Chemical Vapor Sampling Device with Retractable Fiber Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting chemical vapors, such as those used in industrial and military settings, lack efficient and reliable mechanisms for deploying and retracting chemical vapor sampling materials, leading to potential contamination and complexity in operation.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a housing with a barrel and extension mechanism that allows for the deployment and retraction of chemical vapor sampling fibers via an actuator, enabling environmentally sealed operation and easy handling, with features like sealing rings and a spring mechanism for reliable sampling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical vapor sampling material is deployed without an extension mechanism, then the device structure is simpler, but the sampling material cannot be reliably deployed and retracted, leading to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling fiber is nested within the barrel of the housing, with the extension mechanism integrated into the barrel structure. The fiber can be extended from and retracted into the barrel, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides reliable deployment while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically returns the sampling fiber to its retracted position within the barrel after extension, without requiring additional actuation. This self-service feature ensures reliable retraction and environmental sealing while minimizing the complexity of the actuation system.
2Productivity
If the sampling fiber is exposed during operation, then vapor sampling can be performed, but contamination risk increases and environmental sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling fiber transitions between two dynamic states: retracted within the sealed barrel (protected state) and extended through the opening (sampling state). This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve both environmental sealing during storage/transport and vapor sampling capability during operation, with the fiber moving between protected and exposed states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber is pre-positioned within the sealed barrel in a protected state before deployment. When sampling is required, the fiber is extended from the barrel opening, allowing vapor sampling to occur while the remainder of the fiber and the barrel interior remain sealed and protected from contamination.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of sampling material is required, then operation is simple, but ease of operation decreases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is extracted and positioned at the exterior of the housing, with the button accessible through the housing wall. This allows the user to actuate the extension and retraction of the sampling fiber without directly handling the fiber itself, improving ease of operation and reducing contamination risk while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The button actuator serves as an intermediary between the user and the sampling fiber. Instead of directly manipulating the fiber, the user presses the button which transmits force through the actuator mechanism to extend or retract the fiber. This intermediary approach simplifies user interaction while maintaining precise control over fiber deployment.
4Productivity
If the device is opened for sampling, then vapor detection can occur, but environmental sealing is lost and contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains dynamic environmental sealing through the retractable fiber design. The barrel remains sealed at all times, with the fiber extending through a controlled opening only when needed for sampling. This dynamic approach allows vapor detection to occur while the barrel interior and most of the fiber remain in a sealed, protected state, maintaining reliability of environmental sealing while enabling vapor detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments generally relate to a device for housing chemical vapour sampling material. The device comprises a housing comprising a barrel, the barrel being configured to hold at least one fibre of chemical vapour sampling material, the barrel having a first opening at a first end configured to deploy at least a portion of the at least one fibre of chemical vapour sampling material; an extension mechanism arranged to cause extension and retraction of the at least one fibre of chemical vapour sampling material from the housing via the first opening; the extension mechanism being operable by actuation of at least one actuator. Actuating the at least one actuator causes extension or retraction of the at least one fibre of the chemical vapour sampling material from the housing via the first opening.