Chemical Sensor Calibration Apparatus Using Sensitivity Variation Curve Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chemical sensors, such as pH sensors, experience varying measurement sensitivity over time, leading to calibration sensitivity deviations and errors in pH measurement values, necessitating frequent calibration and complex maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A calibration apparatus that includes a conversion calculation unit, a calibration sensitivity extraction unit, a calibration history storage unit, and a sensitivity variation curve prediction unit, which predicts and continuously updates sensitivity correction values based on past calibration data to match the sensitivity variation curve to the newest calibration sensitivity, reducing deviations and the need for frequent calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration is performed at a predetermined time interval, then measurement precision is maintained at calibration points, but sensitivity deviation increases between calibration points

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH measurement precisionVSAvoidsensitivity deviation between calibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration at discrete time points and then uses the sensitivity variation curve to predict and compensate for sensitivity changes continuously between calibration points. This preliminary calibration data is stored and reused to maintain measurement precision without requiring frequent recalibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a sensitivity variation curve that copies the pattern of sensitivity changes observed during calibration. This curve is then applied to correct measurements taken between calibration points, effectively copying the calibration benefits to the entire measurement period rather than just at discrete calibration moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If calibration frequency is increased to reduce sensitivity deviation, then measurement precision improves, but maintenance complexity and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH measurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration preliminarily at extended intervals and stores the calibration data. The sensitivity variation curve then handles the continuous correction needs between calibrations, reducing the frequency of time-consuming calibration operations while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of repeatedly performing full calibration procedures, the system copies the sensitivity correction pattern from the variation curve to continuously correct measurements. This copying approach replaces multiple calibration operations with a single calibration plus continuous curve-based correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If discrete calibration sensitivity is used, then calibration process is simple, but sensitivity deviation increases over time between calibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration process simplicityVSAvoidsensitivity stability over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static discrete calibration sensitivity values to a dynamic sensitivity variation curve that continuously adapts to sensitivity changes. The curve dynamically adjusts corrections based on the elapsed time since calibration, maintaining reliability while preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system copies the temporal pattern of sensitivity variation from the calibration period into a reusable sensitivity variation curve. This copied pattern is then applied to correct measurements between calibrations, extending the effectiveness of simple discrete calibration to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2386851B1Calibration apparatus comprising a chemical sensor
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2386851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2386851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2386851B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A calibration apparatus (20) for a chemical sensor includes a conversion calculation unit (23) that acquires a measurement value of a calibration solution (22) that is measured by the chemical sensor (11) and calculates a conversion calculation output, a calibration sensitivity extraction unit (24) that receives the conversion calculation output and extracts a calibration sensitivity from the conversion calculation output, a calibration history storage unit (26) that stores past histories of the calibration sensitivity, and a sensitivity variation curve prediction unit (25) that predicts a sensitivity variation curve based on the past histories of the calibration sensitivity, the sensitivity variation curve prediction unit calculating a sensitivity correction value based on the sensitivity variation curve, the sensitivity variation curve prediction unit supplying the sensitivity correction value to a sensitivity correction part (13a) that performs a sensitivity correction in a measurement apparatus (10).