Trapezoidal Interface Port for Portable Sampling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical analysis devices are large and limited to laboratory environments, restricting the ability to collect and analyze samples in the field, and there is a need for smaller, portable sample collection and transfer systems that can securely connect with analytical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A secure interface system with a male and female component configuration, featuring a trapezoidal protrusion and cavity design for proper orientation, along with fluid and electrical connectors, allowing for bidirectional fluid transfer and electrical signal transmission between sampling and analytical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical analysis devices are made large and laboratory-based, then analysis capability and reliability are improved, but portability and field deployment capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a portable sampling device for field collection and a laboratory-based analytical instrument for analysis. The interface connector enables these segmented components to work together, allowing the sampling device to be lightweight and portable while the analytical instrument provides robust analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface connector acts as an intermediary between the portable sampling device and the laboratory analytical instrument. It includes both fluid connectors for sample transfer and electrical connectors for signal transmission, enabling reliable communication and material transfer between the two systems despite their physical separation.
2Ease of operation
If sampling devices are made portable and hand-held, then field collection capability is improved, but connection stability and security with analytical instruments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The interface connector employs an asymmetric trapezoidal protrusion on the male connector that must fit into a corresponding cavity on the female connector. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the connectors can only be mated in the correct orientation, preventing misconnection and ensuring stable, secure attachment between the portable sampling device and the analytical instrument.
3Ease of operation
If interface connectors allow multiple orientations, then ease of connection is improved, but sample transfer reliability and electrical signal accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The trapezoidal protrusion and cavity design creates an asymmetric interface that accepts only one orientation. This ensures that fluid connectors and electrical connectors are properly aligned for reliable sample transfer and accurate signal transmission, while still being easy to connect by simply inserting the male connector into the female connector in the correct orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices for collecting and storing chemical samples and transferring those samples to analytical devices for analysis. In one implementation the device includes an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals. In another implementation, the device includes an analytical device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with a sampling device. In another implementation, the device includes a sampling device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with an analytical device.