Sample analysis device and valve fault detection method thereof

Abstract

A sample analyzer and a valve failure detection method for the sample analyzer are provided, since a control valve of the sample analyzer needs to be closed and opened according to a certain opening and closing time sequence in order to execute related functions when the sample analyzer is in operation. Through the opening and closing time sequence of the control valve involved in the sample analysis device and the electric signal change in the time period of the opening and closing time sequence, the fault detection of the control valve can be realized in the normal working process of the sample analysis device, and even the control valve with the fault can be specifically positioned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of in vitro diagnostics, and more specifically to a sample analysis device and a method for detecting valve failures in the sample analysis device. Background Technology

[0002] In vitro diagnostics (IVD) refers to a diagnostic method that obtains clinical diagnostic information by testing human samples (such as blood, body fluids, or tissues) outside the human body, thereby determining diseases or bodily functions. IVD equipment often involves the aspiration of liquids such as samples, reagents, and cleaning solutions, thus requiring the control of the fluid circuit components. A key component in these components is the control valve (e.g., a solenoid valve), whose reliability directly affects the safety of the entire device. However, in practice, malfunctions caused by control valve failures or misoperations occur frequently.

[0003] How to efficiently and conveniently detect the faults of control valves in in vitro diagnostic equipment, and even provide early warnings, is a problem worthy of research. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a sample analysis device and a valve fault detection method for the sample analysis device, which are described in detail below.

[0005] According to the first aspect, one embodiment provides a sample analysis device, including a sample analysis function module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller;

[0006] The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes a control valve, the control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, the control valve being controllable by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valve in the valve component to switch the open / closed state according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, the opening / closing sequence of the valve component being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening / closing state of the control valve in the valve component;

[0007] The power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly;

[0008] The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly;

[0009] The controller is used for:

[0010] Receive work instructions;

[0011] According to the work instructions, the sample analysis function module is controlled to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence;

[0012] The target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly is obtained through the electrical signal detection module.

[0013] The system determines whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal, including:

[0016] At least according to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing.

[0017] The target electrical signal is determined based on the characteristic signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target electrical signal includes the electrical signal detected by the electrical signal detection module at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0018] In one embodiment, the controller acquires a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, at least based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, including:

[0019] Based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, determine the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched, and the target closing timing of the target control valve being closed in chronological order; at least based on the target closing timing of the target control valve, determine the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly; or...

[0020] Based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, determine the target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched, and the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve being disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve, determine the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0021] In one embodiment, the controller acquires a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, including: determining a target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly; and acquiring a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly and the feature quantity of each target control valve, wherein the feature quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the switching of the opening and closing state of the target control valve;

[0022] In one embodiment, determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target closing sequence of the target control valve includes: determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve switching from an open state to a closed state;

[0023] In one embodiment, determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve includes: determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve switching from a closed state to an open state.

[0024] In one embodiment, the feature signal includes a target feature electrical signal curve that varies over time.

[0025] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether the target electrical signal is abnormal based on the characteristic signal, in order to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly, including:

[0026] The target control valves whose opening and closing states need to be switched in the valve assembly and the switching sequence of each target control valve are determined according to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0027] Based on the characteristic signal, determine whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal. If so, locate the control valve in the valve assembly that has malfunctioned based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

[0028] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the timing of the switching of the target control valve, including:

[0029] If the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the target control valve whose opening / closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve; and / or,

[0030] If the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the time sequence in which the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valves in which the valve assembly does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves that have failed.

[0031] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the timing of the switching of the target control valve, including:

[0032] The target characteristic electrical signal curve is matched with the curves corresponding to the electrical signal at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. If there is, the control valve that has failed in the valve assembly is located based on the time when the anomaly occurs and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

[0033] In one embodiment, the sample analysis device further includes a signal generation module, wherein the signal generator is used to superimpose an AC voltage signal of a preset waveform onto the power supply voltage of the power supply module;

[0034] The controller obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly through the electrical signal detection module, including: controlling the signal generation module to superimpose the AC voltage signal with a preset waveform on the power supply voltage during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, and obtaining the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal with the preset waveform according to the current signal detected by the current signal detection module.

[0035] The controller determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal, including: calculating the target inductance of the valve assembly based on the AC voltage signal and the AC current signal of the preset waveform; and determining whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target inductance.

[0036] In one embodiment, the controller controls the signal generation module to alternately perform a first action and a second action during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence. The first action is to superimpose the AC voltage of the preset waveform, and the second action is to stop superimposing the AC voltage of the preset waveform.

[0037] The controller calculates the AC current signal based on the current signals detected by the current signal detection module in adjacent first and second actions.

[0038] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target inductance, including:

[0039] At least based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of inductance over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing.

[0040] The target inductance is determined based on the characteristic inductance to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target inductance includes the inductance calculated at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0041] In one embodiment, the controller obtains the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, including: determining the target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly; and determining the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in inductance of the target control valve caused by the switching of the opening and closing state.

[0042] In one embodiment, the characteristic inductance includes a target characteristic inductance curve that varies over time.

[0043] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether the target inductance is abnormal based on the characteristic inductance, in order to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly, including:

[0044] The target control valves whose opening and closing states need to be switched in the valve assembly and the switching sequence of each target control valve are determined according to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0045] Based on the characteristic inductance, it is determined whether there is an abnormal target inductance. If so, the control valve that has malfunctioned in the valve assembly is located based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

[0046] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the timing of the switching of the target control valve, including:

[0047] If the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the target control valve whose opening / closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve; and / or,

[0048] If the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance is not the time corresponding to the time sequence in which the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valves whose opening and closing states do not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves that have failed.

[0049] In one embodiment, the controller determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the timing of the switching of the target control valve, including:

[0050] The target characteristic inductance curve is matched with the curves corresponding to the target inductance at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. If there is, the control valve that has failed in the valve assembly is located based on the time corresponding to the anomaly and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

[0051] In one embodiment, the working instructions include at least one of a test instruction, a cleaning instruction, and a maintenance instruction.

[0052] In one embodiment, when the working instruction received by the controller is the test instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of sample measurement at the sample detection site.

[0053] In one embodiment, when the working instruction received by the controller is the cleaning instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including performing the cleaning function.

[0054] In one embodiment, when the working instruction received by the controller is the maintenance instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device.

[0055] In one embodiment, the controller is further configured to, upon receiving a self-test command, respond to the self-test command by switching the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly according to a preset target opening and closing sequence, so as to traverse all control valves in the valve assembly, and obtain the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the preset target opening and closing sequence through the electrical signal detection module, and determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

[0056] In one embodiment, the controller further updates the characteristic quantity of the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly; wherein the qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly is working normally.

[0057] In one embodiment, the controller further stores the characteristic quantity of the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly; wherein the qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly is working normally.

[0058] The controller provides risk warnings for the target control valve based on its characteristic parameters.

[0059] In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes a number of control valves greater than one.

[0060] According to a second aspect, one embodiment provides a sample analysis device, including at least one sample analysis function module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller;

[0061] The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes a control valve, the control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, the control valve being controllable by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valve in the valve component to switch the open / closed state according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, the opening / closing sequence of the valve component being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening / closing state of the control valve in the valve component;

[0062] The power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly;

[0063] The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly;

[0064] The sample analysis device has a valve self-test mode and a valve online detection mode;

[0065] In the valve self-test mode: the controller determines whether each control valve in the valve assembly has malfunctioned by using the target electrical signal obtained by the electrical signal detection module;

[0066] In the valve online detection mode: the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, and obtains the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection. The controller then uses the target electrical signal obtained by the electrical signal detection module to determine the control valve that has malfunctioned in the target control valve.

