot be easily accessed for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cell transitions from a static sealed structure to a dynamic structure with hinged plates that can pivot between closed (sealed) and open (accessible) positions. This dynamic design maintains the sealed configuration during analysis for precision while allowing easy opening for cleaning by pivoting the plates to accessible positions.
3Reliability
If solvent processes are used to clean the cell, then proper cleaning is ensured, but significant time is required and technician skill is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sample is placed on one plate before the other plate is positioned, allowing the sample to be contained between the plates without requiring post-placement cleaning operations. The easy-open design allows technicians to wipe samples off plates before closing them, preventing sample residue buildup that would require time-consuming solvent cleaning processes.
4Ease of operation
If a flip top sample cell with hinged plates is used, then ease of use is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second hinged plates are combined with the sample cell housing to form an integrated assembly where the plates pivot within the housing boundaries. This merging eliminates the need for separate external components for sample placement and sealing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ease of use benefits of the flip-top design.
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 sample head ensures a consistent and predefined sample thickness, making it easier to use, reliable, and rugged, while simplifying the cleaning process and maintaining the accuracy of quantitative analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The magnet set includes four spaced magnets in the first plate and four spaced magnets in the second plate
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer sample head including a housing, at least one source of radiation in the housing, and a flip top sample cell including first and second hinged plates and a window through the first plate with a pane in the window, the pane for receiving a sample thereon. The housing includes a channel for receiving the plates when coupled together for placing the sample in the optical path of the radiation.