Ultrasonic Transducer Holder Protective Layer for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultrasonic analysis systems, the detachability of liquid sample containers from ultrasonic transducers leads to deterioration in analysis accuracy due to potential damage and wear on the transducers during repeated use.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic transducer holder with a protective layer that fixes the container via a contact medium, preventing direct contact between the transducer and container and reducing wear, while maintaining effective ultrasonic wave transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the container is made detachable from the ultrasonic transducer holder, then the ultrasonic transducer can be used repeatedly and productivity is improved, but analysis accuracy deteriorates due to damage and wear on the transducer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated use of ultrasonic transducerVSAvoidanalysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic transducer and the container. This protective layer absorbs mechanical stress and wear during attachment and detachment operations, preventing direct damage to the ultrasonic transducer. The protective layer maintains ultrasonic wave transmission quality, thereby preserving analysis accuracy while enabling repeated container replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the container is made detachable from the ultrasonic transducer holder, then ease of operation is improved for sample replacement, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage to the transducer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer detachabilityVSAvoidtransducer durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer serves as a mediator that protects the ultrasonic transducer from mechanical damage during repeated attachment and detachment of containers. It absorbs mechanical stress and prevents direct contact between the transducer and container, thereby maintaining transducer reliability while preserving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer is pre-installed on the ultrasonic transducer to provide cushioning protection before any mechanical contact with the container occurs. This beforehand protection prevents damage during routine attachment and detachment operations, ensuring long-term transducer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a protective layer is added to prevent transducer damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransducer protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is implemented as a thin film or flexible shell that can be easily applied to the ultrasonic transducer surface. This minimalistic approach provides comprehensive protection without significantly increasing device complexity. The thin film structure maintains ultrasonic wave transmission while offering mechanical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer is applied specifically to the regions of the ultrasonic transducer that are most susceptible to damage during container attachment and detachment. This localized protection approach provides targeted reliability improvement without adding complexity to the entire device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration suppresses deterioration of analysis accuracy by minimizing transducer damage and ensuring consistent ultrasonic wave application, even with repeated use and detachment of the container.

Implementation Method 1

a protective layer that is fixed to the ultrasonic transducer and transmits the ultrasonic wave to the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

a second surface that is a back surface of the first surface and is designed to fix the container via a contact medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12259315B2Ultrasonic transducer holder, container, and analysis system using same

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

An ultrasonic transducer holder, which is an embodiment, has a detachable container for containing a liquid sample, and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic transducer holder includes an ultrasonic transducer that emits an ultrasonic wave, and a protective layer that is fixed to the ultrasonic transducer and transmits the ultrasonic wave to the container. The protective layer includes a first surface that is a surface to which the ultrasonic transducer is fixed, and a second surface that is a back surface of the first surface and is designed to fix the container via a contact medium.