[0067] In one embodiment, in response to a self-test command, the controller controls the valve to enter the valve self-test mode. In the valve self-test mode, the controller switches the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly according to a preset target opening and closing sequence to traverse all control valves in the valve assembly, and obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the preset target opening and closing sequence through the electrical signal detection module, and determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

[0068] In one embodiment, in response to a working instruction, the controller controls the valve to enter the online valve detection mode. In the online valve detection mode, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence. The target electrical signal of the valve assembly corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence is obtained through the electrical signal detection module, and the control valve in the target control valve that has failed is determined according to the target electrical signal.

[0069] In one embodiment, the preset target opening and closing sequence includes sequentially switching the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly such that only one control valve is switched at a time, and traversing all control valves in the valve assembly.

[0070] In one embodiment, the working instructions include at least one of a test instruction, a cleaning instruction, and a maintenance instruction;

[0071] When the working instruction received by the controller is the test instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of sample measurement at the sample detection site;

[0072] When the working instruction received by the controller is the cleaning instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the cleaning function;

[0073] When the working instruction received by the controller is the maintenance instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device.

[0074] In one embodiment, the electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

[0075] According to a third aspect, one embodiment provides a sample analysis device, including a sample analysis function module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller;

[0076] The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes multiple control valves, each control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, and the control valves can be controlled by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valves in the valve component to switch their open / closed states according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, and the opening / closing sequence of the valve component is used to indicate the timing in which the opening / closing states of the control valves in the valve component are switched;

[0077] The power supply module is used to supply power to the plurality of control valves of the valve assembly;

[0078] The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly;

[0079] When the valve assembly is in operation, the controller obtains the total electrical signal through the electrical signal detection module to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly.

[0080] In one embodiment, the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

[0081] According to a fourth aspect, one embodiment provides a valve fault detection method for a sample analysis device, the sample analysis device including a valve assembly, a power supply module, and an electrical signal detection module. The valve assembly includes a control valve having two opening and closing states, including an open state and a closed state. The control valve can be controlled by a controller to open and close to switch between different opening and closing states. When the sample analysis device performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the control valve in the valve assembly switches its opening and closing states according to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening and closing states of the control valve in the valve assembly. The power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly. The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly. The valve fault detection method includes:

[0082] Receive work instructions;

[0083] According to the work instructions, control the execution of one or more functions required for sample detection, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence;

[0084] The target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly is obtained through the electrical signal detection module.

[0085] The system determines whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

[0086] In one embodiment, the electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

[0087] In one embodiment, determining whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal includes:

[0088] At least according to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing.

[0089] The target electrical signal is determined based on the characteristic signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target electrical signal includes the electrical signal detected by the electrical signal detection module at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

[0090] According to the above embodiments of the sample analysis device and the valve fault detection method of the sample analysis device, since the control valve of the sample analysis device needs to close and open in a certain opening and closing sequence in order to perform related functions when the sample analysis device is working, by the opening and closing sequence of the control valve involved in the sample analysis device and the change of electrical signal during the time period of the opening and closing sequence, the fault detection of the control valve can be realized during the normal operation of the sample analysis device, and even the faulty control valve can be specifically located. Attached Figure Description

[0091] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sample analysis device according to one embodiment;

[0092] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sample analysis function module in one embodiment;

[0093] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample analysis function module in one embodiment;

[0094] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of power supply and control of a valve assembly in one embodiment;

[0095] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of powering multiple valve assemblies in one embodiment;

[0096] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the opening and closing sequence of a valve assembly in one embodiment;

[0097] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in current during the closing process of a control valve in one embodiment.

[0098] Figure 8 (a) is a schematic diagram of the target characteristic current signal curve. Figure 8 (b) is a schematic diagram comparing the target characteristic current signal curve and the target electrical signal, that is, the current signal at multiple moments. Figure 8 (c) is a schematic diagram comparing the target characteristic current signal curve and the target electrical signal, that is, the current signal at multiple times.

[0099] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sample analysis device according to one embodiment;

[0100] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a valve fault detection method according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0101] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0102] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0103] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0104] Some solutions involve using observation to detect control valve malfunctions: a conduction signal is sent to the control valve, and the control valve's coil is energized, enabling it to switch on and off. When the control valve is on, it will produce a clicking sound like a mechanical switch, thus indicating whether the control valve has performed an on / off action. Although this method is subjective, it is applicable when determining whether a single control valve is faulty. However, since there are many control valves in in vitro diagnostic equipment, each control valve needs to be checked manually when a fault occurs, which is too labor-intensive and requires the equipment to be stopped for subsequent fault location.

[0105] Some solutions utilize temperature detection to identify control valve malfunctions: the longer a control valve is energized, the more heat its coil generates. If the control valve is damaged, the overheating will be even more severe when its core cannot be attracted. Therefore, detecting the temperature of a control valve can confirm its operating status, especially in locating faulty valves. However, due to the wide variety of control valves, their operating temperatures are not uniform. Manual temperature testing is prone to significant errors. Using temperature sensors, especially in scenarios with a large number of control valves, such as in in vitro diagnostic equipment, requires not only a temperature sensor for each valve but also complex additional detection circuitry, increasing cost and equipment complexity. Furthermore, the temperature drift coefficients of coils made of different materials vary within the control valve, making the detection method unreliable.

[0106] Some solutions involve using a multimeter to measure the resistance of control valves to detect malfunctions. Under normal circumstances, the resistance of a control valve is consistent, but it increases when the valve body core is abnormal or the coil is aging. Therefore, measuring the valve body resistance with a multimeter can indicate a valve malfunction if the resistance is abnormal. However, since many control valves are used in in vitro diagnostic equipment, measuring the resistance of each valve individually with a multimeter during a malfunction would be extremely labor-intensive. Furthermore, the equipment would need to be shut down for subsequent fault location, and once the equipment is in use, limitations such as tooling make it difficult to use a multimeter for testing.

[0107] Some solutions utilize flow meters to detect control valve malfunctions: flow measurement is performed at the stage downstream of the control valve, and feedback is sent to the controller to form a closed-loop detection. This means a flow meter is used at the stage downstream of the liquid path controlled by the control valve to monitor the flow state of the fluid in the liquid path and output a switching signal, feeding the detection result back to the controller. This method can directly determine the operating status of the control valve, but it is prone to misjudgment when there is no liquid in the liquid path or when there are air bubbles in the liquid. Furthermore, when the flow rate is low, high accuracy of the flow meter is required, and when there are many control valves in the liquid path assembly, a considerable number of flow meters are also needed, resulting in high detection costs.

[0108] When the inventors were researching fault detection for control valves in in vitro diagnostic equipment, they believed that:

[0109] When a control valve is open and closed, the electrical signal (e.g., current signal) is different. Under normal circumstances, the electrical characteristics of the valve body, such as resistance, are consistent. However, when a fault occurs, its electrical characteristics will change significantly, which will further lead to changes in the electrical signal. Therefore, the state of the control valve can be detected by the electrical signal, and the state of the control valve can be determined by detecting the electrical signal. This can be done without changing the existing control loop of the control valve and is not affected by factors such as valve type and environment.

