DE102023114111A1 - ATR sensor base assembly with magnetically fixed porous sheath component - Google Patents

Abstract

An ATR sensor base assembly (10) comprising:
- a measuring range assembly (14) with
+ an ATR element (26) and
+ a mounting component (18) holding the ATR element (26), wherein the ATR element (26) has a measuring interface (26a) facing the external environment (U) of the measuring range assembly (14) and is received on the mounting component (18) in such a way that the measuring interface (26a) on the measuring range assembly (14) is exposed to the external environment (U) of the measuring range assembly (14),
- a porous separating component (22) which is designed for detachable arrangement on the measuring range assembly (14) so as to at least partially cover the measuring interface (26a) and
- a holding component (20) which is designed for detachable arrangement on the measuring range assembly (14) so as to at least partially cover the porous sheath component (22) and, in the arranged state, for exerting a loading force (B) acting towards the measuring range assembly (14) on the sheath component (22).
According to the invention, it is provided that the ATR sensor base arrangement (10) has a magnet arrangement (31) such that the loading force (B) exerted on the separating component (22) between the holding component (20) and the measuring range assembly (14) has at least one magnetic force component.

Description

The present invention relates to an ATR sensor base arrangement for forming an ATR sensor or for use in an ATR sensor which uses an evanescent field for the sensory determination of information. The abbreviation ATR known in this context stands for "Attenuated Total Reflection". The ATR sensor base arrangement comprises a measuring range assembly with an ATR element and a mounting component which holds the ATR element.

The ATR element has a measuring interface facing the outside environment of the measuring range assembly. During normal measuring operation, total reflection takes place at the measuring interface of the ATR element when electromagnetic radiation, usually infrared radiation, is transmitted through the ATR element, whereby the evanescent field used to gain information is formed in the outside environment of the measuring interface. The ATR element is therefore mounted on the mounting component in such a way that the measuring interface on the measuring range assembly is exposed to the outside environment of the measuring range assembly, so that a substance to be detected by a sensor can be fed into the evanescent field.

The ATR sensor base assembly further comprises a porous sheath member designed to be removably mounted on the measuring range assembly to at least partially cover the measuring interface.

The ATR sensor base assembly further comprises a retaining member designed to be detachably mounted on the measuring range assembly, at least partially covering the porous sheath member, and in the mounted state to exert a loading force on the sheath member, acting toward the measuring range assembly.

An ATR sensor with an ATR sensor base arrangement designed as described above is known from US 11,371,882 B2 The well-known ATR sensor is used to examine blood samples, whereby the porous sheath component in the US 11,371,882 B2 serves a purpose other than that of the porous separating member of the present invention: the porous separating member of the US 11,371,882 B2 serves to ensure, due to the capillary forces acting in the pores of the sheath component, that liquid blood components for a measurement are located in the area of the evanescent field forming on the outside of the measuring interface.

Another ATR sensor is from the US 2021/165123 A1 The physical properties and operating principles used by the measuring principle of attenuated total reflection to gain knowledge as well as their metrological use are very well described in the publication DE 103 16 514 A1 explained, the description of which is referred to here to explain the measuring principle.

Other ATR sensors are available, for example, from the US 7,593,107 B2 and from the EP 3 026 426 A1 known.

For hygienic reasons, the porous separating component is usually only used for a single measurement and then replaced. The measuring range assembly with the relatively expensive ATR element, on the other hand, is usually reused after a cleaning process.

It is an object of the present invention to further develop the ATR sensor base arrangement mentioned at the outset in such a way that the porous sheath component can be easily and safely arranged on the measuring range assembly and exchanged for another sheath component.

The present invention solves this problem by means of an ATR sensor base arrangement as mentioned above, which additionally has a magnet arrangement such that a loading force exerted on the separating component between the holding component and the measuring range assembly has at least one magnetic force component.

The terminology used in the present application is as follows: the measuring range assembly directly provides the measuring interface, on the outside of which the evanescent field required for information acquisition is generated during measurement operation. The measuring range assembly is part of the ATR sensor base arrangement, which adds further elements to the measuring range assembly, but does not necessarily have a source of electromagnetic radiation, a receiver for the radiation emitted by the source, and any control device, which are mandatory for an ATR sensor. The ATR sensor base arrangement can be supplemented to an ATR sensor by adding an electromagnetic radiation source, in particular an infrared source, and a radiation receiver. The ATR sensor can have its own control device in its sensor housing or can be controlled by an external control device.

The ATR sensor base assembly of the present application is, unless otherwise explicitly stated or evident from the content Unless otherwise stated, it is described in the ready-to-measure state.

