Compact Mixing System with Movable Nozzle for Reduced Diluent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing and measurement systems require a large amount of diluent due to sample retention issues, leading to increased utility size and inefficiency in continuous measurement processes.
Innovation Solution
A compact mixing system with a movable mechanism to adjust the gap between the mixing agent discharge nozzle and the sample collection port, allowing for efficient sample collection and mixing agent usage, coupled with a measurement unit for sample analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large amount of diluent is supplied to flush remaining sample from the probe and tubes, then continuous measurement can be performed, but the volume of the diluent supply utility increases and the system becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the remaining sample from the probe and tube system by introducing a flushing agent through the sample collection port. This flushing action removes the retained sample without requiring large volumes of diluent, thereby enabling continuous measurement while keeping the utility volume compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a flushing agent as an intermediary substance to transfer and remove the remaining sample from the probe and tubes. This mediator enables the clearance of retained sample with minimal diluent volume, resolving the contradiction between continuous measurement capability and utility size.
2Measurement precision
If a large amount of diluent is used to account for sample retention, then accurate concentration measurement is possible, but the mixing agent consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing agent extracts and removes the remaining sample from the probe and tube system before measurement. This extraction eliminates the need to add excess mixing agent to compensate for unknown sample retention, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing mixing agent consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs a preliminary flushing action to remove remaining sample before the actual measurement process. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent measurement uses only the intended sample amount, eliminating the need for excessive mixing agent and improving concentration measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If the sample collection port is positioned far from the mixing agent discharge nozzle, then sample collection is efficient, but the mixing agent cannot effectively flush the remaining sample
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the mixing agent discharge nozzle movable, allowing it to dynamically change position. The nozzle can be positioned away from the sample collection port during sample collection for efficiency, then moved close to the port for effective flushing, thus resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and flushing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic action by alternating between two positions of the mixing agent discharge nozzle: a first position during sample collection that is away from the sample collection port, and a second position during flushing that is close to the sample collection port. This periodic repositioning enables both efficient sample collection and effective flushing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a compact mixing system capable of reducing a use amount of a mixing agent and reducing a volume of a utility that supplies the mixing agent, and a measurement system using the mixing system. The mixing system includes: a mixing agent discharge nozzle through which a mixing agent to be mixed with a sample is to be discharged; and a movable mechanism configured to adjust a gap between the mixing agent discharge nozzle and a sample collection port that opens to an inside of a sample tube through which the sample is to flow so as to collect the sample.