[0110] In addition, by collecting the total electrical signal of the control valves in the equipment—for example, the total current supplying power to the control valves in the equipment—the status of the control valves can be determined. This eliminates the need to configure a separate detection circuit or sensor for each control valve, reducing costs and being unrestricted by the number of valves.

[0111] In addition, when the equipment is working, its control valves need to close and open in a certain sequence to perform related functions. By combining the opening and closing sequence of the control valves involved in the equipment with the changes in electrical signals during the opening and closing sequence, fault detection of control valves can be achieved during the normal operation of the equipment, and even the faulty control valve can be specifically located.

[0112] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0113] Please refer to Figure 1 Some embodiments disclose a sample analysis device 100, which belongs to in vitro diagnostic equipment and is capable of performing tests on samples. For example, the sample analysis device 100 can perform one or more tests on the sample to obtain the corresponding test values. The sample may include blood, body fluids, or even saliva, depending on the type of sample analysis device 100 and the different tests performed. In some embodiments, the sample analysis device 100 can be any type of biochemical analysis device, blood analysis device, immunoassay device, and mass spectrometry analysis device.

[0114] In some embodiments, the sample analysis device 100 includes a sample analysis function module 10, a power supply module 20, an electrical signal detection module 30, and a controller 40, which are described in detail below.

[0115] In some embodiments, the sample analysis function module 10 is used to perform one or more functions required for testing the sample. The sample analysis function module 10 performing one or more functions required for testing the sample may include one or more of the following: sample dispensing function, i.e., sample aspiration and dispensing function; reagent dispensing function, i.e., reagent aspiration and dispensing function; cleaning function; function of measuring the sample and reagent mixture; maintenance function; even mixing function performed using the aspiration and dispensing of the sample needle; etc. Please refer to... Figure 2 or Figure 3 In some specific embodiments, the sample analysis function module 10 includes at least a sample aspiration component 11, a liquid path component 12, a sample carrying component 13, and a valve component 14; in addition, the sample analysis function module 10 may also include a reagent aspiration component 15.

[0116] In some examples, the aspiration component 11 is used to acquire samples, such as aspirating and discharging samples. The aspiration component 11 may have a dispensing structure for dispensing samples, such as a sample needle.

[0117] In some examples, the reagent aspiration assembly 15 is used to acquire samples, such as aspirating and discharging reagents. The reagent aspiration assembly 15 may have a dispensing structure for dispensing reagents, such as a reagent needle.

[0118] In some examples, the liquid path assembly 12 is connected to the sample suction assembly 11; this connection provides the suction assembly 11 with the power to draw and discharge samples; it also allows substances such as cleaning solutions to reach the suction assembly 11 for cleaning. In some examples, the liquid path assembly 12 is connected to the reagent suction assembly 15; this connection provides the reagent suction assembly 15 with the power to draw and discharge reagents; it also allows substances such as cleaning solutions to reach the suction assembly 11 for cleaning. Furthermore, when the sample analysis apparatus 100 includes a cleaning tank or similar structure, cleaning solutions can reach the cleaning tank via the liquid path assembly 12 for cleaning components such as the sample suction assembly 11 and / or the reagent suction assembly 15.

[0119] In some examples, the sample carrier component 13 is used to provide a site for sample detection; for example, the sample carrier component 13 may include a structure for providing a place for mixing or reacting samples and reagents.

[0120] In some examples, valve assembly 14 is connected to at least one of sample aspiration assembly 11, liquid path assembly 12, sample carrier assembly 13, and reagent aspiration assembly 15. See also [reference needed] for some examples. Figure 4 The valve assembly 14 includes control valves 01, such as multiple control valves 01, which may be solenoid valves. The control valves 01 have two opening and closing states, including an open state and a closed state. The control valves 01 can be controlled by the controller 40 to open and close to switch between different opening and closing states.

[0121] In some embodiments, the power supply module 20 is used to supply power to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14. For example, the power supply module 20 can process an external power source (e.g., mains power) and then supply power to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14. The processing includes, but is not limited to, voltage conversion, voltage regulation, and current regulation.

[0122] In some embodiments, the electrical signal detection module 30 is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14. In some examples, the electrical signal detection module 30 is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves 01 in the valve assembly 14. In one example, the electrical signal detection module 30 is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current, that is, the electrical signal detection module 30 is used to detect the current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14, which is the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14. Generally, from the perspective of the power supply route, the control valves 01 in the valve assembly 14 are connected in parallel. The electrical signal detection module 30 can sample the signal through a sampling resistor, and then amplify and convert the signal obtained by the sampling resistor to obtain the aforementioned electrical signal. In some embodiments, the electrical signal detection module 30 can collect the electrical signal at a certain frequency.

[0123] The control valves 01 in the sample analysis device 100 can be divided into one or more groups, which can be based on actual design requirements. For example, the control valves 01 involved in performing the sample dispensing function can be divided into one group, the control valves 01 involved in performing the reagent dispensing function can be divided into one group, the control valves 01 involved in performing the cleaning function can be divided into one group, and so on. Each group of control valves 01 belongs to a valve assembly 14, so the sample analysis device 100 can include one or more valve assemblies 14. Figure 5 The sample analysis device 100 includes three valve assemblies 14, referred to from top to bottom as the first valve assembly 14, the second valve assembly 14, and the third valve assembly 14, respectively. The power supply module 20 supplies power to each control valve 01 in the first valve assembly 14 via power supply line 1, to each control valve 01 in the second valve assembly 14 via power supply line 2, and to each control valve 01 in the third valve assembly 14 via power supply line 3. The electrical signal detection module 30 can detect the total electrical signal (e.g., total current) supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of each valve assembly 14. For example, the electrical signal detection module 30 can detect the total current on power supply line 1, the total current on power supply line 2, and the total current on power supply line 3. This can be achieved by time-division multiplexing of the electrical signal detection module 30, or by using multiple electrical signal detection modules 30.

[0124] In some examples, when the sample analysis function module 10 performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller 40 controls the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 to switch its opening and closing state according to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14, wherein the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 is used to indicate the timing in which the opening and closing state of the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is switched. Figure 6As an example of the opening and closing sequence, let's take valve assembly 14, which includes 7 control valves 01, as an example. For ease of distinction, let's number these 7 control valves from k1 to k7. Control valve 01 can be a normally closed valve (i.e., closed when not energized) or a normally open valve (i.e., open when not energized). Let's take control valves k1 to k7 as an example, where all control valves are normally open. In the opening and closing sequence shown, the opening and closing states of control valves k1 to k5 are involved. In contrast, control valves k6 and k7 do not require switching between open and closed states throughout the entire process. Control valve k2 is closed at 0.1s, control valve k5 is closed at 0.2s, control valves k3 and k4 are closed at 0.3s, control valve k1 is closed at 0.4s, then control valves k1 and k2 are opened at 3s, control valves k3 and k4 are opened at 3.3s, and control valve k5 is opened at 3.6s.

[0125] In some embodiments, when the valve assembly 14 is operating, the controller 40 acquires an electrical signal (which may be the total electrical signal of the valve assembly 14, such as the total current) through the electrical signal detection module 30 to determine whether there is a faulty control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14. Furthermore, the controller 40 combines the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 with the target electrical signal of the opening and closing sequence and the corresponding time period to pinpoint the specific faulty control valve 01. This invention eliminates the need for a separate detection circuit or sensor for each control valve, reducing costs and overcoming limitations on the number of valves.