It cannot be ruled out that, depending on the orientation of the ATR sensor base arrangement during measurement operation, gravity, i.e. in this case the weight of the holding component, also contributes to the load force. However, the magnetic force component is preferably the force component with the predominant magnitude, which allows the porous separating component to be clamped between the holding component and the measuring range assembly.

The magnetic force component which holds the holding component and the porous separating component arranged between the holding component and the measuring range assembly to the measuring range assembly is preferably so large in magnitude, by selecting the magnet arrangement used for this purpose, that the holding component is held to the measuring range assembly regardless of the orientation of the ATR sensor base arrangement in the earth's gravitational field.

In principle, within the scope of the invention, it can be envisaged that further loading means can be provided in order to generate a mechanical force component in addition to the magnetic force component in order to load the holding component towards the measuring range assembly. Further loading means can comprise at least one spring clip and/or at least one screw and/or locking formations on the holding component and measuring range assembly to form a lock that can be overcome.

However, since it is preferred to arrange an ATR sensor equipped with the ATR sensor base arrangement with an outer surface that is as smooth as possible in a sleeve that fits tightly against the outer surface of the sensor as a holder, and since it is also preferred to be able to change the porous sheath component on the ATR sensor base arrangement with as few manual movements as possible and particularly preferably without tool intervention and engagement formations provided for tool intervention, the magnet arrangement is preferably the only holding means on the ATR sensor base arrangement, which provides a loading force of the holding component in the direction of the measuring range assembly that is independent of the orientation of the ATR sensor base arrangement in the gravitational field.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the porous separating component of the present invention serves a different purpose than in the prior art mentioned. It should not be ruled out that the ATR sensor base arrangement discussed here is also used for the measurement of blood samples and in particular their liquid components. However, the ATR sensor base arrangement discussed here is preferably intended to be used in bioreactors or comparable technical devices. Unlike in the US 11,371,882 B2 the porous separating component of the present invention is not placed on the measuring interface of the ATR element already provided with a sample, but is arranged in a clean state on the measuring area assembly and only comes into contact with the substance to be detected by the evanescent field on the outside of the measuring interface after the ATR sensor equipped with the ATR sensor base arrangement has been arranged in a measuring space, preferably a reaction space of a biological or chemical reactor.

The reaction chambers mentioned generally contain fluids, particularly liquids, which contain a certain amount of suspended matter. The suspended matter can be starting products or reaction residues from biological and/or chemical reactions that take place in the fluid. If these suspended matter enter the evanescent field of the ATR sensor base arrangement, they can have a detrimental effect on the measurement. In the present invention, the porosity of the porous separating component is therefore selected such that interfering components contained in the substance to be detected by the sensor, which could have a detrimental effect on a measurement, are kept away from the measuring interface and components that are actually to be detected are allowed to pass through to the measuring interface.

A preferred embodiment of the porous separating component is a porous plastic membrane, for example made of polyethersulfone (hereinafter referred to as "PES"). For typical applications in the field of bio-fermentation or in biological reactors, the plastic membrane can have a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm and can have an average pore size of 0.1 µm to 0.5 µm, preferably from 0.15 µm to 0.25 µm, particularly preferably 0.2 µm. However, these are only exemplary values for a preferred application.

In principle, the magnet arrangement can have or be an electromagnet arrangement which can be supplied via a power supply of an electromagnetic radiation source, in particular an infrared radiation source, present in an ATR sensor equipped with the ATR sensor base arrangement discussed here. The electromagnet arrangement can also be controlled via a control device present in the ATR sensor, whereby control is also understood to mean switching on and off.

However, the ATR sensor base arrangement should be provided with the smallest possible construction volume. The active measuring area of an ATR sensor having the ATR sensor base arrangement is preferably cylindrical with a diameter of no more than 12 mm. In addition, electromagnets form heat sources, which can have undesirable side effects in an ATR sensor. Therefore, the use of at least one electromagnet as the magnet arrangement or a part thereof is basically conceivable within the scope of the present invention, but not preferred.

For reasons of reliable operation with low installation space requirements and advantageous independence from energy sources, a preferred development of the present invention provides that at least one component of the socket component and the holding component has or is a permanent magnet arrangement.

In order to achieve the highest possible load force exerted by the holding component on the measuring range assembly, at least one permanent magnet can be arranged both in the holding component and on the side of the measuring range assembly, for example in the holder component and/or in a sensor housing that accommodates the measuring range assembly, whereby the permanent magnets of the holding component and on the side of the measuring range assembly overlap in the ready-to-use state when the porous separating component arranged above the measuring interface is viewed orthogonally to the measuring interface. This makes it possible to ensure that each of the overlapping permanent magnets is in the magnetic field of the other permanent magnet. Poles of the overlapping permanent magnets of opposite denominators in the holding component on the one hand and on the side of the measuring range assembly on the other hand point towards each other to increase the load force.

