Sensor Bottle Closure Detection for Biological Sample Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may inadvertently leave the closure of a biological sample measuring sensor bottle open, leading to degradation of the sensor due to environmental factors like humidity and temperature, as they may not notice the open state.

Innovation Solution

A biological sample measuring apparatus with a sensor bottle that includes an open/close detection section and a notifying section to alert the user if the closure is open, ensuring the sensor is kept closed to prevent degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the closure of the sensor bottle is opened to take out the biological sample measuring sensor, then the sensor can be accessed and used, but the sensor performance degrades due to environmental factors like humidity and temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor accessibilityVSAvoidsensor performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an open/close detection section that continuously monitors the closure state of the sensor bottle and provides feedback to the control section. When the closure is opened, the system detects this state change and can notify the user through the notifying section, enabling timely corrective action to protect sensor performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a notifying section that alerts users in advance when the closure is opened, allowing them to take preliminary protective actions before significant environmental damage occurs to the sensor. This proactive notification system prevents performance degradation by warning users to close the bottle or complete their sensor usage promptly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the closure is accidentally opened by impact or forgotten by the user, then no immediate harm occurs, but the user may not notice the open state leading to sensor degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidclosure state awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The open/close detection section provides continuous feedback about the closure state to the control section, which then communicates this information to the user through the notifying section. This feedback loop ensures users are always aware of whether the closure is open or closed, even if they forget or are unaware of the state change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection and notification system between the closure mechanism and the user. The open/close detection section acts as a mediator that translates the physical closure state into detectable signals, while the notifying section serves as another intermediary that communicates this information to the user in an understandable format, bridging the gap between the closure state and user awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If an open/close detection section and notifying section are added to monitor the closure state, then sensor performance is protected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor performance protectionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the open/close detection functionality into the existing control section of the biological sample measuring apparatus, allowing the control section to perform both its original control functions and the new detection function. The notifying section utilizes the existing display or notification mechanisms of the apparatus, making the protection system work with existing infrastructure rather than requiring entirely separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2738549B1Organism sample measurement device and organism sample measurement sensor housing device
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 PHC HLDG CORP
  • EP2738549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2738549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2738549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An organism sample measurement device is capable of suppressing the degradation of the performance of an organism sample measurement sensor by notifying that the lid of a housing part housing the organism sample measurement sensor is open. In this organism sample measurement device (1), a measurement unit (21) measures organism information using the organism sample measurement sensor mounted in a sensor mounting part. A first detection switch (13) detects that the lid of a sensor bottle is open. A display unit (2) notifies the measurement result of the organism information measured by the measurement unit (21), and on the basis of the result of the detection by the first detection switch (13), displays error information indicating that the lid is open.