[0126] In some embodiments, the sample analysis device 100 may have one or more valve fault detection modes, such as a valve self-test mode or an online valve detection mode; in addition, the sample analysis device 100 may also have a valve self-test mode and an online valve detection mode; these will be described in detail below.

[0127] In some embodiments, in valve self-test mode: the controller 40 determines whether each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is faulty by obtaining the target electrical signal from the electrical signal detection module 30. For example, in response to a self-test command, the controller 40 controls the entry into valve self-test mode; in valve self-test mode: the controller 40 switches the opening and closing state of each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 according to a preset target opening and closing sequence to traverse all control valves 01 in the valve assembly 14, and obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the preset target opening and closing sequence through the electrical signal detection module 30, and determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal. In some examples, the preset target opening and closing sequence includes sequentially switching the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly so that only one control valve is switched at a time, and traversing all control valves 01 in the valve assembly 14; let's still take... Figure 6 Taking the valve assembly 14 shown as an example, in the valve self-test mode, the preset opening and closing sequence can be to close control valves k1 to k2 in sequence.

[0128] The valve self-test mode can be used to specifically detect whether each control valve 01 has malfunctioned. The valve self-test mode can be activated after certain trigger conditions are met. The trigger conditions can be after a certain number of samples are tested, the trigger conditions can be when the sample analysis device 100 is powered on, the trigger conditions can be when the sample analysis device 100 is powered off, for example, when the controller 40 receives a power-off command, it first enters the valve self-test mode, and then performs the power-off after the test is completed; the trigger conditions can be performed periodically.

[0129] The above are some explanations of the valve self-test mode.

[0130] In some embodiments, in the valve online detection mode: the controller 40 controls the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, and obtains the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched when the sample analysis function module 10 performs one or more functions required for sample detection. The controller 40 determines the control valve 01 that has malfunctioned by using the target electrical signal obtained by the electrical signal detection module 30. In some examples, the controller 40 can locate the specific target control valve 01 that has malfunctioned by using the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 and the target electrical signal of the corresponding time period.

[0131] In some examples, in response to a work command, the controller 40 controls the valve to enter the online valve detection mode. In the online valve detection mode, the controller 40 controls the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the work command, thereby controlling the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 to switch between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. The target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 is obtained through the electrical signal detection module 30, and the control valve in the target control valve 01 that has malfunctioned is determined based on the target electrical signal.

[0132] Therefore, the controller 40 can receive working instructions and control the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instructions, so as to control the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence. The controller 40 obtains the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 through the electrical signal detection module 30, and determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 and the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence. In some examples, the controller 40 locates whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 and the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, that is, locates the faulty control valve 01.

[0133] During the normal operation of the sample analysis device 100 (e.g., the process of testing the sample), the valve assembly 14 is used. The valve online detection mode is the valve fault detection of the valve assembly 14 involved and used during the normal operation of the sample analysis device 100 without interrupting or interfering with the normal operation process of the sample analysis device 100.

[0134] In some embodiments, the work instructions include one or more of test instructions, cleaning instructions, and maintenance instructions.

[0135] For example, when the working instruction received by the controller 40 is a test instruction, the controller 40 controls the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of sample measurement at the sample detection site; further, it may also include: performing the function of reagent aspiration and discharge. The execution of these functions involves the use of the valve assembly 14, that is, switching the opening and closing state of the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14.

[0136] For example, when the controller 40 receives a cleaning instruction, the controller 40 controls the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, including cleaning functions, such as cleaning the sample needle, cleaning the reagent needle, etc. The cleaning process involves using the valve assembly 14, specifically switching the opening and closing states of the control valve 01 within the valve assembly 14.

[0137] For example, when the working instruction received by the controller 40 is a maintenance instruction, the controller 40 controls the sample analysis function module 10 to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device; maintenance work includes, for example, cleaning the sample needle, cleaning the reagent needle, cleaning the reaction cell or the reaction cup, etc.; in the process of performing the maintenance function, the valve assembly 14 is used, that is, the opening and closing state of the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is switched.

[0138] The above is a description of the valve fault detection modes of the sample analysis device 100.

[0139] The following explains how to determine whether a faulty control valve 01 exists in the valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal, and even to locate the faulty control valve 01. Understandably, the target electrical signal in this article refers to the electrical signal collected by the electrical signal detection module 30 during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14.

[0140] In some embodiments, the controller 40 at least obtains a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. The characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 switches between opening and closing states normally according to the target opening and closing sequence. The controller 40 determines whether the target electrical signal is abnormal based on the characteristic signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly 14. The target electrical signal includes electrical signals detected by the electrical signal detection module 30 at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14.

[0141] In some embodiments, the controller 40 may acquire the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14. This may include: determining the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14; and acquiring the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 includes the change in electrical signal caused by the switching of the opening and closing state of the target control valve 01.

[0142] In some examples, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14, and the target closing timing of the target control valve 01 in chronological order. At least based on the target closing timing of the target control valve 01, the controller 40 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14. For example, the controller 40 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target closing timing of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantities of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantities of the target control valves include the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve 01 switching from an open state to a closed state. For example, this method can be used for control valves 01 that are normally kept open (i.e., kept in an open state).

[0143] In some examples, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing states need to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14, and the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 being disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01, the controller 40 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14. For example, the controller 40 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantities of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantities of the target control valves include the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve 01 switching from a closed state to an open state. For example, this method can be used for control valves 01 that are normally kept closed (i.e., kept in a closed state).

[0144] In some embodiments, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in the valve assembly 14 and the switching sequence of each target control valve 01 based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. The controller 40 determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If there is no abnormality, it means that each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is normal and without fault. If there is an abnormality, the controller 40 locates the control valve in the valve assembly 14 that has malfunctioned based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening and closing sequence is identified as the control valve that has malfunctioned. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the non-target control valves in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves 01 that have malfunctioned.

[0145] As described above, the characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 switches between opening and closing states normally according to the target opening and closing sequence. The characteristic signal may include multiple target characteristic electrical signals, and there is a sequence or timing between the target characteristic electrical signals; the characteristic signal may also include a target characteristic electrical signal curve that changes over time.

[0146] Taking the detection of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 by the electrical signal detection module 30 as an example, the characteristic signal is used to represent the change of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. This can be represented by the current signal curve that changes over time. That is, the target characteristic electrical signal curve can be the change of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence.

[0147] Therefore, in some embodiments, the controller 40 matches the target characteristic electrical signal curve with the curves corresponding to the electrical signals at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. Understandably, a value greater than a certain threshold can be considered an anomaly, while a value less than a certain threshold can be ignored and considered not to be an anomaly. If an anomaly is found, the controller 40 locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time at which the difference between the two occurs and the timing of the switching of the target control valve 01. For example, if the time at which the abnormal target electrical signal occurs or corresponds to the timing of the switching of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 that needs to be switched in the opening / closing state at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve. As another example, if the time at which the abnormal target electrical signal occurs or corresponds to the time at which the target control valve is switched is not the timing of the switching of the target control valve, then the non-target control valve in the valve assembly 14 that does not need to be switched in the opening / closing state in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve 01.

