Reference Electrode Segmented Inlet for Stable Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The refilling of internal solutions in reference electrodes during sample measurement leads to errors in measured values due to changes in chloride ion concentration and reference potential, especially when continuously measuring samples with changing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A reference electrode design with a surrounding wall and an inlet port positioned outside the surrounding wall to prevent immediate mixing of new internal solution with silver ions eluted from the internal electrode, along with a filling material to protect the internal electrode and reduce silver ion elution, allowing for controlled refilling during measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inlet port is opened toward the internal space to allow easy refilling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measured value accuracy deteriorates due to immediate mixing of new internal solution with silver ions
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into two regions by the surrounding wall: a first region outside the surrounding wall where new internal solution is refilled, and a second region inside the surrounding wall where the internal electrode is located. This segmentation prevents immediate mixing of new internal solution with silver ions eluted from the internal electrode, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing easy refilling through the inlet port opened toward the first region.
2Productivity
If refilling is performed during continuous sample measurement to maintain internal solution level, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to reference potential changes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the internal space with the surrounding wall, the patent enables refilling operations to be performed in the first region without disturbing the chemical stability in the second region, allowing continuous measurement to proceed uninterrupted while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The surrounding wall acts as an intermediary barrier that separates the refilling operation from the measurement zone. This intermediary structure allows the refilling process to occur simultaneously with continuous measurement without the new internal solution directly contacting the internal electrode, thus preventing reference potential changes.
3Measurement precision
If the surrounding wall height is increased to prevent mixing, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surrounding wall creates a simple yet effective segmentation of the internal space into two functional regions. This single structural element achieves the goal of preventing mixing while maintaining reference potential stability, without requiring complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The surrounding wall provides localized protection around the internal electrode by creating a distinct zone (second region) where the chemical environment remains stable. This local quality change ensures reference potential stability only where needed, around the internal electrode, while the rest of the device remains simple in structure.
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 design effectively suppresses errors in measured values by minimizing the mixing of new internal solution with silver ions, maintaining stable reference potential and reducing silver ion elution, thus ensuring accurate measurements even during continuous sample measurement.
Implementation Method 1
A silver/silver chloride electrode used as the reference electrode is one in which a silver chloride layer is formed by such as electrodeposition around a rod-shaped or plate-shaped core material made of silver
Implementation Method 2
when silver ions are eluted through cracks and/or the like present in the silver chloride layer, the surrounding silver chloride is reduced to release chloride ions into the internal solution
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a reference electrode capable of suppressing an error in a measured value even when refilling an internal solution during sample measurement, a reference electrode including: a casing adapted to store the internal solution in an internal space; and an internal electrode that rises from the bottom surface of the internal space and is immersed in the internal solution further includes: a surrounding wall that rises from the bottom surface so as to surround the side circumferential surface of the internal electrode; and an inlet port that is for refilling the internal solution in the casing. In addition, in the reference electrode, the surrounding wall is adapted such that a fore end surface thereof is opened and the height thereof is higher than the height of the internal electrode, and the inlet port is adapted to be opened toward a space outside the surrounding wall.