Probe Position Detection via Flow Pressure in Analyzer Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzing apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting abnormalities in the positional relationship between a probe and cleaning water due to surface wetting, dew condensation, electromagnetic noise, or low conductivity of cleaning water, which can lead to improper cleaning and affect analysis results.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzing apparatus equipped with a pipetting mechanism, syringe, flow path, pressure sensor, and control unit to detect abnormalities in the relative positional relationship between the probe and cleaning water by measuring pressure changes during aspiration through cleaning water, independent of surface state or electromagnetic noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductivity detection type sensor or capacitance detection type sensor is used to detect the positional relationship between the probe and cleaning water, then the cleaning state can be monitored, but the detection reliability deteriorates when the probe surface is wet due to dew condensation or when electromagnetic noise or low conductivity of cleaning water interferes with the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical detection system (conductivity or capacitance sensors) with a mechanical detection system using a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects pressure changes in the cleaning water caused by the probe's movement, providing mechanical information about the positional relationship without being affected by electrical interference, surface wetting, or conductivity variations. This substitution of detection mechanism fundamentally resolves the reliability issues of the previous electrical sensing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure changes in the cleaning water as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect the probe's position. Instead of directly measuring electrical properties that are susceptible to interference, the system measures pressure changes caused by the probe's displacement of cleaning water. This intermediary approach translates the positional information into a pressure signal that is immune to electromagnetic noise and surface condition variations.
2Measurement precision
If the area (contact area) onto which cleaning water is sprayed changes depending on the positional relationship between the probe and cleaning water, then the cleaning effectiveness varies, but detecting this variation using electrical sensors becomes unreliable under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical sensing with mechanical pressure sensing to measure the contact area between cleaning water and probe. The pressure sensor detects pressure changes that correspond to the area of cleaning water contacting the probe, providing precise measurement of the contact area without being influenced by electrical interference or surface conditions that would compromise reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical properties (conductivity, capacitance) to mechanical properties (pressure). This parameter transformation allows the system to detect variations in contact area reliably, as pressure changes directly reflect the physical interaction between the probe and cleaning water regardless of surface wetting, electromagnetic noise, or water conductivity.
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
Accurately detects positional misalignments between the probe and cleaning water, ensuring effective cleaning and improving the reliability of analysis results, even in conditions where conductivity detection type sensors or capacitance detection type sensors may fail.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analyzing apparatus and a probe position detecting method include: a pipetting mechanism that aspirates and discharges liquid by a probe; a syringe that causes the pipetting mechanism to aspirate and discharge the liquid; a flow path connecting the pipetting mechanism and the syringe; a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the flow path; a cleaning mechanism that discharges cleaning water and cleans an outer wall of the probe with the cleaning water; a probe drive unit that causes the probe under aspiration to move so as to aspirate the cleaning water when the probe passes through the cleaning water; and a control unit that detects an abnormality in a relative positional relationship between the probe and the cleaning water on the basis of a change in the pressure in the flow path when the probe under aspiration passed through the cleaning water in one direction.