[0148] Taking control valve 01 as an example, which is a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is an inductive device. Figure 7 This is an example of current change during the closing process of a solenoid valve. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents current. During the closing process of the solenoid valve, the inductor current cannot change abruptly at the beginning and rises slowly. When the solenoid valve starts to move, it generates back electromotive force, and the current decreases. When the solenoid valve moves to the boundary, it stops moving, and the current rises. The maximum value is the closing current. The closing current and the opening current of the solenoid valve are significantly different. Therefore, this can be reflected in the collected electrical signal (e.g., current signal), thereby determining whether the solenoid valve is properly closed or properly opened.

[0149] Let's still use Figure 6Taking valve assembly 14 as an example, and taking... Figure 6 The opening and closing sequence shown is used as the target opening and closing sequence for explanation; please refer to... Figure 8 The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents current; where Figure 8 (a) is Figure 6 The characteristic signal of the valve assembly 14 shown under the target opening and closing sequence—for example, the target characteristic current signal curve—indicates that the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 follows the target opening and closing sequence. Figure 6 The change of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 over time when the target opening and closing sequence is normally switching between opening and closing states. Figure 8 In (a), the four dashed lines correspond to the total current after the control valve k2 is closed at 0.1s—this is mainly caused by the current after the control valve k2 is closed; the total current after the control valve k5 is closed at 0.2s—this is caused by the current after the control valve k5 is closed plus the current after the control valve k2 is closed; the total current after the control valve k3 and control valve k4 are closed at 0.3s—this is caused by the current after the control valve k3 and control valve k4 are closed plus the current after the control valve k2 and control valve k5 are closed; and the total current after the control valve k1 is closed at 0.4s—this is caused by the current after the control valve k1 is closed plus the current after the control valves k2 to k5 are closed. Figure 8 In (b), the black curve is the target characteristic current signal curve, and the red curve is the target electrical signal, that is, the current signal at multiple times (i.e., the detection curve represented by the measured target electrical signal). It can be seen that the currents of the two curves are almost the same at the same time, so it can be considered that there is no abnormality, that is, all control valves 01 in valve assembly 14, including all target control valves 01, are working normally and no fault has occurred. Figure 8 In (b), the black curve is the target characteristic current signal curve, and the red curve is the target electrical signal, that is, the current signal at multiple moments (i.e., the detection curve represented by the measured target electrical signal). It can be seen that both are abnormal, and the abnormality occurs or corresponds to the moment when the control valve k5 needs to be closed. Therefore, the control valve k5 did not close normally and a fault occurred.

[0150] The above explains how to determine whether a faulty control valve 01 exists in valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal. The following explanation will continue using inductance detection as an example.

[0151] When the control valve is driven normally, a relatively small orthogonal wave is superimposed to measure the inductance. The inductance of the control valve in the first order is inversely proportional to the air gap of the control valve. Therefore, the displacement of the valve body or valve core of the control valve can be estimated by the inductance to determine whether the control valve is closed or opened normally. Micro-leakage can be detected by the inductance.

[0152] Therefore, please refer to Figure 9 In some embodiments, the sample analysis device 100 further includes a signal generation module 31, which is used to superimpose an AC voltage signal of a preset waveform onto the power supply voltage of the power supply module 20. In some embodiments, the controller 40 obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 through the electrical signal detection module 30, including: controlling the signal generation module 31 to superimpose the AC voltage signal of the preset waveform onto the power supply voltage during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, and obtaining the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal of the preset waveform based on the current signal detected by the current signal detection module 30; for example, the controller 40 controls the signal generation module 31 to alternately execute a first action and a second action during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, the first action being to superimpose the AC voltage of the preset waveform, and the second action being to stop superimposing the AC voltage of the preset waveform, and the controller 40 calculates the AC current signal based on the current signals detected by the current signal detection module 30 in adjacent first and second actions, for example, calculating the difference between the two is the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal of the preset waveform.

[0153] In some embodiments, the controller 40 determines whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal. This includes: the controller 40 calculates the target inductance of the valve assembly 14 based on the AC voltage signal of a preset waveform and the calculated AC current signal, and determines whether a faulty control valve 01 exists in the valve assembly 14 based on the target inductance. In some embodiments, the controller 40 at least obtains the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. The characteristic inductance is used to represent the change in inductance (referring to the total inductance of the valve assembly 14) over time when the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. The controller 40 determines whether the target inductance is abnormal based on the characteristic inductance to determine whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly 14. The target inductance includes the inductance calculated at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14.

[0154] In some embodiments, the controller 40 may obtain the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14. This may include: determining the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14; and obtaining the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 includes the change in inductance of the target control valve 01 caused by the switching of its opening and closing state.

[0155] In some examples, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14, and the target closing timing of the target control valve 01 being closed in chronological order. At least based on the target closing timing of the target control valve 01, the controller 40 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14. For example, the controller 40 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target closing timing of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantities of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantities of the target control valve include the change in inductance caused by the target control valve 01 switching from the open state to the closed state.

[0156] In some examples, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14, and the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 being disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01, the controller 40 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14. For example, the controller 40 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantities of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantities of the target control valves include the change in inductance caused by the target control valve 01 switching from a closed state to an open state.

[0157] In some embodiments, the controller 40 determines the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in the valve assembly 14 and the switching sequence of each target control valve 01 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14. The controller 40 determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If there is no abnormality, it means that each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is normal and without fault. If there is an abnormality, the controller 40 locates the control valve in the valve assembly 14 that has malfunctioned based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening and closing timing is identified as the control valve that has malfunctioned. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the non-target control valves in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing timing are identified as the control valves 01 that have malfunctioned.

[0158] As described above, the characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of inductance over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 switches between opening and closing states normally according to the target opening and closing sequence. The characteristic inductance may include multiple target characteristic inductances, and there is a sequence or timing between the target characteristic inductances; the characteristic inductance may also include a target characteristic inductance curve that changes over time.

[0159] Taking the detection of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 by the electrical signal detection module 30 as an example, the characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of the inductance (total inductance) of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence.

[0160] Therefore, in some embodiments, the controller 40 matches the target characteristic inductance curve with the curves corresponding to the target inductance at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. Understandably, a value greater than a certain threshold can be considered an anomaly, while a value less than a certain threshold can be ignored and considered not to be an anomaly. If an anomaly is found, the controller 40 locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time of occurrence of the anomaly or the corresponding time and the timing of the switching of the target control valve 01. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the timing of the switching of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 that needs to be switched in the opening and closing state at the corresponding time in the target opening and closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the timing of the switching of the target control valve, then the non-target control valve of the valve assembly 14 that does not need to be switched in the opening and closing state in the target opening and closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve 01.

[0161] The above explains how to further calculate the inductance based on the target electrical signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14.

[0162] Taking a solenoid valve as an example, under normal circumstances, the resistance of the solenoid valve is directly related to the number of turns, material, and wire diameter of the coil in the valve body. Therefore, valves of the same type have high repeatability in their conduction current and electrical characteristics. However, high temperature environments, long-term excitation, surge impacts, and vibration fatigue can cause coil aging, leading to a trend change in the DC resistance of the coil's enameled wire, and consequently, a trend change in its electrical characteristics. Therefore, the aforementioned characteristic quantities of control valve 01 can be preset or fixed. However, considering that control valve 01 may age during use, an initial value can be preset first, and then the characteristic quantities of control valve 01 can be continuously updated.

