Sensor Cartridge Protrusion and Hermetic Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measurement apparatuses face challenges in downsizing sensors without complicating the manufacturing process, leading to increased costs and difficulty in performing droplet applying operations due to the complexity of hermetic closing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A measurement apparatus with a moving member that protrudes the sensor from the enclosure, allowing easy droplet application and incorporating a hermetic closing unit with a flexible or elastic component to seal the sensor cartridge, reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the sensor is downsized, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the droplet applying operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddroplet applying operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the sensor in the longitudinal direction to create a protruding tip that extends beyond the cartridge end face. This dimensional extension allows the droplet application area to be accessible while keeping the sensor body compact, thus maintaining ease of operation despite downsizing the overall sensor structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a hermetic closing mechanism is incorporated into the sensor cartridge, then the sensor protection against humidity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protection against humidityVSAvoidhermetic closing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hermetic closing mechanism is extracted from the sensor cartridge itself and relocated to the measurement apparatus. The apparatus enclosure now provides the hermetic sealing function when the cartridge is inserted, allowing the cartridge to remain simple while still achieving sensor protection against humidity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus enclosure serves multiple functions: it houses the measurement components, provides hermetic sealing for the sensor cartridge, and protects the sensor from humidity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate hermetic mechanism in the cartridge

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

Data Source

PatentEP2944949B1Measurement apparatus, and method for operating measurement apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2944949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2944949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2944949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measurement apparatus to measure a physical quantity related to a measurement target by use of a sensor, comprising: an apparatus enclosure; a control unit to be electrically connected to the sensor; and a moving member including a sensor holding unit to hold the sensor, the moving member being movable to protrude the sensor holding unit outwardly of the apparatus enclosure and further including a conductive member to electrically connect the sensor to the control unit.