Quick connection for liquid level sense-enabled metering probe

A capacitive liquid level detection assembly for use on a transfer arm in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment, the assembly comprising:

• a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) comprising a plurality of spring-loaded pins and capacitive liquid level detection circuitry;
• a probe comprising a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces;
• and
• a fitting configured to secure the probe within the transfer arm and thereby establish a connection between the capacitive liquid level detection PCA and the probe;
• wherein the underside portion of the chassis is copper painted and grounded to the capacitive liquid level detection PCA through a mounting screw;
• wherein the circuitry of the capacitive liquid level detection PCA is configured to detect a change in capacitance of the probe and send a level detection signal to a motor controller configured to control operation of the transfer arm, wherein the motor controller is coupled to the shaft.

A capacitive liquid level detection assembly for use on a transfer arm in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment, the assembly comprising:

• a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) comprising a plurality of spring-loaded pins and capacitive liquid level detection circuitry;
• a probe comprising a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces;
• a probe holder configured to clamp to a top portion of the probe and comprising a gap at a portion corresponding to the set of electrically isolated surfaces of the probe;
• a probe guide comprising a vertically-oriented bore through which the probe passes, wherein a surface of the probe guide perpendicular to the bore mounts to an underside portion of the transfer arm;
• and
• a fitting configured to secure the probe within the transfer arm and thereby establish a connection between the capacitive liquid level detection PCA and the probe;
• wherein the fitting is further configured to thread into the probe holder to clamp the probe into the probe holder;
• wherein the circuitry of the capacitive liquid level detection PCA is configured to detect a change in capacitance of the probe and send a level detection signal to a motor controller configured to control operation of the transfer arm.

A system for detecting liquid in a container in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment, the system comprising:

• a transfer arm comprising a horizontally-extending chassis and a shaft oriented substantially perpendicular to the chassis, the chassis and the shaft coupled to one another by a coupler at a rear portion of the transfer arm;
• a motor controller coupled to the shaft, the motor controller configured to control movement of the transfer arm;
• a capacitive liquid level detection assembly housed within an underside portion of the chassis, the capacitive liquid level detection assembly comprising:
• a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) comprising a plurality of spring-loaded pins;
• a probe comprising a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces;
• a fitting configured to secure the probe within the transfer arm and thereby establish a connection between the capacitive liquid level detection PCA and the probe;
• and
• wherein circuitry of the capacitive liquid level detection PCA is configured to detect a change in capacitance of the probe and send a level detection signal to the motor controller;
• wherein the underside portion of the chassis is copper painted and grounded to the capacitive liquid level detection PCA through a mounting screw.

A system for detecting liquid in a container in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment, the system comprising:

• a transfer arm comprising a horizontally-extending chassis and a shaft oriented substantially perpendicular to the chassis, the chassis and the shaft coupled to one another by a coupler at a rear portion of the transfer arm;
• a motor controller coupled to the shaft, the motor controller configured to control movement of the transfer arm;
• a capacitive liquid level detection assembly housed within an underside portion of the chassis, the capacitive liquid level detection assembly comprising:
• a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) comprising a plurality of spring-loaded pins;
• a probe comprising a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces;
• a probe holder configured to clamp to a top portion of the probe and comprising a gap at a portion corresponding to the set of electrically isolated surfaces of the probe;
• a probe guide comprising a vertically-oriented bore through which the probe passes, wherein a surface of the probe guide perpendicular to the bore mounts to an underside portion of the transfer arm;
• and
• a fitting configured to secure the probe within the transfer arm and thereby establish a connection between the capacitive liquid level detection PCA and the probe;
• wherein the fitting is further configured to thread into the probe holder to clamp the probe into the probe holder;
• wherein circuitry of the capacitive liquid level detection PCA is configured to detect a change in capacitance of the probe and send a level detection signal to the motor controller.