Particle Separation Apparatus Pre-Filling Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle separation devices require a significant amount of time for the liquid flow to stabilize before effective particle separation can occur.

Innovation Solution

A particle separation apparatus that includes a liquid supply unit A to produce a mixed liquid by mixing liquid A and liquid C, and a control unit to manage the supply of liquid B to fill the separation device, allowing liquid A to be supplied as the mixed liquid once the device is filled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the separation device is filled with liquid A before starting the particle separation process, then the particle separation can begin immediately, but the liquid flow does not stabilize and effective separation cannot occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required to start supplying sample liquidVSAvoidparticle separation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation device is pre-filled with liquid B (buffer liquid or sheath liquid) before the particle separation process begins. This preliminary action prepares the flow path and ensures stable liquid flow conditions are established in advance, allowing liquid A (sample liquid) to be supplied immediately without compromising separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If liquid A is supplied immediately to the separation device, then the time required to start the process is reduced, but the liquid flow becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess start speedVSAvoidliquid flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Liquid B (buffer liquid or sheath liquid) is introduced as an intermediary substance that fills the separation device first. This intermediary liquid establishes stable flow conditions in the separation device, allowing liquid A (sample liquid) to be supplied immediately while maintaining flow stability through the intermediary's presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the time required to start supplying the sample liquid to the separation device, enhancing the efficiency of the particle separation process.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid supply unit A produces a mixed liquid by mixing the liquid A and a liquid C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the liquid supply unit A produces a mixed liquid by mixing the liquid A and a liquid C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250108376A1Particle separation apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A particle separation apparatus includes: a liquid supply unit A; a liquid supply unit B; and a control unit. The liquid supply unit A produces a mixed liquid by mixing the liquid A and a liquid C, and supplies the liquid A to the separation device as the mixed liquid. The control unit controls the liquid supply unit A and the liquid supply unit B to supply the liquid B from the liquid supply unit B to the separation device so as to fill the separation device with the liquid B while producing the mixed liquid by the liquid supply unit A, and supply the liquid A from the liquid supply unit A to the separation device as the mixed liquid after the separation device is filled with the liquid B.