An immune analyzer oil box liquid level detection device and method

Abstract

An oil level detection device for an immunoassay analyzer includes a communicating vessel connected to the bottom of the oil container. The tail end of the communicating vessel is connected to the bottom of the oil container, while the head end is higher than the highest point of the oil level inside the container. An indicator is placed inside the communicating vessel, floating on the oil and moving within the communicating vessel as the oil level changes. The trajectory of the indicator moving within the communicating vessel with the oil level changes is projected onto at least one plane, passing only once at the indicator position on that plane when the indicator is at its lowest limit position. In this invention, the oil level detection device and method utilize the communicating vessel to draw out the oil level and place the indicator floating on the oil level within the communicating vessel. Image acquisition identifies the movement trajectory of the indicator within the communicating vessel, and a recognition area is set. The presence or absence of the indicator within the recognition area determines whether the oil level is at its lowest limit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of manufacturing technology of immunoassay analyzers and their auxiliary equipment, specifically to an immunoassay analyzer oil cartridge level detection device and detection method. Background Technology

[0002] The applicant's patent, published on October 27, 2023, relates to an immunoassay analyzer. In this analyzer, multiple drawers arranged side-by-side are located on the bottom plate inside the casing. These drawers are used to hold consumables for the immunoassay analyzer and can be pulled out to open or pushed back into the casing to close. This includes an oil container for storing the oil used in immunoassay testing. Figure 1 This is a diagram omitting the panel of the immunoassay analyzer; the location of the oil cartridge is roughly as shown in the image. The oil in the cartridge is drawn into the testing device by a tubing at the bottom of the cartridge for immunoassay detection. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the oil level in real time to ensure that an alert is issued when the oil level in the cartridge is low, prompting the user to replenish the oil or replace the cartridge.

[0003] Existing technologies utilize level sensors or weighing methods to detect oil levels. While this achieves real-time level monitoring, sensor-based detection has certain drawbacks. In addition to the oil drawer, the analyzer also contains drawers for components such as TIP heads and waste. If traditional sensor methods are used for all these, each drawer would require different sensors depending on the type of signal being detected. This would excessively occupy the internal wiring and space of the immunoassay analyzer. Given the increasing demands for integration and miniaturization in immunoassay analyzers, this approach clearly cannot meet the requirements for high integration. Therefore, a novel oil level detection method and device, distinct from existing technologies, is needed that balances integration and miniaturization.

[0004] A search revealed existing technical documents related to the detection of liquid level in the oil tank of an immunoassay analyzer. For example, the invention patent publication number "CN102445557A" entitled "A Fully Automated Immunoassay Analyzer and its Detection Method" discloses a fully automated immunoassay analyzer and its detection method, used in the field of instrument technology for immunoassay of biological samples. It primarily addresses the technical shortcomings of existing fully automated immunoassay analyzers, which rely on a liquid level resistance sensing principle to detect liquid storage volume. These shortcomings include poor reliability, inability to reliably and accurately determine the amount of working fluid used, and unreliable washing effect. The liquid storage component comprises three independent bottles: a cleaning fluid bottle, a washing fluid A bottle, and a washing fluid B bottle. Each of these bottles has an online weighing sensor at its bottom to monitor the weight of the working fluid in each bottle and provide the control system with signals indicating the amount and remaining quantity of working fluid in each bottle. This prior art document uses a weighing sensor to detect the liquid level, which has the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0005] For example, the invention patent publication document with publication number "CN103017869A" entitled "A Water Level Measurement System and Method Based on Digital Image Processing" discloses a water level measurement system and method based on digital image processing. The system includes a spherical buoy, a fixed rod, an image acquisition module, an image transmission module, and an image processing module. The method involves: the spherical buoy floating up and down along the fixed rod due to water level fluctuations; the positioning and orientation image acquisition module captures images of the water surface; and the image transmission module transmits the images to the image processing device. After acquiring the images, the image processing device first converts them to a YUV color processing model, then performs binarization processing, and then uses a binary image connected region growing labeling method to extract the spherical buoy object. Next, edge detection is used to extract the edges of the spherical buoy object, and the coordinates of the spherical buoy's center are calculated based on the extracted image edge pixel coordinates, thereby determining the current water level height. This prior art document utilizes digital image processing recognition to detect liquid level and uses a spherical buoy to indicate the water level height. Because the oil cartridge in the immunoassay analyzer is sealed and blocked by drawers on all sides, it is impossible to directly capture the specific image location of the marker inside.

