Acoustic Microparticle Collection for Infectious Agent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection systems for infectious agents, such as those disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publications 2012-052865 and 2012-068067, face challenges in improving detection speed and accuracy while minimizing the burden on visitors and reducing equipment size and noise, and may be perceived as unhygienic due to the need for high-speed air suction and close proximity to the collection point.
Innovation Solution
A detection system incorporating a microphone and a detector with an opening positioned below and forward of the microphone to collect microparticles expelled from the mouth of a visitor, utilizing an air current to direct droplets toward the opening, and including a human detecting sensor to initiate air flow and suction only when a visitor is present, thereby reducing visitor burden and improving detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed air suction is used to collect microparticles, then detection speed and accuracy are improved, but equipment size and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a speaker to generate acoustic waves that create air currents to transport microparticles containing infectious agents to the collection portion. This pneumatic approach replaces high-speed mechanical suction systems, achieving effective microparticle collection without requiring large, noisy high-speed fans or pumps. The acoustic field manipulation enables gentle yet efficient particle transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical high-speed suction systems with an acoustic field-based collection mechanism. Instead of using mechanical forces from high-speed fans to draw in air and microparticles, the system uses acoustic waves to generate air currents that naturally guide microparticles to the collection area, reducing mechanical complexity and equipment size.
2Productivity
If high-speed air suction is used to collect microparticles, then detection speed and accuracy are improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs acoustic wave-generated air currents instead of high-speed mechanical suction. The speaker produces sound waves that create gentle air flows to transport microparticles, eliminating the need for noisy high-speed fans or pumps while maintaining effective collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical high-speed suction mechanisms with an acoustic field-based approach. The speaker generates acoustic energy that translates into air currents for particle transport, substituting noisy mechanical systems with a quieter acoustic field solution.
3Measurement precision
If the collection point is positioned close to the visitor's mouth, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system is perceived as unhygienic and increases visitor burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the collection portion at the bottom of the housing rather than directly in front of or close to the visitor's mouth. By utilizing the vertical dimension and placing the collection area at the bottom, the system captures microparticles that settle or are guided downward by acoustic-generated air currents, maintaining detection accuracy while eliminating close-proximity contact concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary mechanism to transport microparticles from the visitor's breath to the collection portion. The speaker-generated sound waves create air currents that act as a mediator, guiding particles to the collection area without requiring the collection point to be in direct contact with or close to the visitor's mouth, thus maintaining hygiene.
4Productivity
If the opening is positioned below and forward of the microphone, then microparticle collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the collection portion with the existing speaker and microphone housing structure. The speaker serves dual purposes: as an acoustic output device and as the mechanism to generate air currents for microparticle collection. The housing structure accommodates both audio functions and particle collection, eliminating the need for separate collection apparatus and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the microparticle collection function with the existing audio device structure. The collection portion is integrated into the housing that already contains the speaker and microphone, combining multiple functions (audio output, air current generation, and particle collection) into a single unified structure, thereby avoiding additional complex components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently collects infectious agents with reduced burden on the visitor, enhancing detection speed and accuracy while minimizing equipment size and noise, and allows for hygienic operation by collecting agents without direct awareness of the collection process.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker 18 that generates acoustic waves; air currents generated by the acoustic waves from the speaker 18 transport microparticles 6 containing the infectious agent to the collection portion 25
Implementation Method 2
The detector collects a microparticle passing through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system includes a microphone, and a detector. The microphone picks up the voice of a visitor. The detector has an opening. The detector collects a microparticle passing through the opening, and detects a predetermined infectious agent contained in the collected microparticle. The opening is disposed below and forward of the microphone so that, when the visitor faces the microphone, the opening is positioned below and forward of the visitor.