[0163] In some embodiments, the controller 40 also updates the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly 14. The qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 when it is working normally. That is, the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 involved can be updated by the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 when it is working normally. In this way, the characteristic signal or characteristic inductance can be updated accordingly, thereby making the fault judgment more accurate.

[0164] Furthermore, when the control valve 01 ages to a certain extent, its electrical characteristics will change significantly. Therefore, based on the continuously updated characteristic quantities of the control valve 01, it can be determined whether the control valve 01 has aged to a certain extent, whether there is a risk, and whether it needs to be replaced.

[0165] In some embodiments, the controller 40 also stores the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly 14. The qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 when it is working normally. That is, the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 involved can be stored by the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 when it is working normally. The controller 40 can give a risk warning to the target control valve based on the characteristic quantity of the target control valve.

[0166] Please refer to Figure 10 Some embodiments also disclose a valve fault detection method 101, which can be applied to the sample analysis device 100 described in any embodiment of this application; in some embodiments, the valve fault detection method 101 includes the following steps:

[0167] Step 110: Receive work instructions.

[0168] Step 120: Execute the corresponding function according to the work instruction. For example, step 120 controls the execution of one or more functions required for sample detection according to the work instruction, so as to control the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence.

[0169] In some embodiments, the work instructions include one or more of test instructions, cleaning instructions, and maintenance instructions.

[0170] For example, if the work instruction received in step 110 is a test instruction, step 120 controls the execution of one or more functions required for sample testing according to the work instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of measuring the sample at the sample testing site; further, it may also include: performing the function of reagent aspiration and discharge. The execution of these functions involves the use of valve assembly 14, that is, switching the opening and closing state of control valve 01 in valve assembly 14.

[0171] For example, if the work instruction received in step 110 is a cleaning instruction, step 120 controls the execution of one or more functions required for sample testing according to the work instruction, including performing cleaning functions, such as cleaning the sample needle, cleaning the reagent needle, etc. The process of performing the cleaning function involves using the valve assembly 14, that is, switching the opening and closing state of the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14.

[0172] For example, if the work instruction received in step 110 is a maintenance instruction, step 120 controls the execution of one or more functions required for sample detection according to the work instruction, including: performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device; maintenance work includes, for example, cleaning the sample needle, cleaning the reagent needle, cleaning the reaction cell or the reaction cup, etc.; in the process of performing the maintenance function, the valve assembly 14 is used, that is, the opening and closing state of the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is switched.

[0173] Step 130: Obtain the target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 through the electrical signal detection module 30.

[0174] Step 140: Determine whether there is a faulty control valve in valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal.

[0175] In some embodiments, step 140 locates whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 and the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, that is, locates the faulty control valve 01.

[0176] In some embodiments, step 140 at least obtains a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. The feature signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. Step 140 determines whether the target electrical signal is abnormal based on the feature signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly 14. The target electrical signal includes electrical signals detected by the electrical signal detection module 30 at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14.

[0177] In some embodiments, step 140, at least based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14, may include: determining the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14; and obtaining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 includes the change in electrical signal caused by the switching of the opening and closing state of the target control valve 01.

[0178] In some examples, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14, and the target closing sequence in which the target control valve 01 is closed in chronological order. At least based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve 01, the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 is determined. For example, step 140 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve 01 switching from the open state to the closed state.

[0179] In some examples, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14, and the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 being disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01, the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 is determined. For example, step 140 determines the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target disconnection timing of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve 01 switching from the closed state to the open state.

[0180] In some embodiments, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in the valve assembly 14 and the switching sequence of each target control valve 01 based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. Step 140 determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If not, it means that each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is normal and without fault. If so, the control valve in the valve assembly 14 that has malfunctioned is located based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening and closing sequence is identified as the control valve that has malfunctioned. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the non-target control valves in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves 01 that have malfunctioned.

[0181] As described above, the characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 switches between opening and closing states normally according to the target opening and closing sequence. The characteristic signal may include multiple target characteristic electrical signals, and there is a sequence or timing between the target characteristic electrical signals; the characteristic signal may also include a target characteristic electrical signal curve that changes over time.

[0182] Taking the detection of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 by the electrical signal detection module 30 as an example, the characteristic signal is used to represent the change of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. This can be represented by the current signal curve that changes over time. That is, the target characteristic electrical signal curve can be the change of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence.

[0183] Therefore, in some embodiments, step 140 matches the target feature electrical signal curve with the curves corresponding to the electrical signals at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. Understandably, a value greater than a certain threshold can be considered an anomaly, while a value less than a certain threshold can be ignored and considered not to be an anomaly. If there is an anomaly, the faulty control valve in the valve assembly is located based on the time when the anomaly occurs or corresponds to the time when the target control valve 01 is switched. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the time when the target control valve 01 is switched, then the target control valve 01 that needs to be switched in the open / closed state at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the time when the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valve in the valve assembly 14 that does not need to be switched in the open / closed state in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve 01.

[0184] When the control valve is driven normally, a relatively small orthogonal wave is superimposed to measure the inductance. The inductance of the control valve in the first order is inversely proportional to the air gap of the control valve. Therefore, the displacement of the valve body or valve core of the control valve can be estimated by the inductance to determine whether the control valve is closed or opened normally. Micro-leakage can be detected by the inductance.

[0185] Therefore, in some embodiments, step 130 obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 through the electrical signal detection module 30, including: the control signal generation module 31 superimposes an AC voltage signal of a preset waveform on the supply voltage during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, and obtains the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal of the preset waveform according to the current signal detected by the current signal detection module 30; for example, in step 130, the control signal generation module 31 alternately executes a first action and a second action during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, the first action is to superimpose the AC voltage of the preset waveform, and the second action is to stop superimposing the AC voltage of the preset waveform. Step 140 calculates the AC current signal according to the current signals detected by the current signal detection module 30 in adjacent first actions and second actions respectively, for example, the difference between the two is the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal of the preset waveform.

[0186] In some embodiments, step 140, which determines whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly 14 based on the target electrical signal, includes: calculating the target inductance of the valve assembly 14 based on the AC voltage signal of a preset waveform and the calculated AC current signal, and determining whether a faulty control valve 01 exists in the valve assembly 14 based on the target inductance. In some embodiments, step 140, at least based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14, obtains the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly. The characteristic inductance is used to represent the change in inductance (referring to the total inductance of the valve assembly 14) over time when the control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence. Step 140 determines whether the target inductance is abnormal based on the characteristic inductance to determine whether a faulty control valve exists in the valve assembly 14. The target inductance includes the inductance calculated at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14.

[0187] In some embodiments, step 140, at least based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14, may include: determining the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14; and obtaining the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly 14 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 includes the change in inductance of the target control valve 01 caused by the switching of the opening and closing state.

[0188] In some examples, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14, and the target closing sequence in which the target control valve 01 is closed in chronological order. At least based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve 01, the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 is determined. For example, step 140 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in inductance caused by the target control valve 01 switching from the open state to the closed state.

[0189] In some examples, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 whose open / closed state needs to be switched based on the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14, and the target disconnection sequence in which the target control valve 01 is disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve 01, the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 is determined. For example, step 140 determines the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening / closing sequence of the valve assembly 14 based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve 01 and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve 01. The characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in inductance caused by the target control valve 01 switching from the closed state to the open state.

