Spring-Loaded Plunger Pump Mechanism for Stable Capillary Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capillary electrophoresis apparatuses face challenges in achieving high processing capacity due to fluctuations in polymer injection pressure, which are affected by motor torque variations and frictional forces, leading to inefficient polymer injection times and potential apparatus damage.
Innovation Solution
A pump mechanism utilizing a spring to control the plunger movement, combined with a detection system to ensure stable pressure and minimize deviations, eliminates the need for motor calibration and reduces injection time by using a low rigidity spring to maintain consistent pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If motor-driven plunger is used for polymer injection, then injection pressure can be generated, but pressure fluctuates due to motor torque variations and frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with a spring-based mechanical system. The spring plunger mechanism eliminates motor torque variations and frictional forces from the injection pressure generation, providing stable and fluctuation-free pressure throughout the injection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is self-regulating, automatically maintaining constant pressure during polymer injection without requiring external control systems. The spring's elastic properties inherently provide pressure stability, eliminating the need for complex pressure regulation mechanisms.
2Loss of time
If high pressure is applied for polymer injection, then injection time is reduced, but apparatus components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides inherent pressure buffering and cushioning. It maintains pressure within safe limits by design, preventing excessive pressure that could damage apparatus components while still achieving rapid injection through optimized spring force.
3Measurement precision
If motor calibration is performed for each motor, then pressure control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is self-regulating and inherently provides accurate pressure control without requiring external calibration procedures. Each spring is designed with specific elastic properties that automatically ensure consistent pressure delivery, eliminating the need for motor-specific calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical spring mechanisms for all polymer injection operations, replacing the need for individual motor calibration with a standardized, pre-configured spring system that provides consistent performance across all injections.
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
The solution enables stable and high-pressure polymer injection into capillary arrays, enhancing processing capacity and reducing injection time while being cost-effective by eliminating the need for pressure sensors and motor-specific calibration.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which gives force to the slider; the plunger is pushed by the action of the spring when the electrophoretic medium is injected from the plunger into the capillaries
Data Source
AI summary
To obtain a stable pressure to inject polymer into a capillary array in order to shorten the injection time and raise the processing capacity of the apparatus.Disclosed herein is an electrophoresis apparatus comprising one or more capillaries to be filled with an electrophoretic medium and a pump mechanism which can be connected to the capillaries for filling the capillaries with an electrophoretic medium. The pump mechanism comprises a plunger; a slider which is bonded to the plunger and moves together with the plunger; a spring which gives force to the slider; a cover which limits the range of displacement of the slider; and a linear motion system which is bonded to the cover and moves linearly, wherein the cover and the slider move as one body when the electrophoretic medium is taken to the plunger, and the plunger is pushed by the action of the spring when the electrophoretic medium is injected from the plunger into the capillaries.