[0006] For example, the utility model announcement document with publication number "CN218955861U" and titled "Device for Detecting Liquid Level Based on Visual Recognition Markers" discloses a device for detecting liquid level based on visual recognition markers, relating to the field of storage tank technology. It includes: a storage tank for holding liquid; a liquid level detection component, detachably installed at the inner bottom of the storage tank, used to form a protruding mark for measuring the remaining liquid level in the storage tank; and a camera, detachably installed in a bracket assembly, the bracket assembly being inserted into a socket on the inner side of a fixing block, the fixing block being fixed to the outer wall of the top of the storage tank. This device detects liquid level based on visual recognition markers. This prior art document detects liquid level by counting the number of visually recognized protruding marks, and similarly, it is not applicable to detecting the liquid level in oil containers. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an oil level detection device for an immunoassay analyzer, comprising a communicating vessel connected to the bottom of the oil container, wherein the tail end of the communicating vessel is connected to the bottom of the oil container, and the height of the head end is higher than the highest level of the oil in the oil container; there is a marker inside the communicating vessel, which floats on the oil inside the communicating vessel and can move inside the communicating vessel as the oil level changes; the trajectory of the marker moving inside the communicating vessel as the oil level changes is projected onto at least one plane only once when the marker is at the lower limit position on that plane.

[0008] Furthermore, the trajectory of the marker moving inside the communicating vessel as the oil level changes has a trajectory projection L1 on a projection plane P1 parallel to the top surface of the oil box, a trajectory projection L2 on a projection plane P2 parallel to the end surface of the oil box, and a trajectory projection L3 on a projection plane P3 parallel to the side surface of the oil box. When the marker moves to the lower limit of the oil level inside the communicating vessel as the oil level changes, the marker has a marked position on trajectory projection L1, trajectory projection L2, or trajectory projection L3. At least one of the trajectory projections L1, L2, and L3 passes through the marked position only once.

[0009] Furthermore, the trajectory of the marker moving inside the communicating vessel as the oil level changes is projected onto a projection plane P1 parallel to the top surface of the oil box, where the trajectory L1 passes through the marker position only once.

[0010] Furthermore, the communicating vessel includes a vertical segment and an arc segment that are connected. The vertical segment and the arc segment extend in a direction parallel to the side of the oil box. The tail end is located at the end of the arc segment and connects to the bottom of the oil box. A window is opened on the top cover of the oil box, through which the communicating vessel can be observed above the top cover of the oil box.

[0011] Furthermore, the diameter of the pipe connecting the tail end and the bottom of the oil box is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the marker.

[0012] Furthermore, the bottom of the oil box has a recess, and the tail end is connected to the side wall of the recess.

[0013] A method for detecting the liquid level in the oil cartridge of an immunoassay analyzer is also proposed, characterized by employing the aforementioned immunoassay analyzer oil cartridge liquid level detection device, and specifically including the following steps: S1. Select projection plane P1, P2, or P3 as the observation plane, and deploy a camera in the normal direction of the observation plane to acquire images containing communicating vessels. S2, define an identification area on the observation surface; S3, using a camera to acquire an image containing communicating vessels; S4, Obtain Image 2 by cropping Image 1 based on the identified region; S5. Determine whether the oil level is at the low limit based on whether the marker appears in Image 2.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S5, it is determined whether the oil level is at the low limit based on whether the area of ​​the marker appearing in image two exceeds a set value.

[0015] Furthermore, in step S5, it is determined whether the oil level is at the low limit based on the position of the marker in image two.