However, permanent magnets, especially those made of rare earths, are expensive. It may therefore be sufficient for one component of the socket component and the holding component to have or be a permanent magnet arrangement and for the other component of the socket component and the holding component to be made at least in sections from soft magnetic material. The soft magnetic material is preferably ferromagnetic, but not permanently magnetized, but can also be paramagnetic. However, ferromagnetic soft magnetic materials usually achieve higher load forces in the same magnetic field of a permanent magnet.

In principle, it can be envisaged that a permanent magnet or two or more permanent magnets are inserted into the holding component and/or into the socket component and/or into the sensor housing. The component carrying the at least one permanent magnet can then have a locally strong magnetic field at the location where the at least one permanent magnet is arranged.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it can be envisaged that a component consisting of the socket component and the holding component is formed at least in sections from a material filled with magnetized or magnetizable particles. This is preferably the holding component, which can be designed as a disposable component since, for example, unlike the socket component, it is not permanently connected to the relatively expensive ATR element made from a waveguide material. Particularly preferably, the entire holding component or at least 80 percent by weight of the same can be formed from the material filled with magnetized or magnetizable particles.

The particle-filled material can advantageously be produced by molding, for example by injection molding, and can thus be produced in large quantities with sufficient shape and dimension accuracy. The particles are preferably mixed into the plastic mass in an unmagnetized state, then the holding component is molded and then, when the particles are fixed in the hardened holding component, magnetized. This ensures that the holding component or at least one of its magnetizable sections has the same polarization across a large number of holding components. A holding component made from a particle-filled material, preferably thermoplastic material, can thus interact with permanent magnets accommodated in the mounting component or in the sensor housing to increase the load force due to the repeatable polarization of the same.

In principle, the socket component can also be partially or completely formed from a material filled with magnetized or magnetizable particles.

The statements made regarding the holding component apply mutatis mutandis to the socket component.

The mounting component can basically be a separate component which is accommodated in a sensor housing of the ATR sensor base arrangement. Preferably, the mounting component is at least a section of a sensor housing of the ATR sensor base arrangement. If the sensor housing is made of a soft magnetic metal, the ATR sensor base assembly can be manufactured with an advantageously low number of components.

The socket component or the holding component can be formed in one piece or in multiple pieces. The holding component is preferably a one-piece, molded component, optionally with separate permanent magnets mounted thereon.

The loading force acting in the direction from the holding component to the measuring range assembly, which is a magnetic attraction force, is preferably sufficient to hold the porous separating component to the measuring range assembly and, if necessary, also to provide a certain degree of tightness in the gap between the holding component and the measuring range assembly. Under the effect of the loading force, the holding component can compress the pores of the porous separating component located between it and the measuring range assembly. Sections of the porous separating component that are not contacted by material of the holding component can remain uncompressed and fulfill their function as a separating formation.

In order to shield the separating component from the entry of substance from the measuring space into the separating component through the edge of the separating component pointing outwards between the holding component and the measuring range assembly, at least one component of the holding component and the measuring range assembly can have a sealing lip which at least partially covers the edge of the separating component. The at least one sealing lip on the holding component and the measuring range assembly can be designed to run all the way around the separating component, preferably in a closed manner. It can project radially outwards from the component carrying it in the direction of thickness and optionally also in relation to the direction of rotation. The sealing lip can be designed in one piece with the holding component and/or with the measuring range assembly, in particular with its mounting component or the sensor housing. Alternatively or additionally, a sealing component designed separately from the holding component and/or the measuring range assembly, preferably with a sealing lip designed as described above, can be arranged on the holding component and/or on the measuring range assembly.

However, the magnetically induced load force may not be sufficient to secure the holding component against displacement relative to the measuring range assembly parallel to the measuring interface without further measures. In reaction chambers of biological and chemical reactors, flows prevail which exert forces in changing, unpredictable directions on an ATR sensor arranged therein. In order to prevent the holding component from displacing relative to the measuring range assembly during a measurement of the ATR sensor, according to a preferred development of the present invention, it is provided that the holding component is in positive engagement with the socket component and/or the sensor housing in the ready-to-measure state of the ATR sensor base arrangement in such a way that the positive engagement restricts or prevents a relative movement between the holding component and the socket component parallel to the measuring interface.

