Liquid Sample Handling Apparatus with Partitioned Metering Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular sample handling apparatuses for automatic removal of liquid samples from a sample-taking location face challenges in robustness, user-friendliness, and maintenance accessibility, particularly due to the complexity of replacing or retrofitting the sample withdrawal unit within the wet space module.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a housing with a partitioned metering space, allowing for the separation of liquid contacting components from electrical/mechanical components, enabling easier maintenance and retrofitting, with a releasable plate that secures and protects the supply and metering system components, facilitating diverse configurations and modular expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sample withdrawal unit is integrated into the wet space module, then the apparatus achieves robustness and modular construction, but the sample withdrawal unit cannot easily be replaced or retrofitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the metering space into two separable parts using a releasably connectable plate: a first part that remains integrated with the wet space module, and a second part that can be removed and replaced independently. This segmentation allows the sample withdrawal unit to be easily exchanged while maintaining the robust modular construction of the overall apparatus.
2Ease of manufacture
If the apparatus uses a large number of individual components for modular construction, then the apparatus achieves flexibility and ease of manufacture, but the manufacturing costs and maintenance efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple supply and metering system components (such as the sample withdrawal unit, pump, and associated piping) into a single integrated plate assembly that can be installed or removed as one unit. This merging reduces the effective number of discrete components that need to be handled during maintenance, while still allowing modular replacement of the entire assembly.
3Ease of repair
If the sample withdrawal unit is made accessible for replacement, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the robustness and sealed construction of the wet space module is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample withdrawal unit and associated metering components from the sealed wet space module by placing them on a plate that can be releasably connected to form a separate, replaceable section. This allows the wet space module to maintain its sealed, robust construction while enabling easy access and replacement of the metering components through plate removal.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for handling a liquid sample, especially for automatic removal of a liquid sample from a sample-taking location, comprising: a control unit; a sample collecting unit; a supply and metering system, which is embodied to convey a liquid sample from the sample-taking location and to meter the sample into a liquid receptacle of the sample collecting unit; a housing with a first housing part, which at least partially surrounds at least the sample collecting unit, and a second housing part, which is separated from the first housing part, and which at least partially surrounds a metering space; wherein at least parts of the supply and metering system are arranged in the metering space; and wherein the apparatus furthermore includes a plate, which is releasably connected with the second housing part surrounding the metering space, and which divides the metering space into a first metering space part and a second metering space part.