Dispensing Nozzle Cleaning via Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing nozzle cleaning methods for automatic analyzers require longer cleaning times due to the need to perform operations in two tanks, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning and performance when speed and improvement are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle cleaning method that involves starting and stopping the overflow of a storage tank during the cleaning process, allowing the cleaning liquid to overflow into an overflow tank, thereby efficiently cleaning the dispensing nozzle in a single storage tank and reducing carry-over, by controlling the overflow before and after the dispensing nozzle immerses and emerges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-tank cleaning device (waste tank and cleaning tank) is used to prevent sample contamination, then cleaning reliability is improved, but cleaning time increases due to additional raising/lowering operations and movement between tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waste tank and cleaning tank into a single integrated tank structure. The tank serves dual functions: it receives contaminated cleaning liquid (waste function) and provides fresh cleaning liquid for nozzle cleaning (cleaning function). This eliminates the need for separate tanks and the time-consuming operations of moving between them, while maintaining effective cleaning through internal partitioning and controlled liquid flow management
2Measurement precision
If a large amount of cleaning liquid is used to prevent carry-over, then cleaning precision is improved, but cleaning time and liquid consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a preload liquid discharge mechanism that performs preliminary cleaning action before the main cleaning process. The dispensing nozzle discharges preload liquid to clean its own inner wall surface, removing sample residues in advance. This preliminary action reduces the amount of cleaning liquid needed in the main cleaning phase and shortens overall cleaning time while maintaining high carry-over prevention precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic overflow control of the tank, where the overflow is started and stopped at specific intervals during the cleaning process. This periodic action maintains optimal liquid levels, ensures continuous fresh cleaning liquid supply to the nozzle, and prevents excessive liquid consumption while maintaining effective cleaning throughout the process
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 method reduces the cleaning time and prevents sample carry-over into the storage tank, enabling efficient cleaning of the dispensing nozzle while maintaining clear cleaning liquid, thus improving the efficiency and speed of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
controlling means that controls so that the cleaning liquid overflows from the storage tank into the overflow tank
Implementation Method 2
the dispensing nozzle is lowered and immersed into the storage tank with the cleaning liquid stored, and the outer wall surface is cleaned
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a nozzle cleaning method and a nozzle cleaning device which allow to surely perform cleaning of a dispensing nozzle and which allow reduction in cleaning time. For this purpose, a nozzle cleaning method for cleaning a dispensing nozzle (50) for suctioning and discharging a liquid includes: a first cleaning step in which, after termination of dispensing, an inner wall surface of the dispensing nozzle (50) is cleaned in an upper portion of a storage tank (62) overflowed with a cleaning liquid (L2) by discharging a liquid for preload (L1); and a second cleaning step in which at least an outer wall surface is cleaned by lowering and immersing the dispensing nozzle (50) into the storage tank (62) overflowed with the cleaning liquid (L2).