Likewise preferably, the positive engagement does not prevent the holding component from lifting off the measuring range assembly in a direction transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the measuring interface. As already indicated above, the holding component, as part of a substantially rotationally symmetrical, preferably conical or particularly preferably cylindrical, ATR sensor, has a partially rotationally symmetrical, preferably partially conical or particularly preferably partially cylindrical shape on its outer surface facing away from the measuring range assembly. A loading surface of the holding component facing the measuring interface, with which it exerts the loading force on the porous separating component, is preferably at least largely, particularly preferably completely, flat.

Likewise, the measuring interface is preferably designed to be flat. The support surface of the measuring range assembly surrounding the measuring interface, which is opposite the load surface of the holding component, is preferably designed to be largely or completely flat.

The outer surface of the holding component and the outer surface of the section of the sensor housing that carries the measuring range assembly can, in the ready-to-measure state, add up to a total outer surface of the ATR sensor with, apart from joint gaps, measuring windows and the like, a substantially rotationally symmetrical, preferably conical or particularly preferably cylindrical shape. Preferably, the outer dimensions of the ATR sensor from its longitudinal end leading in an insertion direction into a holder, in particular the above-mentioned sleeve as the holder, to beyond the measuring range assembly do not exceed a diameter of 12 mm. This ensures that the ATR sensor can be inserted into a precisely fitting holder that encompasses the sensor in the held state by simply plugging it in so deeply that its measuring range is located in a measuring space as intended.

The angular range that the outer surface of the holding component occupies around the cone or cylinder axis on the entire outer surface is preferably less than 180°, particularly preferably less than 140°. In this preferred embodiment of the entire outer surface of the ATR sensor without the formation of the above-mentioned positive engagement, the currents prevailing in the measuring chamber can possibly cause a displacement of the holding component relative to the measuring range assembly parallel to the measuring interface, but not a force that is sufficient to lift the holding component off the measuring range assembly.

The positive engagement can be achieved by a component consisting of the holding component on the one hand and the socket component and/or the sensor housing on the other hand having a projection which, when ready for measurement, engages in a complementary recess on the other component. The recess runs at least along a lifting path along which the holding component was arranged on the measuring range assembly ready for measurement and can be lifted off again from this. If the projection and the recess are not arranged on the load surface of the holding component or on the support surface of the measuring range assembly, but on flank surfaces running transversely to it, the projection and the recess can protrude or be recessed parallel to the measuring interface.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, because it is easy to manufacture and intuitive to handle, the socket component and/or the sensor housing can have a recess into which the holding component is inserted when the ATR sensor base arrangement is ready for measurement. The holding component then essentially forms a positive locking formation, which can be brought into positive engagement with the socket component or sensor housing by inserting it into the recess on the socket component and/or on the sensor housing. The recess is preferably designed to be complementary to the edge section of the holding component inserted into it, so that when the ATR sensor base arrangement is ready for measurement, a gap with a preferably constant gap width runs around at least 75% of the circumferential length between the edge of the recess and the edge section of the holding component. The recess and the edge section of the holding component inserted into it are particularly preferably designed to be complementary according to the key-lock principle. It is also particularly preferred if an edge of the recess runs completely around the holding component inserted into the recess. If the gap width is then constant along the closed circuit, the positive connection can contribute to shielding the separating component from a substance by its outer edge, for example in the manner of a labyrinth, if the gap width is chosen accordingly. The edge of the recess preferably projects beyond the edge of the separating component in the measuring-ready state.

In principle, it is possible to place the porous separating component as a separate component on the measuring interface of the ATR element in preparation for a measuring process and to secure it by subsequently arranging the holding component on the porous separating component. A simpler and faster preparation of the ATR sensor base arrangement for a measuring process can advantageously be achieved by connecting the porous separating component and the holding component to one another as a prefabricated assembly. If the holding component is produced by injection molding, it is possible to inject the holding component directly onto the porous separating component. Alternatively, the porous separating component can be glued to the holding component, for example with silicone adhesive.

When the ATR sensor base arrangement is in the ready-to-measure state, the separating component is arranged between the measuring range assembly and the holding component in such a way that a section of the separating component arranged above the measuring interface is accessible from the outside environment. In this way, the measuring interface and thus the evanescent field formed at it during measuring operation can be reached by a substance that is to be sensed by an ATR sensor equipped with the ATR sensor base arrangement.

For the purpose of making the porous separating component accessible during a measuring process, the holding component can form a frame with an opening that passes through the holding component and is covered by the separating component, at least when the ATR sensor base arrangement is in the ready-to-measure state. The opening of the holding component, which forms a measuring window thereof, is then located in the region of the measuring interface, so that not only the porous separating component is accessible to fluid in the external environment of the ATR sensor base arrangement, but also the measuring interface where the relevant evanescent field is formed.

