Integrated Spectroscopy and Weighing Device for Particulate Samples

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring devices for particulate samples, such as grain, are limited to spectroscopic measurements, making it difficult to accurately determine properties like specific gravity, which requires additional and time-consuming measurements, resulting in increased material consumption, limited reproducibility, and impracticality in grain technology settings.

Innovation Solution

A combined measuring device integrating a spectroscopy device for spectroscopic property measurement and a weighing device to determine mass, allowing for simultaneous or consecutive measurements within the same sample chamber, enabling direct calculation of specific weight with enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional separate measuring devices are used for spectroscopic measurement and specific gravity measurement, then measurement versatility is improved, but measurement time and material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement versatilityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a spectroscopic measuring device and a specific gravity measuring device into a single integrated measuring device. The spectroscopic measurement unit and the specific gravity measurement unit share common components including the sample chamber, sample supply mechanism, and measurement chamber. This merging allows both types of measurements to be performed on the same sample simultaneously or sequentially without requiring sample transfer or additional preparation, thereby reducing measurement time and material consumption while maintaining measurement versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated measuring device performs multiple functions within a single system: spectroscopic analysis, specific gravity measurement, and sample handling. The sample chamber serves dual purposes for both measurement types, and the device can automatically switch between different measurement modes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and operations for each measurement type, significantly improving efficiency.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional separate measuring devices are used for spectroscopic measurement and specific gravity measurement, then measurement versatility is improved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement versatilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a spectroscopic measuring device and a specific gravity measuring device into a single integrated measuring device. The spectroscopic measurement unit and the specific gravity measurement unit share common components including the sample chamber, sample supply mechanism, and measurement chamber. This merging allows both types of measurements to be performed on the same sample simultaneously or sequentially without requiring sample transfer or additional preparation, thereby reducing measurement time and material consumption while maintaining measurement versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional separate measuring devices are used for spectroscopic measurement and specific gravity measurement, then measurement versatility is improved, but measurement reproducibility worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement versatilityVSAvoidmeasurement reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a spectroscopic measuring device and a specific gravity measuring device into a single integrated measuring device. The spectroscopic measurement unit and the specific gravity measurement unit share common components including the sample chamber, sample supply mechanism, and measurement chamber. This merging allows both types of measurements to be performed on the same sample simultaneously or sequentially without requiring sample transfer or additional preparation, thereby reducing measurement time and material consumption while maintaining measurement versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If conventional measuring tube method is used for specific gravity measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidspecific gravity measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a spectroscopic measuring device and a specific gravity measuring device into a single integrated measuring device. The spectroscopic measurement unit and the specific gravity measurement unit share common components including the sample chamber, sample supply mechanism, and measurement chamber. This merging allows both types of measurements to be performed on the same sample simultaneously or sequentially without requiring sample transfer or additional preparation, thereby reducing measurement time and material consumption while maintaining measurement versatility.

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

This approach significantly accelerates measurements, improves accuracy of specific gravity determination to +/- 0.2 kg/hl, and ensures reproducibility by avoiding errors from different sample parts and conventional measuring tube technology.

Implementation Method 1

a spectroscopy device with which the spectroscopic properties of the sample can be measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2148185B1Measuring device and method for measuring characteristics of a particulate sample
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 BRUINS HANS JOACHIM
  • EP2148185B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2148185B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The instrument (100) has a spectroscopy device (20) for measuring spectroscopic properties of a sample (10) with a multitude of particles. A weighing device (30) e.g. beam balance, measures a mass of the sample, where the spectroscopy device and the weighing device are arranged such that the sample is completely transferable from the spectroscopy device to the weighing device or vice versa. A transport wheel (40) transports the sample into a light path of the spectroscopy device, and from the spectroscopy device to a sample holder of the weighing device. An independent claim is also included for a method for measuring properties of a sample with a multitude of particles.