Indicator Field Buffer Capacity Standardization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Indicator fields from different production batches exhibit varying buffer capacities, leading to inconsistent pH measurements due to fluctuations in the amount of indicator dye and material pH values, causing different color changes when immersed in the same aqueous solution.

Innovation Solution

The method involves impregnating indicator fields with a dilute acid or alkali solution to standardize their buffer capacities, ensuring uniform color changes and reliable pH measurements across different batches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If indicator fields from different production batches are used, then production efficiency is maintained, but buffer capacity varies leading to inconsistent pH measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpH measurement consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the buffer capacity of indicator fields through controlled addition of buffers during manufacturing. This modifies the chemical composition parameters to achieve uniform buffer capacity across different production batches, thereby ensuring consistent pH measurement results while maintaining high production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-adjusting the buffer capacity of indicator fields during the manufacturing process. This advance adjustment ensures that all indicator fields, regardless of production batch, start with standardized buffer characteristics before being used for pH measurements, eliminating the need for post-production calibration and ensuring measurement consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If the amount of indicator dye is increased to improve color visibility, then color change intensity improves, but buffer capacity increases causing delayed pH response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor change intensityVSAvoidpH response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by independently adjusting the buffer capacity parameter through controlled buffer addition, decoupling it from the indicator dye concentration. This allows optimization of color change intensity through dye amount while separately controlling buffer capacity to ensure rapid pH response, eliminating the trade-off between visibility and response speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach levels out production-related fluctuations in buffer capacities, resulting in consistent and reproducible pH measurements by adjusting the impregnation to match the pH range, thereby improving the reliability of pH determinations.

Implementation Method 1

each indicator field contains at least one indicator dye that is fixed in a non-bleeding manner and changes its color within a pH transition range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH indicator color change: Photochromism

Implementation Method 2

all indicator fields are impregnated externally with an impregnation that influences the buffer capacities of the indicator fields in such a way that the deviations are leveled out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuffer capacity adjustment: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3680657B1Indicator field, method for treating indicator fields and test device comprising such an indicator field
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 AXAGARIUS
  • EP3680657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for treating a plurality of indicator fields (3) for determining the pH value of an aqueous solution, wherein the indicator fields (3) each contain at least one indicator dye that is fixed without bleeding, in particular on a layer comprising cellulose or regenerated cellulose, and which changes its color within a pH transition range, and wherein the indicator fields (3) have different buffer capacities, wherein all indicator fields (3) are impregnated externally with an impregnation (4) that influences the buffer capacities of the indicator fields (3) such that the deviations are leveled out. The invention further relates to an indicator field treated in this way and to a test device with such an indicator field.