In order to provide a sufficient loading force, it can be provided that the holding component projects beyond the measuring interface in at least two opposite directions, with at least one magnet arrangement being provided in each of the areas of the holding component projecting beyond the measuring interface. The two projecting areas are preferably located on both sides of the aforementioned opening.

The present invention also relates to an ATR sensor with an ATR sensor base arrangement as explained and further developed above, and with an electromagnetic radiation source and a receiver sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation after passing through the ATR element.

• - Auflegen eines von einer zu erfassenden Substanz unbenetzten porösen Scheidebauteils auf eine Mess-Grenzfläche eines ATR-Elements, und
• - Sichern des porösen Scheidebauteils an der Mess-Grenzfläche durch Auflegen eines Haltebauteils auf eine Messbereichsbaugruppe, welche das ATR-Element und ein das ATR-Element fassendes Fassungsbauteil umfasst, wobei das Haltebauteil unter Beteiligung einer magnetischen Belastungskraft an der Messbereichsbaugruppe gehalten wird.

With the ATR sensor base assembly of the present invention, an advantageously fast and safe method for preparing an ATR sensor for use can be carried out, which comprises the following steps:

• - placing a porous separating component unwetted by a substance to be detected on a measuring interface of an ATR element, and
• - Securing the porous sheath member at the measuring interface by placing a holding member on a measuring range assembly comprising the ATR element and a holder member holding the ATR element, the holding member being held to the measuring range assembly with the involvement of a magnetic loading force.

In an advantageous further development, the method can comprise, after the securing step, a step of arranging the measuring interface with the porous separating component in a measuring space.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen ATR-Sensorbasisanordnung in einem messbetriebsbereiten Zustand,
• 2 die erste Ausführungsform von 1 in einer schematischen Explosionsdarstellung,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen ATR-Sensorbasisanordnung in einem messbetriebsbereiten Zustand, und
• 4 die zweite Ausführungsform von 3 in einer schematischen Explosionsdarstellung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an ATR sensor base arrangement according to the invention in a ready-to-measure state,
• 2 the first embodiment of 1 in a schematic exploded view,
• 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an ATR sensor base arrangement according to the invention in a ready-to-measure state, and
• 4 the second embodiment of 3 in a schematic exploded view.

In 1 a first embodiment of an ATR sensor base arrangement according to the invention is shown schematically in perspective view and designated by the reference numeral 10. In 2 The same embodiment is shown schematically in exploded view. The following description of the first embodiment refers expressly to both 1 and 2 In all figures, “U” designates an external environment surrounding the respective ATR sensor base arrangement.

The ATR sensor base assembly 10 comprises a cylindrical sensor housing 12 extending along a virtual cylinder axis Z, into which a measuring range assembly 14 (see 2 ) is inserted. The sensor housing 12 has a flattened portion 16 in the area where the measuring range assembly 14 is accommodated.

In 2 the observer of the measuring range assembly 14 looks at a mounting component 18 belonging to the measuring range assembly 14 with a substantially flat support surface 18a on which a holding component 20 in the 1 shown ready for measurement operation with the interposition of a porous separating component 22 in the form of a 0.1 mm thin membrane made of PES with a nominal pore size of 0.2 µm.

In the 1 and 2 In the first embodiment shown, the porous sheath component 22 is firmly connected to the holding component 22, for example by gluing.

The frame component 18, which in the first embodiment is made of ferromagnetic but non-magnetized metal, in particular steel, has a central window 24 through which the viewer can see 2 looking at the outside 26a1 of the measuring interface 26a of an ATR element 26.

The ATR element 26 is made of waveguide material that transmits electromagnetic radiation in the infrared range. On the inside of the measuring interface 26a, which is opposite the outside 26a1 of the measuring interface 26a, total reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation take place during a measurement process and thus during a transmission of the electromagnetic radiation, whereby an evanescent field is formed on the outside 26a1, in its immediate vicinity, which is influenced by a substance to be detected with the ATR measurement. The influences of the evanescent field formed by the transmitted electromagnetic radiation by the substance to be detected are reflected in the transmitted electromagnetic radiation itself and can be recognized and evaluated by comparing the transmitted radiation with a reference radiation, such as the originally emitted radiation. The functioning of ATR sensors is sufficiently well known.