[0190] In some embodiments, step 140 determines the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in the valve assembly 14 and the switching sequence of each target control valve 01 based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly 14. Step 140 determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If there is no abnormality, it means that each control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14 is normal and without fault. If there is an abnormality, the control valve in the valve assembly 14 that has malfunctioned is located based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve 01, then the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening and closing sequence is identified as the control valve that has malfunctioned. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the non-target control valves in the valve assembly 14 whose opening and closing state does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves 01 that have malfunctioned.

[0191] As described above, the characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of inductance over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 switches between opening and closing states normally according to the target opening and closing sequence. The characteristic inductance may include multiple target characteristic inductances, and there is a sequence or timing between the target characteristic inductances; the characteristic inductance may also include a target characteristic inductance curve that changes over time.

[0192] Taking the detection of the total current supplied by the power supply module 20 to the control valve 01 of the valve assembly 14 by the electrical signal detection module 30 as an example, the characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of the inductance (total inductance) of the valve assembly 14 over time when the control valve in the valve assembly 14 normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing sequence.

[0193] Therefore, in some embodiments, step 140 matches the target characteristic inductance curve with the curves corresponding to the target inductance at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. Understandably, a value greater than a certain threshold can be considered an anomaly, while a value less than a certain threshold can be ignored and considered not to be an anomaly. If there is an anomaly, the faulty control valve in the valve assembly is located based on the time when the anomaly occurs or corresponds to the time when the target control valve 01 is switched. For example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the time when the target control valve 01 is switched, then the target control valve 01 that needs to be switched in the open / closed state at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve. For another example, if the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the time when the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valve in the valve assembly 14 that does not need to be switched in the open / closed state in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve 01.

[0194] The above explains how to further calculate the inductance based on the target electrical signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve 01 in the valve assembly 14.

[0195] In some embodiments, the valve fault detection method 101 may further include a step: updating the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly 14, wherein the qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly 14 is working normally; that is, the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 involved can be updated by the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly 14 is working normally, so that the characteristic signal or characteristic inductance can be updated accordingly, thereby making the fault judgment more accurate.

[0196] In some embodiments, the valve fault detection method 101 may further include a step: based on the target electrical signals of multiple historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly 14 that meet the conditions, store the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence, wherein the historical opening and closing sequence that meets the conditions refers to the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly 14 is working normally; that is, the characteristic quantity of the target control valve 01 involved can be stored through the target electrical signals of the time period corresponding to the opening and closing sequence in which the valve assembly 14 is working normally, and the controller 40 can provide a risk warning for the target control valve based on the characteristic quantity of the target control valve.

[0197] This document describes various exemplary embodiments with reference to them. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of this document. For example, various operational steps and components for performing operational steps can be implemented in different ways depending on the specific application or considering any number of cost functions associated with the operation of the system (e.g., one or more steps can be deleted, modified, or combined with other steps).

[0198] While the principles herein have been illustrated in various embodiments, numerous modifications to the structure, arrangement, proportions, elements, materials, and components, particularly suited to specific environmental and operational requirements, may be used without departing from the principles and scope of this disclosure. These modifications and other alterations or alterations will be included within the scope of this document.

[0199] The foregoing specific descriptions have been described with reference to various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, considerations for this disclosure are to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are to be included within its scope. Similarly, advantages, other advantages, and solutions to problems with respect to various embodiments have been described above. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that produce these, or make them more explicit, should not be construed as critical, essential, or necessary. The term “comprising” and any other variations thereof as used herein are non-exclusive inclusion, meaning that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or not part of the process, method, system, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the term “coupled” and any other variations thereof as used herein refer to physical connections, electrical connections, magnetic connections, optical connections, communication connections, functional connections, and / or any other connections.

[0200] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes can be made to the details of the above embodiments without departing from the basic principles of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined only by the claims.

Claims

1. A sample analysis device, characterized in that, It includes a sample analysis module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller; The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes a control valve, the control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, the control valve being controllable by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valve in the valve component to switch the open / closed state according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, the opening / closing sequence of the valve component being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening / closing state of the control valve in the valve component; The power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly; The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly; The controller is used for: Receive work instructions; According to the work instructions, the sample analysis function module is controlled to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence; The target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly is obtained through the electrical signal detection module. The system determines whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

2. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

3. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal, including: At least according to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing. The target electrical signal is determined based on the characteristic signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target electrical signal includes the electrical signal detected by the electrical signal detection module at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

4. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The controller acquires, at least according to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, including: Based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, determine the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched, and the target closing timing of the target control valve being closed in chronological order; at least based on the target closing timing of the target control valve, determine the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly; or... Based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, determine the target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched, and the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve being disconnected in chronological order. At least based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve, determine the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

5. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The controller acquires a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, including: determining the target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly; and acquiring a feature signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly and the feature quantity of each target control valve, wherein the feature quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the switching of the opening and closing state of the target control valve; Preferably, determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target closing sequence of the target control valve includes: determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target closing sequence of the target control valve and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve switching from an open state to a closed state; Preferably, determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve includes: determining the characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target disconnection sequence of the target control valve and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in electrical signal caused by the target control valve switching from a closed state to an open state.

6. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The characteristic signal includes a target characteristic electrical signal curve that varies with time.

7. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The controller determines whether the target electrical signal is abnormal based on the characteristic signal, in order to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly, including: The target control valves whose opening and closing states need to be switched in the valve assembly and the switching sequence of each target control valve are determined according to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly. Based on the characteristic signal, determine whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal. If so, locate the control valve in the valve assembly that has malfunctioned based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

8. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve, including: If the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the target control valve whose opening / closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve; and / or, If the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal is not the time corresponding to the time sequence in which the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valves in which the valve assembly does not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves that have failed.

9. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is an abnormal target electrical signal based on the characteristic signal. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target electrical signal and the switching sequence of the target control valve, including: The target characteristic electrical signal curve is matched with the curves corresponding to the electrical signal at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. If there is, the control valve that has failed in the valve assembly is located based on the time when the anomaly occurs and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

10. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a signal generation module, wherein the signal generator is used to superimpose an AC voltage signal of a preset waveform onto the power supply voltage of the power supply module; The controller obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly through the electrical signal detection module, including: controlling the signal generation module to superimpose the AC voltage signal with a preset waveform on the power supply voltage during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence, and obtaining the AC current signal caused by the superimposed AC voltage signal with the preset waveform according to the current signal detected by the current signal detection module. The controller determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal, including: calculating the target inductance of the valve assembly based on the AC voltage signal and the AC current signal of the preset waveform; and determining whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target inductance.

11. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The controller controls the signal generation module to alternately perform a first action and a second action during the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence. The first action is to superimpose the AC voltage of the preset waveform, and the second action is to stop superimposing the AC voltage of the preset waveform. The controller calculates the AC current signal based on the current signals detected by the current signal detection module in adjacent first and second actions.

12. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target inductance, including: At least based on the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic inductance is used to represent the change of inductance over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing. The target inductance is determined based on the characteristic inductance to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target inductance includes the inductance calculated at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

13. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The controller obtains the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based at least on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, including: determining the target control valve in the valve assembly whose opening and closing state needs to be switched based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly; and determining the characteristic inductance corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly based on the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly and the characteristic quantity of each target control valve, wherein the characteristic quantity of the target control valve includes the change in inductance of the target control valve caused by the switching of the opening and closing state.

14. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The characteristic inductance includes a target characteristic inductance curve that varies over time.

15. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The controller determines whether the target inductance is abnormal based on the characteristic inductance, in order to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly, including: The target control valves whose opening and closing states need to be switched in the valve assembly and the switching sequence of each target control valve are determined according to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly. Based on the characteristic inductance, it is determined whether there is an abnormal target inductance. If so, the control valve that has malfunctioned in the valve assembly is located based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

16. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the switching sequence of the target control valve, including: If the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance is the time corresponding to the switching sequence of the target control valve, then the target control valve whose opening / closing state needs to be switched at the corresponding time in the target opening / closing sequence is identified as the faulty control valve; and / or, If the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance is not the time corresponding to the time sequence in which the target control valve is switched, then the non-target control valves whose opening and closing states do not need to be switched in the target opening and closing sequence are identified as the control valves that have failed.

17. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The controller determines whether there is an abnormality in the target inductance based on the characteristic inductance. If so, it locates the faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the time corresponding to the abnormal target inductance and the switching sequence of the target control valve, including: The target characteristic inductance curve is matched with the curves corresponding to the target inductance at multiple times to determine whether there is an anomaly at the same time. If there is, the control valve that has failed in the valve assembly is located based on the time when the anomaly occurs and the timing of the switching of the target control valve.

18. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, The work instructions include at least one of the following: test instructions, cleaning instructions, and maintenance instructions.

19. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 18, characterized in that, When the working instruction received by the controller is the test instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of sample measurement at the sample detection site; When the working instruction received by the controller is the cleaning instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the cleaning function; When the working instruction received by the controller is the maintenance instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device.

20. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, The controller is also used to, upon receiving a self-test command, respond to the self-test command by switching the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly according to a preset target opening and closing sequence, so as to traverse all control valves in the valve assembly, and obtain the target electrical signal corresponding to the time period of the preset target opening and closing sequence through the electrical signal detection module, and determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

21. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that, The controller also updates the characteristic quantity of the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly; wherein the qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly when it is working normally.

22. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, The controller also stores the characteristic quantity of the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched in each historical opening and closing sequence according to the target electrical signal of the time period corresponding to multiple qualified historical opening and closing sequences of the valve assembly; wherein the qualified historical opening and closing sequence refers to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly when it is working normally. The controller provides risk warnings for the target control valve based on its characteristic parameters.

23. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that, The valve assembly includes more than one control valve.

24. A sample analysis device, characterized in that, It includes at least one sample analysis function module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller; The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes a control valve, the control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, the control valve being controllable by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valve in the valve component to switch the open / closed state according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, the opening / closing sequence of the valve component being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening / closing state of the control valve in the valve component; The power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly; The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly; The sample analysis device has a valve self-test mode and a valve online detection mode; In the valve self-test mode: the controller determines whether each control valve in the valve assembly has malfunctioned by using the target electrical signal obtained by the electrical signal detection module; In the valve online detection mode: the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection, and obtains the target control valve whose opening and closing state needs to be switched when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection. The controller then uses the target electrical signal obtained by the electrical signal detection module to determine the control valve that has malfunctioned in the target control valve.

25. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 24, characterized in that, In response to a self-test command, the controller enters the valve self-test mode. In the valve self-test mode, the controller switches the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly according to a preset target opening and closing sequence to traverse all control valves in the valve assembly. The controller also obtains the target electrical signal corresponding to the preset target opening and closing sequence time period through the electrical signal detection module and determines whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal. And / or, In response to the work command, the controller controls the valve to enter the valve online detection mode. In the valve online detection mode, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the work command, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence. The target electrical signal of the valve assembly corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence is obtained through the electrical signal detection module, and the control valve in the target control valve that has failed is determined according to the target electrical signal.

26. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 25, characterized in that, The preset target opening and closing sequence includes sequentially switching the opening and closing state of each control valve in the valve assembly so that only one control valve is switched at a time, and traversing all control valves in the valve assembly.

27. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The work instructions include at least one of test instructions, cleaning instructions, and maintenance instructions; When the working instruction received by the controller is the test instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the function of sample aspiration and discharge, and performing the function of sample measurement at the sample detection site; When the working instruction received by the controller is the cleaning instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including: performing the cleaning function; When the working instruction received by the controller is the maintenance instruction, the controller controls the sample analysis function module to perform one or more functions required for sample detection according to the working instruction, including performing maintenance work on the sample analysis device.

28. The sample analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that, The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

29. A sample analysis device, characterized in that, It includes a sample analysis module, a power supply module, an electrical signal detection module, and a controller; The sample analysis function module is used to perform one or more functions required for sample detection; wherein, the sample analysis function module includes at least a sample aspiration component, a liquid path component, a sample carrying component, and a valve component; the sample aspiration component is used to acquire the sample, the liquid path component is connected to the sample aspiration component, and the sample carrying component is used to provide a place for sample detection; the valve component is connected to at least one of the sample aspiration component, the liquid path component, and the sample carrying component, and the valve component includes multiple control valves, each control valve having two open / closed states, including an open state and a closed state, and the control valves can be controlled by the controller to open and close to switch between different open / closed states; wherein, when the sample analysis function module performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the controller controls the control valves in the valve component to switch their open / closed states according to the opening / closing sequence of the valve component, and the opening / closing sequence of the valve component is used to indicate the timing in which the opening / closing states of the control valves in the valve component are switched; The power supply module is used to supply power to the plurality of control valves of the valve assembly; The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; When the valve assembly is in operation, the controller obtains the total electrical signal through the electrical signal detection module to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly.

30. The sample analysis apparatus as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

31. A valve fault detection method for a sample analysis device, the sample analysis device comprising a valve assembly, a power supply module, and an electrical signal detection module, the valve assembly comprising a control valve having two opening and closing states, including an open state and a closed state, the control valve being controllable by a controller to open and close to switch between different opening and closing states; when the sample analysis device performs one or more functions required for sample detection, the control valve in the valve assembly switches its opening and closing states according to the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly, the opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly being used to indicate the timing of the switching of the opening and closing states of the control valve in the valve assembly; the power supply module is used to supply power to the control valve of the valve assembly; The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the electrical signal supplied by the power supply module to the control valve of the valve assembly; characterized in that, The valve fault detection method includes: Receive work instructions; According to the work instructions, control the execution of one or more functions required for sample detection, so as to control the control valve in the valve assembly to switch the opening and closing state according to the target opening and closing sequence; The target electrical signal corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly is obtained through the electrical signal detection module. The system determines whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal.

32. The valve fault detection method as described in claim 31, characterized in that, The electrical signal detection module is used to detect the total electrical signal of all control valves in the valve assembly; the electrical signal detection module is a current signal detection module, and the total electrical signal is the total current.

33. The valve fault detection method as described in claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The step of determining whether a malfunctioning control valve exists in the valve assembly based on the target electrical signal includes: At least according to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly, a characteristic signal corresponding to the target opening and closing timing of the valve assembly is obtained. The characteristic signal is used to represent the change of electrical signal over time when the control valve in the valve assembly normally switches between opening and closing states according to the target opening and closing timing. The target electrical signal is determined based on the characteristic signal to determine whether there is a faulty control valve in the valve assembly. The target electrical signal includes the electrical signal detected by the electrical signal detection module at multiple moments within the time period corresponding to the target opening and closing sequence of the valve assembly.

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