Roller Contact Mechanism for Sample Fluid Testing Tape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample fluid testing devices face issues with high resistance in long conductive tracks connecting electrodes, interference from unused sensors, and damage to thin metal layers during contact sliding, leading to inaccurate and unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A sample fluid testing device with a test media tape featuring a roller with a contact zone that successively contacts each test media portion, allowing for electrical signal measurement without damaging the tape and eliminating the need for complex mechanisms, using a cylindrical roller with insulating material and electrically conducting annular zones to connect electrodes to a meter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long conductive tracks are used to connect electrodes on the test media tape, then electrical connection is achieved, but resistance increases leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the test media tape into discrete sensor fields with short conductive tracks, each connected to the meter sequentially. This segmentation eliminates the need for long continuous conductive tracks, reducing cumulative resistance and improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic contact system where the meter makes sequential electrical contact with different sensor fields on the moving test media tape. This dynamic approach allows each sensor field to be measured independently with minimal resistance, while the tape continues to move through the device.
2Productivity
If the test media tape is advanced through the device, then continuous measurement is enabled, but thin metal layers on the tape are damaged by contact sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible test media tape with thin metal conductive layers that can bend and flex as it moves through the device. The tape's flexibility allows it to withstand repeated bending and contact without damaging the delicate metal layers, enabling continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement system where the meter contacts the test media tape at different positions sequentially as the tape moves. This dynamic approach minimizes the duration and intensity of contact at any single point, preventing damage to the thin metal layers while maintaining high measurement throughput.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are connected in parallel on the reel, then all sensors can be measured, but interference occurs from unused sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the test media tape into discrete sensor fields that are measured sequentially rather than simultaneously. Each sensor field is electrically isolated from others during measurement, preventing signal interference while allowing all sensors to be utilized throughout the tape's length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic sequential measurement system where the meter contacts one sensor field at a time as the tape moves through the device. This temporal separation of measurements eliminates electrical interference between sensors while maintaining the ability to measure all sensor fields on the tape.
4Reliability
If complex contact mechanisms are used to establish electrical connection, then reliable contact is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the flexible test media tape itself as part of the contact mechanism. The tape's physical properties enable reliable electrical contact through simple pressure application during measurement, eliminating the need for complex contact mechanisms while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The test media tape performs multiple functions including carrying the sensor fields, providing the conductive path, and enabling its own advancement through the device. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional complex mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining reliable operation.
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 solution enables safe, easy, and accurate electrical contact between the meter and sensor fields, reducing signal interference and preventing damage to the test media tape, while allowing for efficient reuse of the test media tape by storing unused sections.
Implementation Method 1
The sample fluid testing device comprises at least one roller with a surface which contains at least one contact zone. The at least one roller is in rolling engagement with the test media tape with its surface in order to successively electrically contact the test media portions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a sample fluid testing device for analyzing a sample fluid, comprising a test media tape (1) comprising a tape (2) and a plurality of test media portions (3), each test media portion (3) containing a sensor field (7) for producing electrical signals, when the sample fluid is applied and at least two electrodes (4), the at least two electrodes (4) being positioned in the sensor field (7) and being electrically connected to at least two contact fields (5). The sample fluid testing device contains at least one roller with a surface (17), which contains at least one contact zone (14), the at least one roller (12, 13) being in rolling engagement with the test media tape (1) with its surface (17) in order to successively electrically contact the test media portions (3) via at least one contact field (5) with the at least one contact zone (14), the at least one contact zone (14) on the at least one roller (12, 13) being electrically connected to a meter for measuring the electrical signals.