In the illustrated first embodiment, the socket component 18 does not have to be completely made of soft magnetic steel. However, it is helpful if at least the support surface 18a is made of soft magnetic steel, so that the holding component 20 and a magnetic field emanating from it are arranged with the smallest possible gap distance from the support surface 18a when the ATR sensor base assembly 10 is ready for measurement. This allows the holding component 20 to exert as great an attraction as possible towards the measuring range assembly 14 for a given magnetic field emanating from the holding component 20. This attraction causes a load force B (see 1 ), which the holding component 20 exerts on the porous separating component 22 arranged between it and the support surface 18a of the holder component 18. The load force B is in 1 represented by four arrows orthogonal to the support surface 18a.

The underside of the holding component 20, which is not shown in the figures, is designed as the load surface mentioned in the introduction to the description and is just as flat as the porous separating component 22 which is firmly connected to the holding component 20.

To ensure a clear orientation of the holding component 20 in the 1 In the ready-to-measure state shown, the holder component 18 is inserted into a recess 28 formed in the sensor housing 12 or in its flattened portion 16. This recess or depression 28 has an edge 28a which has slightly larger clear widths than the length or width of the holding component 20. The holding component 20 can thus be inserted into the recess 28 without much effort, without having too much play in directions parallel to the support surface 18a.

The edge 28a of the recess 28 has a shape which is complementary to the lateral peripheral edge 20a of the holding component 20, so that when the holding component 20 is inserted into the recess 28, a joint formed between the edge 20a of the holding component 20 and the edge 28a of the recess 28 in the ready-to-measure state runs around the holding component 20 with an approximately constant joint width.

The depth of the recess 28, which is to be measured orthogonally to the support surface 18a, is smaller than the thickness D of the holding component 20, preferably even smaller than half the thickness D. As a result, the holding component 20 can be gripped sideways with a fingernail or a blade in the ready-to-use state in order to facilitate or enable the holding component 20 to be lifted off the support surface 18a. In the ready-to-use state, the holding component 20 can be lifted off in the lifting direction A against the loading force B magnetically loading the holding component 20 towards the measuring range assembly 14, provided that the magnetic attraction force caused by the holding component 20 in interaction with the holder component 18 is overcome. The lifting direction A is opposite to the direction of action of the loading force B.

To facilitate mechanical attack, an engagement groove 30 extending in the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the direction of the thickness D can be formed in the longitudinal section of the edge 20a.

In the first embodiment, the holding component 20 is made entirely from a thermoplastic filled with ferromagnetic particles 31 by injection molding. The holding component 20 has a practical plate shape with a substantially constant thickness D across the entire holding component 20. After the primary forming of the holding component 20, the ferromagnetic particles 31 were permanently magnetized in its hardened state by magnetization in a strong magnetic field.

The holding component 20 has a central opening 32 as a measuring window, which completely penetrates the holding component 20 in the thickness direction, so that the observer of the 1 and 2 through the opening 32 of the holding component 20 directly onto the porous partition component 22 spanning the opening 22. The porous partition component 22 preferably covers the entire underside of the holding component 20 so that no step is formed on the underside of the holding component 20.

In addition or as an alternative to mechanically levering out the holding component 20 in the lifting direction A out of the recess 28 and thus away from the measuring range assembly 14, the holding component 20 can be released by a release magnet 34 from the 1 shown position from the recess 28. The release magnet 34 has such a strong magnetic field that the holding component 20 adheres magnetically to the release magnet 34 rather than to the support surface 18a of the holder component 18, which is made of soft magnetic material.

Alternatively, the holder component 18 can be formed in one piece with the sensor housing 12 if the latter is made of ferromagnetic material. Instead of a recess 28, which is difficult to produce in the case of a one-piece design, the entire surface of the flattened portion 16 pointing in the lifting direction A can be designed as a preferably flat support surface 18a for supporting the porous separating component 22 and the holding component 20. The position of the holding component 20 can then be secured by a few soldered or glued or otherwise attached projections.

A according 1 A ready-to-use ATR sensor with the ATR sensor base arrangement 10 can be arranged in a measuring room with a virgin porous separating component 22 via a holder (not shown in the figures) and brought into contact there with a suspension to be measured. The porous separating component 22 keeps suspended matter in a carrier liquid away from the immediate outside 26a1 of the measuring interface 26a and thus from the evanescent field and ensures that only the carrier liquid of the suspension that is actually to be measured passes through the pores in the separating component 22 into the evanescent field and influences the measurement in the desired manner.

In the 3 and 4 a second embodiment of an ATR sensor base arrangement 110 according to the invention is shown. The ATR sensor base arrangement 110 of the second embodiment is described in detail below only insofar as it differs from the first embodiment, the description of which can otherwise also be used to explain the second embodiment.

Identical and functionally equivalent components and component sections as in the first embodiment are provided with the same reference numerals in the second embodiment, but increased by the number 100.

