METERING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE METERING DEVICE

Abstract

A metering device for controlled receiving and/or dispensing of one or more media, includes one or more pump unit(s) and one or more control units having at least one signal input device configured to record one or more user input(s). The at least one signal input device includes one or more sensor(s) configured to detect the user input(s) and to convert the detected user input(s) into one or more measured value(s). One or more evaluation unit(s) are configured to control the pump unit(s) as a function of the measured value(s). The user input(s) is/are an action of force of a pressure change (p) effected by a user. In addition, a method for operating the metering device is provided.

Claims

1. A metering device for at least one of receiving and discharging a medium in a controlled manner, the metering device comprising: a pump unit; and a control unit including a signal input device and an evaluation unit, the signal input device including a sensor configured to detect a user input and to convert the user input into a measured value, the evaluation unit being configured to control the pump unit as a function of the measured value, and the user input being an action of a force of a pressure change caused by a user.

2. The metering device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure change is at least one of a change in an air pressure or a change in a pressure force at the signal input device.

3. The metering device according to claim 1, further comprising: a manipulation unit connected to the pump unit to permit the medium to be moved by the pump unit at least along sections of the manipulation unit.

4. The metering device according to claim 3, wherein the manipulation unit includes a media line and an end piece.

5. The metering device according to claim 4, wherein a capture region configured to capture a pipette tip is formed on the end piece.

6. The metering device according to claim 5, further comprising: a media reservoir connected fluidically to the manipulation unit to permit the medium to be transported between the end piece and the media reservoir by the pump unit.

7. The metering device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is assigned at least one of a parameter list and database entries containing specific, selectable operating parameters for different media.

8. A process of suctioning objects with a metering device, the process comprising: suctioning the objects onto a manipulation unit; and holding the objects on the manipulation unit.

9. The process of claim 8, further comprising: suctioning the objects into the manipulation unit; and holding the objects in the manipulation unit.

10. The process of claim 8, further comprising: mixing and metering a plurality of media with the metering device.

11. A method of operating a metering device, the method comprising: generating a user input, the user input being a pressure change at a signal input device of a control unit of the metering device; detecting the user input by a sensor of the signal input device; converting the user input into a measured value; generating a control command as a function of the measured value; actuating a pump unit by the control command; generating a pressure difference in an manipulation unit by the pump unit; and at least one of receiving or discharging a medium at least one of in or out of the manipulation unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of a base volume flow or a base volume pressure of the medium is set and generated in the manipulation unit to permit the at least one of the base volume flow or the base volume pressure to oppose capillary forces arising at least in sections of the manipulation unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a metering device according to a first exemplary embodiment the disclosure,

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the metering device according to a second exemplary embodiment the disclosure,

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the method according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0056] A metering device 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 2, a pump unit 6, and a manipulation unit 7.

[0057] The control unit 2 has a signal input device 4 with a sensor 3 configured to detect forces resulting from pressure changes p, and an evaluation unit 2.1. A signal output 5 of the control unit 2 is connected via a data cable to the pump unit 6, wherein the pump unit 6 can be actuated by a control command generated by the control unit 2 and output via the signal output 5.

[0058] The manipulation unit 7 is connected to the pump unit 6, and includes in this exemplary embodiment a media line 8 and an end piece 9.

[0059] A portion of the outer surface of the end piece 9 is a capture region 10 configured to capture and hold in a detachable manner (symbolized by the double arrow) a tip 11 in the form of a pipette tip, a cannula, or a capillary.

[0060] By the pump unit 6, a medium 12 (see FIG. 2) can be pumped through the media line 8, wherein a conveying direction of the medium 12 can be selected by the actuation of the pump unit 6 by the control unit 2.

[0061] In further exemplary embodiments of the metering device 1, the end piece 9 is provided with an ejector (not shown), which serves for stripping the tip 11 from the capture region 10 when it is no longer needed or when it is changed.

[0062] A hose 13 is attached at the signal input device 4, bearing a mouthpiece 14 on its free end.

[0063] A symbolically represented user 15 blows into the mouthpiece 14 to generate an overpressure at the signal input device 4. In contrast, if the user 15 applies suction to the mouthpiece 14, a pressure change p moves towards a negative pressure at the signal input device 4.

[0064] The pressure change is detected by the sensor 3 at the signal input device 4 as a measured value of a pressure force, and converted by the control unit 2 into a control command which is transmitted via the signal output 5 to the pump unit 6.

[0065] This conveys a medium 12 in the media line 8 in accordance with the received control command. If the medium 12 is pumped in the direction of the end piece 9, an overpressure is generated at the opening 9.1 of the endpiece 9. If, on the other hand, the medium 12 is suctioned in by the pump unit 6, a negative pressure is created at the opening 9.1. This can be used, for example, to hold an object 16 on or in the opening 9.1 and/or in the attached tip 11.

[0066] In further exemplary embodiments of the metering device 1, a plurality of control units 2, pump units 6, manipulation units 7 and/or media lines 8 is included.

