Measurement Apparatus Moving Sensor Protrusion for Droplet Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement apparatuses face challenges in downsizing sensors while maintaining the ease of the droplet applying operation and incurring low manufacturing costs, due to complex configurations that increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus with a moving member that protrudes the sensor from the enclosure, allowing easy droplet application and incorporating a hermetic closing unit to seal the sensor cartridge with a minimal number of components, reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is downsized, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the droplet applying operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sensor in the longitudinal direction (one dimension) to achieve sufficient protrusion distance from the apparatus enclosure, compensating for the reduced sensor size in other dimensions. This allows the blood introduction port to be positioned far enough from the enclosure for easy droplet application while maintaining a compact overall sensor footprint.
2Reliability
If a hermetic closing mechanism is incorporated into the sensor cartridge, then the sensor is protected from water content, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic closing mechanism is extracted from the sensor cartridge itself and relocated to the measurement apparatus. The apparatus enclosure is designed to hermetically seal around the sensor cartridge, providing protection from water content without requiring a complex closing mechanism within the cartridge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement apparatus enclosure acts as an intermediary hermetic barrier between the sensor cartridge and the external environment. Instead of modifying the cartridge to include its own closing mechanism, the apparatus serves as the protective interface that seals the cartridge from water content.
3Ease of operation
If a complex configuration is used to take out the sensor from the sensor cartridge, then the sensor can be protruded for easy operation, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement apparatus is segmented into distinct functional modules: the apparatus enclosure, the sensor cartridge housing, and the moving member mechanism. This modular segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while enabling the sensor protrusion function.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus to measure a physical quantity related to a measurement target by use of a sensor, comprising: an apparatus enclosure; a control unit to be electrically connected to the sensor; and a moving member including a sensor holding unit to hold the sensor, the moving member being movable to protrude the sensor holding unit outwardly of the apparatus enclosure and further including a conductive member to electrically connect the sensor to the control unit.