Liquid Classification via Pressure Curve Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipetting devices face challenges in accurately selecting pipetting parameters for liquids with unknown or variable physical characteristics, such as viscosity, vapor pressure, and surface tension, which complicates automated handling of diverse solvents and samples in biochemical laboratories.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fluid space connected to a measuring space with a pressure sensor, where pressure changes in the fluid column are recorded and converted into measurement signals, allowing for comparison with known pressure curves to determine appropriate pipetting parameters, including aspiration flow, container weight, and power consumption, enabling efficient pipetting of unknown samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If all physical parameters (viscosity, vapor pressure, surface tension) are measured to determine pipetting parameters, then pipetting precision is improved, but mechanical effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for pipetting parameter selection by measuring a single pressure parameter, rather than measuring all physical parameters (viscosity, vapor pressure, surface tension). This extraction approach obtains sufficient data with minimal measurement effort and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference database of pressure curves for different liquid types, which serves as a template or copy for comparison. When an unknown liquid is measured, its pressure curve is compared against the stored reference curves to identify the liquid type and select appropriate pipetting parameters, avoiding direct measurement of multiple physical parameters.
2Reliability
If multiple physical parameters are measured to characterize unknown liquids, then pipetting reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential characterization information into a single pressure parameter that reflects the combined effects of viscosity, vapor pressure, and surface tension. This single parameter approach maintains reliable liquid identification while avoiding the complexity of multiple measurement devices and systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure measurement system serves multiple functions: it characterizes the liquid, identifies the liquid type, and provides the basis for selecting pipetting parameters. This multi-functional use of a single measurement system maintains reliability while minimizing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive liquid characterization is performed, then adaptability to different liquids is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pre-built reference database of pressure curves for various liquid types. When a new liquid is encountered, its pressure curve is quickly compared against the stored references to identify the liquid type and retrieve appropriate pipetting parameters. This copying and comparison approach enables rapid adaptation to different liquids without time-consuming comprehensive measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference database of pressure curves and corresponding pipetting parameters is prepared in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly match and adapt to new liquids by comparison, rather than performing comprehensive characterization measurements each time a new liquid type is encountered, thus maintaining high processing speed.
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 allows for accurate characterization and pipetting of previously unknown samples with minimal mechanical and time effort, ensuring reliable and efficient handling of various liquids in automated systems by selecting the closest parameter set from a library based on defined tolerance ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the internal pressure of this measuring space is monitored with a pressure sensor, and in which at least a first part of this fluid space is brought into fluid communication with a sample of this liquid
Data Source
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), wherein the method is characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically based virtual parameter are recorded as a typical data set for this liquid (1); that this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared with corresponding data sets of known liquids; and that the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. A particularly preferred method and device for classifying a liquid (1) relates to a device comprising a fluid chamber (2) to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, the internal pressure of which is monitored by a pressure sensor (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) can be brought into fluid contact with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).A preferred device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a pulse unit (17) with which pressure changes are generated in a substantially continuous fluid column (7) arranged in the fluid chamber (2). These pressure changes cause corresponding pressure changes in the measuring chamber (3), which is pneumatically connected to the fluid column (7). These pressure changes are detected by the pressure sensor (4) and converted into measurement signals. The device also includes a computer (8) with which these measurement signals from the pressure sensor (4) can be processed and displayed as a pressure curve (9), so that the course of this pressure curve (9) can be compared with the course of known pressure curves (9', 9") and the liquid (1) can be classified on the basis of this comparison.