[0067] In the second exemplary embodiment of the metering device 1 shown in FIG. 2, a media reservoir 17 in which the medium 12 is held is additionally included. The media reservoir 17 is connected via a feed line 18 to a valve block 20 which is installed between the pump unit 6 and the end piece 9 in the media line 8.

[0068] A user interface 21 of the control unit 2 is connected to a microphone 19.

[0069] The valve block 20 can also be actuated by the control unit 2. In a first mode, the valves of the valve block 20 are switched so that the metering device 1 is operated as described for FIG. 1.

[0070] In a further operating mode, the valve position is adjusted in such a manner that the medium 12 is pumped out of the media reservoir 17 via the feed line 18 into the valve block 20 and further to the end piece 9.

[0071] The medium 12 contained in the media reservoir 17 can be a system fluid which serves only to generate overpressure or underpressure at the opening 9.1 of the end piece 9, and is not discharged to the environment.

[0072] The media reservoir 17 can contain a medium 12 which is discharged to the environmentfor example, to a sample space located in front of the opening 9.1.

[0073] In a further exemplary embodiment, the medium 12 is suctioned from the sample space into the media reservoir 17.

[0074] When the pumping action of the pump unit 6 is reversed, medium 12 can be pumped from the end piece 9 to the media reservoir 17.

[0075] In further exemplary embodiments of the metering device 1, a pressure or force sensor is installed in the mouthpiece 14. If the user 15 bites on this pressure sensor, the biting force is detected as a measured value of a pressure change and transmitted to the signal input device 4. In addition, in such an exemplary embodiment, a microphone 19 can be included to detect one or more voice commands and to transmit to the control unit 2.

[0076] Voice commands can be used to select a transport direction of the medium 12, while the aspirated or discharged quantity or volumes of the medium 12 can be controlled according to the detected measured value of the pressure change, by way of example.

[0077] It is also possible that when a pressure change is detected, a preset amount of the medium 12 is received or discharged.

[0078] The sequence of the method in a possible exemplary embodiment is shown schematically in FIG. 3. The arrow symbolizes the sequence of the method steps. The flow parameters implemented in the metering device 1 are controlled in an analog manner.

[0079] The user input, which can be made by blowing and/or suctioning on the mouthpiece or by biting on a force sensor, is detected by a sensor 3. The sensor is, for example, a pressure sensor with an output range from 0 to 5 V as measured values.

[0080] In the course of a digital conversion, the detected and outputted measured values are translated into a value range from, for example, 0 to 2048. By translating the optionally analog measured value into a dimensionless digital value, the user input is prepared and scaled for further processing in a control unit. By mapping possibly different input variables of the sensors to a digital value of, for example, 11-bit data width (0 to 2048), the input values of the control are normalized, which makes it possible to use the same control algorithms and parameters for different system configurations.

[0081] An adaptation of the converted measured value takes place, for example, as a gain or attenuation depending on the pre-settings of the control unit and/or the individual settings of the user.

[0082] The measured value is interpreted as a function of the pre-settingsfor example, as a volume flow, volume, and/or pressure.

[0083] In the step of the value adjustment, control loops and detected current operating parameters are incorporated and, for example, volume and conveying speed are matched with operating data of the pump unitfor example, with regard to the stroke to be traveled and the stroke speed.

[0084] The control command is generated as a result of the preceding steps and output at the signal output 5.

[0085] In a further exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a triggered command execution is shown.

[0086] Again, user input is done by blowing and/or suctioning on the mouthpiece or by biting the force sensor. The sensory detection and the digital conversion is carried out as described for FIG. 3.

[0087] In the step of the evaluation, a verification is made to see whether a predetermined threshold value has been reached or exceeded by the detected and/or converted measured value.

[0088] The criterion is, for example, the converted measured value exceeding the threshold value. If the user has made the pressure change strongly enough, and it can therefore be ruled out that it is merely a fluctuation of the ambient pressurefor example, due to an air flow or a ventilation systemthe converted measured value is accepted and the control command is generated and output.

[0089] The content of the control command is predetermined. Only its generation and output are triggered by the user input. For example, due to the control command, a volume of 10 l is dispensed with a volume flow of 1 l/s, with a pressure surge.

[0090] Alternatively, a corresponding volume is aspirated by a vacuum surge.

[0091] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0092] 1 metering device [0093] 2 control unit [0094] 2.1 evaluation unit [0095] 3 sensor [0096] 4 signal input device [0097] 5 signal output [0098] 6 pump unit [0099] 7 manipulation unit [0100] 8 media line [0101] 9 end piece [0102] 9.1 opening (of the end piece) [0103] 10 capture region [0104] 11 tip [0105] 12 medium [0106] 13 tube [0107] 14 mouthpiece [0108] 15 user [0109] 16 object [0110] 17 media reservoir [0111] 18 feed line [0112] 19 microphone [0113] 20 valve block [0114] 21 user interface