[0016] Further, in step S1, the projection surface P1 is selected as the observation surface, and the camera is deployed directly above the top surface of the oil box.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects: The oil level detection device and method of this invention utilize a communicating vessel to draw out the internal oil level, and a marker floating on the oil level is placed inside the communicating vessel. Image acquisition identifies the movement trajectory of the marker within the communicating vessel, and a recognition area is defined. Whether the oil level is at its low limit is detected based on whether the marker appears within the recognition area. This detection device and method can effectively identify the low oil level. The communicating vessel draws out the oil level so it is not obstructed by the drawer shell, allowing for effective acquisition of the marker's movement trajectory image. Furthermore, the use of visual observation and image recognition allows for the reuse of the same visual inspection device for the detection of multiple drawers, resulting in higher integration. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 : This is a schematic diagram showing the installation position of the oil cartridge in the immunoassay analyzer; Figure 2 : A side view structural diagram of the oil box after omitting the drawer side panel; Figure 3 : A schematic diagram of the structure from the top of the oil box; Figure 4 : This is a sectional view of the oil box; Figure 5 The communicating vessel diagram provided in this embodiment Figure 1 ; Figure 6 The communicating vessel diagram provided in this embodiment Figure 2 ; Figure 7 : Figure 2 The diagram shows the trajectory of the markers in three different projection directions for the communicating vessels provided in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] An immunoassay analyzer oil cartridge level detection device includes a communicating vessel 12 connected to the bottom of an oil cartridge 11. The tail end 121 of the communicating vessel 12 is connected to the bottom of the oil cartridge 11, and the height of the head end 122 is higher than the highest level of the oil in the oil cartridge 11. Inside the communicating vessel 12 is a marker 13, which floats on the oil inside the communicating vessel 12 and can move inside the communicating vessel 12 with changes in the oil level. The trajectory of the marker 13 moving inside the communicating vessel 12 with changes in the oil level is projected onto at least one plane only once when the marker 13 is at the lower limit position on that plane.

[0021] The purpose of the communicating vessel 12 is to guide the oil level so that the marker 13 placed inside is not obstructed by the outer shell of the oil box drawer during observation or image acquisition. The shape of the marker 13 can be determined according to actual needs; in this embodiment, a spherical shape is preferred. The outer diameter of the marker 13 is smaller than the diameter of the communicating vessel 12, allowing it to move freely within the communicating vessel 12 as the oil level changes. This structural design makes it possible to deploy image acquisition equipment inside the immunoassay analyzer, effectively acquiring images containing the communicating vessel 12 and the marker 13 as the basis for level identification.

[0022] The shape of the communicating vessel 12 can be varied, but through image acquisition, especially simple monocular image acquisition, the acquired image containing the communicating vessel 12 is a planar image. After acquiring multiple images consecutively, the movement trajectory of the marker 13 inside the communicating vessel 12, which moves with the liquid level, is actually a projection of its trajectory onto the plane of the image. Obviously, when the marker 13 moves with the liquid level to the low limit position, this position is a definite location on the trajectory projection. After image acquisition, it is necessary to accurately identify the position of the marker. A relatively effective and simple method is to set a planar image recognition area M, which is defined as a fixed planar area in the acquired image. When the actual marker appears in this area in the acquired image, it can be considered that the liquid level has reached the low limit.

[0023] Therefore, the shape of the communicating vessel 12 needs to meet a basic requirement: the trajectory of the marker 13 moving inside the communicating vessel 12 as the oil level changes must be projected onto at least one plane only once, passing through the marker position on that plane when the marker 13 is at the low limit position. Thus, if the marker appears in the acquired image, it indicates that the liquid level has reached the low limit. This compliant plane is the image acquisition plane, and obviously, if an image acquisition device is to be deployed, its viewing direction is the normal to this plane.

[0024] A simple diagram can be used to describe the projection of the movement trajectory of the aforementioned marker 13 and the specific location of the marker. For example... Figure 5 A and Figure 5 B. The communicating vessel 12 is designed as a simple tube tilted slightly upwards to the side. On a plane parallel to the bottom of the oil box, the trajectory of the marker 13 is a unidirectional straight line, as shown by the black dot in the figure. This straight line trajectory passes through the marker position only once. Therefore, by setting a recognition area M around the marker position and effectively recognizing the marker 13 appearing within this area, it indicates that the liquid level has also reached the low limit. And another... Figure 6 A and Figure 6B presents a counterexample: if the communicating vessel 12 is designed as a Z-shape, the trajectory of the marker 13 is a reciprocating straight line that only passes through the marker position twice. This is because, in the same projection direction, marker 13 coincides when it is at the lower limit position and when it is at another non-lower limit position. The marker 13 represented by the dashed line and the marker represented by the solid line in the figure coincide when the bottom surface of the oil box is used as the projection plane. If the marker appears in the recognition area M in the acquired image, it will be difficult to determine whether it is at the lower limit position, because marker 13 will also appear in the recognition area M when it is at the position represented by the dashed line, which could easily lead to a misjudgment. Solving this problem might require designing a complex algorithm to calculate the number of occurrences. However, this is related to the frequency of image acquisition and the rate of liquid level change, which would complicate the algorithm design. Obviously, the communicating vessel 12, which meets the aforementioned basic requirements, is simpler and more effective. It should be noted that the two examples mentioned above use a plane parallel to the bottom of the oil box as the observation surface. In fact, as long as there is such a plane that can meet the aforementioned trajectory requirements, the design of the communicating vessel 12 meets the basic requirements. It is only necessary to determine the observation angle of image acquisition as the normal of this plane.