Again, 3 a ready-to-measure state and 4 a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of 3 .

How to do this especially in 4 recognizes, the porous separating component 122 is designed and provided as a separate component from the holding component 120, which is placed on the measuring interface 126a of the ATR element 126 in a separate placement process. The holding component 120 is then placed on the porous separating component 122 already arranged on the measuring range assembly 114. However, it should not be fundamentally ruled out that in the second embodiment the porous separating component 122 is also permanently connected to the underside of the holding component 120.

A further difference between the first and the second embodiment is that the holding component 120 is not formed from plastic filled with magnetizable or magnetized particles, but from any material, for example from thermoplastic and thus injection-moldable plastic.

In order to provide the magnetic loading force which loads the holding component 120 in the direction of the measuring range assembly 114 during measuring operation, a permanent magnet 136 is installed in the holding component 120 in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the opening 132, for example by being molded over or glued into a recess in the holding component 122.

Although in the second embodiment the socket component 118 could again be made of a soft magnetic material at least on its side forming the support surface 118a, an alternative possibility in the 3 and 4 shown that magnetic active components 138 can be inserted into the socket component 118, which in the 3 shown in the ready-to-measure state when viewed against the lifting direction A, are aligned with the permanent magnets 136 or are at least arranged so as to overlap with them. The magnetic active components 138 are arranged on both sides of the window 124 in the holder component 118. In this case, the holder component 118 can also be made of plastic.

In order to achieve a particularly high magnetic attraction force, the magnetic active components 138 can also be permanent magnets, wherein these are then arranged such that, in the ready-to-measure state, unlike poles of the permanent magnets 136 and the active components 138 are opposite one another.

Alternatively, the magnetic active components 138 can be soft magnetic active components which, in interaction with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets 136 in the holding component 122, cause a magnetic attraction force which loads the holding component 122 towards the measuring range assembly 114.

Although the socket component 118 could again be formed integrally with the sensor housing 112 in the flat 116, it is inserted as a separate component into a recess 128 in the flat 116 of the sensor housing 112. However, in the second embodiment, the depth of the recess 128 corresponds to the thickness of the socket component 118, so that the flat support surface 118a of the socket component 118 in the second embodiment shown is arranged flush with the flat surrounding surface of the flat 116.

The holding component 120 of the second embodiment is longer and also wider than the socket component 118 of the second embodiment. It protrudes beyond the socket component 118, especially in the longitudinal direction. The same applies to the porous sheath component 122, which also projects beyond the holder component 118.

As a means of fixing the position of the holding component 120 and the porous separating component 122, a recess 140a and 140b are formed on the front side in the flanks that axially delimit the flattened portion 116 with respect to the cylinder axis Z.

The recesses 140a and 140b are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror symmetry axis orthogonal to the cylinder axis Z, so that the following description of the recess 140a is sufficient.

The recess 140a extends parallel to the lifting direction A, so that above all the rigid holding component 120 can be placed on the measuring range assembly 114 against the lifting direction A.

The recess 140a is formed in the lifting direction A with two different shapes, namely a wider partial recess 140a1, which is located closer to the measuring interface 126a and which is associated with a projection 122a of the porous separating component 122 by complementary formation, and a narrower partial recess 140a2, which is located further away from the measuring interface 126a in the lifting direction A and which is associated with a projection 120b of the holding component 120 by complementary formation.

The porous separating component 122, which is designed as a thin and therefore flexible membrane, can be placed flat on the measuring range assembly 114 and thus on the measuring interface 126a with little deformation, wherein its projection 122a is received in the wider partial recess 140a1.

The projection 120b, which projects in the axial direction with respect to the cylinder axis Z and runs parallel to the lifting direction A, can only be moved in and against the lifting direction A in the narrower partial recess 140a2 acting as a groove, whereby an undesirable displacement of the holding component 120 orthogonal to the lifting direction is reliably prevented by positive locking.

As also in the 3 and 4 As can be seen, the sensor housing 112 is designed in several parts in the axial direction with respect to the cylinder axis Z.

In the embodiments shown, in order to avoid misalignments, the holding components 20 and 120 and the porous separating components 22 and 122 are also mirror-symmetrical with respect to a first mirror symmetry plane orthogonal to the cylinder axis Z and also mirror-symmetrical with respect to a second mirror symmetry plane orthogonal to the first mirror symmetry plane, containing the cylinder axis Z and orthogonal to the support surface 118a.

