Pore-Based Particle Measurement with Pressure-Driven Unclogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pore-based particle size measurement methods face issues with clogging due to particle accumulation, which conventional polarity reversal techniques fail to resolve effectively, leading to measurement disruptions and potential electrolysis.
Innovation Solution
A microparticle measuring apparatus with a pressure controller that generates a pressure difference between liquid chambers to unclog the pore, using pressure instead of large currents to resolve clogging, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polarity reversal technique is used to resolve pore clogging, then clogging can be partially resolved, but electrolysis occurs at the electrodes and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical field-based polarity reversal method with a pressure-based mechanical system. The pressure control unit applies pressure difference to the liquid chambers to physically push particles back through the pore, resolving clogging without using large currents that cause electrolysis. This substitutes electrical mechanical action with hydraulic mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure control unit as an intermediary between the measurement system and the clogged pore. This intermediary applies controlled pressure to resolve clogging, mediating between the need to clear particles and the need to avoid electrolysis. The pressure controller acts as a buffer that achieves unclogging without direct electrical intervention.
2Force
If large current is applied to resolve clogging, then strong electrophoretic force can be generated, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to electrolysis and chemical state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical current-based electrophoretic force with pressure-based mechanical force. Instead of using large currents to generate strong electrophoretic forces that risk electrolysis, the system uses pressure difference to physically move particles. This maintains the necessary force while avoiding the harmful electrical effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using pressure control units to apply pressure difference to the liquid chambers. This hydraulic approach generates the necessary force to move particles through the pore without relying on electrical currents, thereby avoiding electrolysis and maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If measurement continues with clogged pore, then measurement downtime is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to particle accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically detects clogging through current signal monitoring and autonomously resolves it using pressure control. This self-diagnosis and self-healing capability allows continuous operation without manual intervention, maintaining both productivity and accuracy by promptly addressing clogging when it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the current signal for clogging indicators and automatically adjusting pressure application in response. This closed-loop feedback system detects clogging conditions and triggers pressure-based unclogging, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained while minimizing downtime through rapid automatic response.
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
The apparatus effectively resolves clogging without electrolysis, ensuring accurate particle size measurement by detecting and addressing clogging through pressure control, reducing measurement downtime.
Implementation Method 1
the volume of the electrolyte solution in the pore will be decreased by an amount equivalent to the volume of the particle, thus increasing electric resistance of the pore
Implementation Method 2
the particles 4 migrate from one space through the pore 104 into the other space while being driven by electrophoresis
Implementation Method 3
generate a pressure difference between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, upon detection of clogging of the pore-based device during the measurement
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The microparticle measuring apparatus 1 is used in combination with a pore-based device 100. The pore-based device 100 has a first liquid chamber 122 and a second liquid chamber 124 separated by a partition having a pore. A measuring instrument 200 is structured to measure a current signal that flows between a first electrode E1 provided in the first liquid chamber 122 and a second electrode E2 provided in the second liquid chamber 124. Upon detection of the clogging of the pore-based device 100 during the measurement, the pressure controller 400 generates a pressure difference between the first liquid chamber 122 and the second liquid chamber 124.