[0025] In a more preferred embodiment, the trajectory of the marker 13 moving inside the communicating vessel 12 as the oil level changes has a trajectory projection L1 on a projection plane P1 parallel to the top surface of the oil box 11, a trajectory projection L2 on a projection plane P2 parallel to the end surface of the oil box 11, and a trajectory projection L3 on a projection plane P3 parallel to the side surface of the oil box 11. When the marker 13 moves to the lower limit of the oil level inside the communicating vessel 12 as the oil level changes, the marker 13 has a marking position K on the trajectory projection L1, trajectory projection L2, or trajectory projection L3. At least one of the trajectory projections L1, L2, and L3 passes through the marking position K only once.

[0026] Projection surfaces P1, P2, and P3 are actually planes parallel to the base plate, back plate, and side plate of the immunoassay analyzer, respectively. This is because if image acquisition equipment is to be deployed, it is preferable to fix it inside the immunoassay analyzer. Using the base plate, back plate, and side plate of the immunoassay analyzer as fixed surfaces for mounting the image acquisition equipment is obviously more reasonable and can make full use of the original structure of the immunoassay analyzer. When the communicating vessel 12 meets the above conditions, the image acquisition equipment can be selectively installed on the base plate, back plate, and side plate of the immunoassay analyzer, improving flexibility.

[0027] In a more preferred embodiment, the trajectory of the marker 13 moving inside the communicating vessel 12 as the oil level changes is projected onto a projection plane P1 parallel to the top surface of the oil container 11, where the trajectory L1 passes through the marker position K only once. The projection plane P1 is parallel to the base plate of the immunoassay analyzer, meaning the image acquisition device can be installed inside the cover of the immunoassay analyzer. When the cover is fully closed, the viewing angle of the image acquisition device is the normal to the projection plane P1. The communicating vessel 12 is preferred to satisfy the uniqueness of the trajectory on the projection plane P1 so that the image acquisition device can be installed inside the cover of the immunoassay analyzer. This allows for simultaneous image acquisition of the oil container drawer and other drawers, enabling multiple detection functions, including oil level detection, to be completed in a single image acquisition.

[0028] In a more preferred embodiment, the communicating vessel 12 includes a vertical segment 23 and an arc segment 24 that are connected. The vertical segment 23 and the arc segment 24 extend in directions parallel to the side of the oil container 11. The tail end 121 is located at the end of the arc segment 24 and connects to the bottom of the oil container 11. A window 15 is provided on the top cover of the oil container 11, through which the communicating vessel 12 can be observed from above the top cover of the oil container 11. The window 15 is provided so that the image acquisition device installed inside the cover of the immunoassay analyzer can observe the communicating vessel 12 and the internal marker 13. This communicating vessel 12 meets the above requirements, as detailed in [reference needed]. Figure 7 and Figure 4 .

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, in a more preferred embodiment, the diameter of the pipe connecting the tail end 121 and the bottom of the oil box 11 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the marker 13. This design ensures that the marker 13 does not enter the oil box and become unobservable.

[0030] In a more preferred embodiment, the bottom of the oil box 11 has a recess 14, and the tail end 121 is connected to the side wall of the recess 14. In this embodiment, the bottom of the oil box is inclined towards the recess 14. When the liquid level is at the low limit, the oil is already in the recess 14, so that there is not much residual liquid after the low limit warning, thus avoiding waste of oil.

[0031] An immunoassay analyzer oil cartridge level detection method, employing the aforementioned immunoassay analyzer oil cartridge level detection device, specifically includes the following steps: S1, Select projection plane P1, P2, or P3 as the observation plane, and deploy a camera in the normal direction of the observation plane to acquire images containing the communicating vessel 12; S2, define an identification region M on the observation surface; S3, using a camera to acquire an image containing the communicating vessel 12; S4, crop image one according to the recognition region M to obtain image two; S5. Determine whether the oil level is at the low limit based on whether the marker 13 appears in the second image.

