Wireless Sensor Lid for Probe Fluid Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

On-site fluid testing faces challenges such as low accuracy, risk of contamination, and hygienic shortcomings, while traditional laboratory analysis is time-consuming and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A probe fluid analyzer system with a sensor-mounted lid element that generates radio transmission signals for external receivers, featuring an antenna and electronic circuitry for wireless communication, allowing for accurate and efficient analysis of chemical or biochemical properties in a container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If on-site testing is implemented, then analysis speed and autonomy are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidanalysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sealed cartridge as an intermediary component that contains the sensor and sample chamber. This cartridge acts as a mediator between the sample collection cup and the electronic reader, ensuring that the sensor only contacts the sample fluid within a controlled, sealed environment. The cartridge's sealing mechanism prevents contamination while enabling rapid on-site analysis, thus resolving the contradiction between analysis speed and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If on-site testing is implemented, then autonomy and speed are improved, but risk of contamination and hygienic shortcomings increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous analysis capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct components: a sample collection cup, a sealed cartridge containing the sensor and sample chamber, and an electronic reader. The cartridge acts as a self-contained, sterile unit that is sealed before sample analysis. This segmentation allows the sensitive sensor components to be protected from contamination while enabling autonomous on-site testing, thus resolving the contradiction between autonomous analysis capability and contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is sealed and discarded after one analysis. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization and cleaning procedures, ensuring hygienic conditions for each test while maintaining autonomous on-site operation. The disposable nature of the cartridge directly addresses the contamination risk while preserving the speed and autonomy benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If traditional laboratory analysis is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex laboratory mechanical analysis systems with a simplified electronic sensor-based measurement system. The sensor directly measures parameters such as electrical conductivity, impedance, or capacitance of the sample fluid, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory procedures. This substitution maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing analysis time and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If wireless communication components are added to the lid element, then ease of operation and data transmission are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless data transmissionVSAvoidantenna and circuitry integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna and electronic circuitry are merged with the lid element structure, forming an integrated assembly. The support member on the lid element serves as the mounting structure for both the sensor and the wireless communication components. This merging eliminates the need for separate housings or additional structural elements, thereby improving ease of operation through wireless data transmission while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables swift, accurate, and hygienic on-site analysis of probe fluids with reduced risk of contamination, improving user convenience and reducing costs compared to traditional laboratory methods.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is configured to determine measurement data of a probe fluid to be stored in the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

An electronic circuitry electrically connected or connectable to the sensor is configured to generate a radio transmission signal carrying information based on the measurement data for transmission to an external radio receiver. The probe fluid analyzer system includes an antenna for transmitting the radio transmission signal to an external radio receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3718632B1Probe fluid analyzer system
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 INFINEON TECH AUSTRIA AG
  • EP3718632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3718632B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3718632B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A probe fluid analyzer system includes a lid element for a container. A sensor is mounted or is mountable to the lid element. The sensor is configured to determine measurement data of a probe fluid to be stored in the container. An electronic circuitry electrically connected or connectable to the sensor is configured to generate a radio transmission signal carrying information based on the measurement data for transmission to an external radio receiver. The probe fluid analyzer system includes an antenna for transmitting the radio transmission signal to an external radio receiver.