Water Analysis Sensor Electrode Capillary Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small-diameter water analysis sensor electrodes face issues with gas bubbles becoming stuck between the sensor electrode membrane and the measuring electrode due to surface tension, leading to electrical connection interruptions, which are difficult to resolve without visual inspection.
Innovation Solution
A continuous open capillary channel on the inner wall of the sensor electrode housing, combined with a denser rod element that rests against the inner wall, utilizes capillary action and gravity to flush out gas bubbles, preventing them from becoming stuck, while ensuring chemical inertness to maintain measurement quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small-diameter sensor electrode housing is used, then the sensor electrode becomes more compact and easier to handle, but gas bubbles become stuck between the membrane and measuring electrode due to surface tension effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capillary channel that segments the internal space of the sensor electrode housing, creating a dedicated pathway for electrolyte solution to reach and flush trapped gas bubbles. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compact dimensions while ensuring reliable electrical connections by preventing gas bubble accumulation in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary channel acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the movement of electrolyte solution to trapped gas bubbles. Through capillary action, the channel mediates the interaction between the electrolyte solution and gas bubbles, enabling the flushing process that removes trapped bubbles and restores electrical connectivity without requiring manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor electrode housing is turned upside down during transport, then the gas bubble migrates against gravity into the area between the membrane and measuring electrode, but this positioning cannot be visually detected
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary channel enables the sensor electrode to self-correct the gas bubble positioning issue automatically. When the electrode is turned upside down during transport, the capillary channel self-activates through capillary action to flush the trapped gas bubble out of the critical area, eliminating the need for visual inspection or manual tapping to detect and resolve the problem.
3Reliability
If a rod element with higher density than electrolyte solution is inserted, then the rod element rests on the bottom and effectively flushes gas bubbles, but this adds structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas bubble removal function from manual operations (tapping or visual inspection) and implements it through a passive structural element - the rod element. By taking out the active intervention requirement and replacing it with a passive density-based positioning system, the patent simplifies the overall operation while maintaining effective gas bubble flushing.
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
Effectively prevents gas bubbles from becoming stuck, ensuring reliable electrical connections and maintaining measurement quality without visual checks, by using capillary action and adhesive forces to flush out bubbles, thus addressing the issue of stuck gas bubbles in small-diameter sensor electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
In the area of the capillary groove, the effect of surface tension is weakened to such an extent that gravity is usually sufficient to allow the electrolyte solution to flow under a gas bubble below. If a gas bubble is present in the lower area of the sensor electrode, i.e. in the area between the sensor electrode membrane and the measuring electrode, the gas bubble will be undermined by the electrolyte solution in the sensor electrode housing as a result of the capillary action in the capillary channel.
Implementation Method 2
Inside the sensor electrode housing, the rod element can rest solely by adhesion to the inner wall.
Implementation Method 3
The density of the material used for the rod element is greater than the density of the electrolyte solution, so that the rod element rests on the bottom of the sensor electrode housing and the gas bubble can thus be effectively flushed with the electrolyte solution.
Data Source
AI summary
The sensor electrode (10) has a closed sensor electrode housing (12) with an electrolyte solution (18), a measuring electrode (14) arranged in the electrolyte solution and a gas bubble (20) enclosed in the sensor electrode housing. A rigid rod element (22) of circular cross section is inserted into the interior of the sensor electrode housing, such that a continuous open capillary channel extends over the axial length of the sensor electrode housing on the inner wall (24) between the rod element and the inner wall.