[0032] After acquiring an image containing the communicating vessel 12, the image needs to be cropped to remove invalid images outside the recognition area M. If the marker 13 does not appear in the image, it indicates that the liquid level has not yet reached the low limit; otherwise, it indicates that the low limit has been reached. It should be noted that this recognition method is non-recognition and allows for a certain degree of error. The recognition area M is preferably a rectangular area, and its position should intersect with the projection of the marker 13 at the low limit position; otherwise, the recognition area is invalid. The size of the intersection should be as large as possible, ideally completely including the projection of the marker 13 at the low limit position, thus achieving higher recognition accuracy.

[0033] In a more preferred embodiment, in step S5, the oil level is determined to be at a low limit based on whether the area of ​​the marker 3 appearing in image two exceeds a set value. The set value of the area depends on the definition of the recognition area M and the allowable error range. In a typical embodiment, the recognition area M is a rectangular area that completely includes the projection of the marker 13 at the low limit position, and the set value of this area can be set to exceed 80%.

[0034] In an alternative implementation, in step S5, it is determined whether the oil level is at the lower limit based on the position of the marker 3 in the second image.

[0035] In a more preferred embodiment, in step S1, the projection surface P1 is selected as the observation surface, and the camera is deployed directly above the top surface of the oil container 11. As described in the previous embodiment, selecting the projection surface P1 as the observation surface allows the camera to be deployed inside the cover of the immunoassay analyzer directly above the top surface of the oil container 11, facilitating simultaneous observation of other drawers.

[0036] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0037] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An oil level detection device for an immunoassay analyzer, characterized in that: Includes a communicating vessel (12) connected to the bottom of the oil box (11), the tail end (121) of the communicating vessel (12) is connected to the bottom of the oil box (11), and the height of the head end (122) is higher than the highest level of the oil in the oil box (11); there is a marker (13) inside the communicating vessel (12), the marker (13) floats on the oil inside the communicating vessel (12) and can move inside the communicating vessel (12) as the oil level changes; The trajectory of the marker (13) moving inside the communicating vessel (12) as the oil level changes has a trajectory projection L1 on a projection plane P1 parallel to the top surface of the oil box (11), a trajectory projection L2 on a projection plane P2 parallel to the end surface of the oil box (11), and a trajectory projection L3 on a projection plane P3 parallel to the side surface of the oil box (11). When the marker (13) moves inside the communicating vessel (12) to the lower limit of the oil level as the oil level changes, the marker (13) has a marking position (K) on the trajectory projection L1, trajectory projection L2, or trajectory projection L3. The trajectory of the marker (13) moving inside the communicating vessel (12) as the oil level changes is projected onto the projection plane P1, which is parallel to the top surface of the oil box (11), and the trajectory L1 passes through the marker position (K) only once. The communicating vessel (12) includes a vertical segment (23) and an arc segment (24) that are connected. The vertical segment (23) and the arc segment (24) extend in a direction parallel to the side of the oil box (11). The tail end (121) is located at the end of the arc segment (24) and connected to the bottom of the oil box (11). A window (15) is opened on the top cover of the oil box (11). The communicating vessel (12) can be observed above the top cover of the oil box (11) through the window (15). The diameter of the pipe connecting the tail end (121) and the bottom of the oil box (11) is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the marker (13); The bottom of the oil box (11) has a recess (14), and the tail end (121) is connected to the side wall of the recess (14).

2. A method for detecting the liquid level in the oil cartridge of an immunoassay analyzer, characterized in that, The method employs the oil cartridge level detection device for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 1, and specifically includes the following steps: S1, select projection plane P1, projection plane P2, or projection plane P3 as the observation plane, and deploy a camera in the normal direction of the observation plane to acquire images containing the communicating vessel (12); S2, define an identification region (M) on the observation surface; S3, using a camera to acquire an image containing the communicating vessel (12); S4, crop image one according to the recognition area (M) to obtain image two; S5, determine whether the oil level is at the low limit based on whether the marker (13) appears in the second image.

3. The method for detecting the liquid level in the oil cartridge of an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In step S5, the oil level is determined to be at the low limit based on whether the area of ​​the marker (13) appearing in the second image exceeds a set value.

4. The method for detecting the liquid level in the oil cartridge of an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In step S5, it is determined whether the oil level is at the lower limit based on the position of the marker (13) in the second image.

5. The method for detecting the liquid level in the oil cartridge of an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 4, characterized in that: In step S1, select projection surface P1 as the observation surface and deploy the camera directly above the top surface of the oil box (11).

Images