Variable Chimney Liquid Container for Analyzer Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid containers used in automatic analyzers face issues with rapid filling and liquid removal, as the existing designs result in liquid splashing, contamination, and inefficient filling due to low liquid permeability at the extraction chimney's lower end, leading to overflow and slow filling processes.
Innovation Solution
The liquid container features an adjustable liquid-permeable zone in the removal chimney, allowing for increased permeability during filling and reduced permeability during liquid removal, achieved through adjustable lateral openings or a pipe section that can be rotated or lifted relative to the container bottom, ensuring efficient filling and stable liquid levels during pipetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid-permeable zone has low liquid permeability to stabilize liquid level during pipetting, then liquid level stability is improved, but filling speed deteriorates and overflow risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-permeable zone's permeability is made dynamically adjustable through the variable chimney structure. The chimney can be positioned at different heights relative to the container bottom, changing the gap size and thus the liquid permeability. During filling, the chimney is positioned higher to allow rapid liquid exchange. During pipetting, the chimney is positioned lower to restrict liquid exchange and stabilize the liquid level in the dispensing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective opening cross-section of the liquid-permeable zone is changed as a variable parameter. By adjusting the chimney position, the gap between the chimney's lower end and the container bottom changes, directly modifying the liquid permeability parameter. This allows optimization of liquid flow characteristics for different operational phases: high permeability for filling, low permeability for stable dispensing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid-permeable zone has low liquid permeability to prevent contamination, then contamination is reduced, but filling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the liquid permeability of the permeable zone by changing the chimney position. During the filling phase, the chimney is positioned to maximize the gap, allowing rapid liquid flow that prevents overflow and reduces filling time. During the pipetting phase, the chimney is positioned to minimize the gap, restricting liquid flow to prevent splashing and contamination of the pipette tip.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the extraction chimney extends close to the container bottom to dampen liquid fluctuations, then liquid level stability is improved, but liquid exchange resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chimney position is dynamically adjusted to optimize the balance between liquid exchange and fluctuation damping. During filling, the chimney is positioned higher, creating a larger gap that reduces flow resistance and allows rapid liquid exchange. During pipetting, the chimney is positioned lower, creating a smaller gap that increases flow resistance to dampen liquid fluctuations and stabilize the liquid level in the dispensing chamber.
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 design enables rapid filling and high-throughput operation in automatic systems without overflowing, while maintaining stable liquid levels during pipetting, preventing contamination and ensuring efficient liquid exchange, thus supporting high-throughput operations in both filling and analysis processes.
Implementation Method 1
The extraction chimney (3, 3a) has a liquid-permeable zone (18) in its lower end region adjacent to the bottom (9) of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The container (1) has a tubular extraction flue (3a) extending in alignment to an upper opening, where the flue is provided for the liquid withdrawal by a liquid withdrawal unit that is inserted in the flue. A liquid permeable zone (18) is provided in a lower end region that is adjacent to a bottom (9) of the container. The extraction flue is adjustable between a definite total adjustment of minimum fluid transmissibility and a definite adjustment of larger liquid transmissibility with respect to the liquid transmissibility of the liquid permeable zone under disposition in the container. An independent claim is also included for a method for preparing a liquid container for the provision of the liquid in an automatic analyzing device.