Flow-Type Ion Selective Electrode Sealing for Low Sample Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-type ion selective electrodes face challenges in maintaining high measurement accuracy when the amount of sample liquid is decreased, due to gaps between passage connecting units leading to residual liquid affecting measurement results.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sealing member with a sheet and projection, made of a softer material than the electrode case, which seals the gap between passages by increasing its cross-sectional area upon pressing, ensuring no gap is present and maintaining accurate sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional passage connecting unit without sealing member is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but gaps between passages cause residual liquid to remain leading to decreased measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the first case and the second case to seal the gap between passages. This sealing member includes a sheet and a projection, where the projection fits into a groove to secure the sealing member in place, effectively preventing residual liquid from remaining in gaps while maintaining clear passage connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member utilizes a sheet component that can flexibly conform to the interface between cases, creating an effective seal. The thin film structure of the sheet allows it to adapt to slight variations in positioning while maintaining sealing effectiveness, preventing residual liquid accumulation without adding significant structural complexity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the sealing member is made of harder material than the case, then the sealing durability is improved, but the sealing accuracy decreases due to inability to conform to surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed with specific material parameter characteristics - using an elastomer with controlled hardness that balances durability and conformability. The material parameters are selected to allow the sealing member to deform slightly and conform to surface irregularities while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is constructed as a composite structure combining a sheet and a projection, where the material composition and structural design work together to achieve both durability and sealing accuracy. The projection portion provides structural support for durability while the sheet portion provides conformability for accurate sealing.
3Productivity
If the amount of sample liquid is decreased to improve efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the residual liquid in gaps affects measurement results leading to decreased measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element of residual liquid is extracted or removed from the system by introducing the sealing member that prevents residual liquid from accumulating in gaps between passages. This allows the system to operate with reduced sample liquid volumes without the detrimental effects of residual liquid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of reduced sample liquid volume is converted into a benefit by using the sealing member to eliminate gap formation. The sealing member transforms what would be a harmful condition (reduced liquid volume leading to incomplete flushing) into a beneficial state where minimal liquid volume is sufficient because gaps that trap residual liquid are eliminated.
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 solution allows for a significant reduction in the amount of sample liquid used while maintaining high measurement accuracy, ensuring stable sealing and minimizing residual liquid, thus improving the efficiency of electrolyte measurement devices.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member that seals a gap between a passage of a case and another case in connection with the case, wherein the sealing member includes a sheet and a projection, and rubber hardness of a material configuring the sealing member is lower than rubber hardness of a material configuring the case
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electrolyte measuring device that can decrease a liquid amount used for measurement, in which stable sealing can be provided in connecting passages of ion selective electrodes to each other with no gap, while maintaining high measurement accuracy of an existing ion selective electrode, and a residing sample liquid can be greatly decreased. In a flow-type ion selective electrode, a sealing member is used, which can be brought into intimate contact with a passage connecting unit to near a passage hole. A gap regulating member is provided to keep a gap between the electrodes constant and to prevent the sealing member from being excessively pressed. An electrode case has a structure suitable for the sealing member for allowing the alignment and holding of the sealing member.