Ion-Selective Electrode Joint Structure for Thermal-Stable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion-selective electrodes face challenges in achieving a stable and easy-to-clean connection between the sensor element and the probe housing, particularly when materials with different thermal expansion behaviors are used, leading to potential mechanical instability and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
An ion-selective electrode design featuring a probe body and a base body with a liquid-tight joint formed by a receptacle and a joining section, where the joining section is held in place by an adhesive layer and a form fit, preventing movement due to thermal expansion and ensuring a hygienic and durable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid-tight joint with adhesive layer is used to connect probe body and base body, then connection stability and hygiene are improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring the joint quality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a form-fit mechanism (recess and projection geometry) that pre-establishes alignment and positional accuracy before the adhesive sets. This preliminary mechanical guidance ensures correct joint formation, making the connection stable and hygienic while the adhesive cures. The form-fit design allows for easy visual and tactile verification of proper assembly, resolving the detection difficulty.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials with different thermal expansion coefficients are used for probe body and base body, then design flexibility and adaptation to different requirements are improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to thermal expansion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the adhesive layer as a compliant interface that can accommodate differential thermal expansion between the probe body and base body. The adhesive's viscoelastic properties allow it to absorb expansion/contraction stresses without transmitting them as mechanical loads to the sensor element, thereby maintaining mechanical stability despite using materials with different thermal expansion coefficients.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer serves as an intermediary between the probe body and base body, mediating the thermal expansion differences. This intermediate layer decouples the thermal stresses from the structural connection, allowing each component to expand and contract freely while maintaining the overall assembly's mechanical stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional mechanical connection is used between sensor element and probe housing, then ease of assembly is improved, but hygiene and cleanability deteriorate due to gaps and crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the adhesive layer: it provides mechanical bonding, creates a liquid-tight seal, and eliminates crevices. By merging the sealing and bonding functions into a single material layer that conforms to the surfaces, the design achieves hygienic conditions without complicating the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer acts as a flexible thin film that conforms to the mating surfaces of the probe body and base body, creating a continuous seal that eliminates gaps and crevices. This flexible film approach ensures hygienic conditions while accommodating surface irregularities and thermal expansion, and the smooth surface is easy to clean.
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 design provides a stable and hygienic connection that withstands temperature fluctuations and regular cleaning, maintaining the sensor's functionality and hygiene requirements, even when materials with different thermal expansion coefficients are used.
Implementation Method 1
The joining section is held in place by an adhesive layer and a form fit
Implementation Method 2
the membrane substantially selectively interacts with a certain ionic species present in the measuring liquid, namely with the analyte
Implementation Method 3
The sensor circuit generates an analog or digital measurement signal, which represents the electrical potential difference between the measuring half-cell and the reference half-cell
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an ion-selective electrode for an electrochemical sensor for determining a measurand representing a concentration of an analyte in a measuring medium, including a probe body made of a first material and a sensor element including a base body made of a second material different from the first material and an ion-selective layer arranged on the base body. The probe body is connected to the base body by way of a liquid-tight joint, where the joint is formed by a receptacle, serving as a first joining partner, and a joining section protruding into the receptacle, serving as a second joining partner.