The first and second embodiments differ primarily in the different provision of a magnetic force emanating from the holding component. The shape and/or dimensions of the holding component and the measuring range assembly interacting with the holding component of one embodiment can be applied to the other embodiment and vice versa. In particular, the holding component of the first embodiment can also be designed with a shape that complements the shape of the sensor housing in the ready-to-measure state to form a rotating body, with the exception of unavoidable gaps.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 11,371,882 B2 [0005, 0017]
• US 2021/165123 A1 [0006]
• DE 103 16 514 A1 [0006]
• US 7,593,107 B2 [0007]
• EP 3 026 426 A1 [0007]

Claims (14)

ATR sensor base assembly (10; 110), comprising: - a measuring range assembly (14; 114) with + an ATR element (26; 126) and + a holder component (18; 118) holding the ATR element (26; 126), wherein the ATR element (26; 126) has a measuring interface (26a; 126a) facing the external environment (U) of the measuring range assembly (14; 114) and is received on the holder component (18; 118) in such a way that the measuring interface (26a; 126a) on the measuring range assembly (14; 114) is exposed to the external environment (U) of the measuring range assembly (14; 114), - a porous separating component (22; 122) which is used for detachable arrangement on the measuring range assembly (14; 114) which at least partially covers the measuring interface (26a; 126a) and - a holding component (20; 120) which is designed for a detachable arrangement on the measuring range assembly (14; 114) which at least partially covers the porous separating component (22; 122) and in the arranged state for exerting a loading force (B) acting towards the measuring range assembly (14; 114) on the separating component (22; 122), characterized in that the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) has a magnet arrangement (31; 136) such that the loading force (B) exerted on the separating component (22; 122) between the holding component (20; 120) and the measuring range assembly (14; 114) has at least one magnetic force component. ATR sensor base assembly (10; 110) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one component of the socket component (18; 118) and the holding component (20; 120) has or is a permanent magnet arrangement (31; 136). ATR sensor base assembly (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that one component of the socket component (18; 118) and the holding component (20; 120) has or is a permanent magnet arrangement (31; 136) and the other component of the socket component (18; 118) and the holding component (20; 120) is formed at least in sections from soft magnetic material. ATR sensor base assembly (10) according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that a component consisting of the socket component (18) and the holding component (20) is formed at least in sections from a material filled with magnetized or magnetizable particles (31). ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting component (18; 118) is at least a portion of a sensor housing (12; 112) of the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) or is received on a sensor housing (12; 112) of the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110). ATR sensor base assembly (10; 110) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the holding component (20; 120) is in positive engagement with the socket component (18; 118) and/or the sensor housing (12; 112) in the measuring-operational state of the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) in such a way that the positive engagement limits or prevents a relative movement between the holding component (20; 120) and the socket component (18; 118) parallel to the measuring interface (26a; 126a). ATR sensor base assembly (10) according to claim 6 , characterized in that the mounting component (18) and/or the sensor housing (12) has a recess (28) into which the holding component (20) is inserted when the ATR sensor base arrangement (10) is in the ready-to-measure state. ATR sensor base arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath component (22) and the holding component (20) are connected to one another as a prefabricated assembly. ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating component (22; 122) is arranged between the measuring range assembly (14; 114) and the holding component (20; 120) in the measuring-operational state of the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) in such a way that a section of the separating component (22; 122) arranged above the measuring interface (26a; 126a) is accessible from the external environment (U). ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component (20; 120), at least in the measuring-operational state of the ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110), forms a frame with an opening (32; 132) passing through the holding component (20; 120), which is covered by the porous separating component (22; 122). ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding component (20; 120) projects beyond the measuring interface (26a; 126a) in at least two opposite directions, wherein at least one magnet arrangement (31; 136) is provided in each of the regions of the holding component (20; 120) projecting beyond the measuring interface (26a; 126a). An ATR sensor comprising an ATR sensor base assembly (10; 110) according to any preceding claim, comprising an electromagnetic radiation source and a receiver sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation after passage through the ATR element (26; 126). Method for preparing an ATR sensor for measurement operation for use on an ATR sensor base arrangement (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - placing a porous separating component (22; 122) unwetted by a substance to be detected on a measuring interface (26a; 126a) of an ATR element (26; 126), and - securing the porous separating component (22; 122) on the measuring interface (26a; 126a) by placing a holding component (20; 120) on a measuring range assembly (14; 114) comprising the ATR element (26; 126) and a holder component (18; 118) holding the ATR element (26; 126), the holding component (20; 120) is held to the measuring range assembly (14; 114) with the participation of a magnetic loading force. procedure according to claim 13 , characterized in that after the step of securing it comprises a step of arranging the measuring interface (26a; 126a) with the porous separating component (22; 122) in a measuring space.

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