Portable Inspection Device for Belt Line Alignment Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing test tube conveyance systems require time-consuming and labor-intensive maintenance due to the need for visual confirmation of belt line alignment and parallelism, especially when conveyance lines span long distances or are located in inaccessible positions, making routine maintenance difficult.
Innovation Solution
An inspection device with a housing that can be detachably held by a conveyance body, equipped with sensors to detect the state of the device during conveyance, a storage unit for output data, and a transmission unit to send data externally, allowing for remote monitoring and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual confirmation methods (level, manual inspection) are used to check belt line alignment and parallelism, then maintenance accuracy can be ensured, but maintenance time and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection methods (level, naked eye) with an automated imaging system consisting of cameras, image processing units, and coordinate transformation algorithms. The system automatically captures images of the conveyance line, processes them computationally, and calculates alignment and parallelism deviations, thereby substituting mechanical/manual measurement methods with an automated optical-digital system that achieves both high precision and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that mediates between the physical conveyance line and the human operator. Instead of directly observing the conveyance line, the system captures images via cameras, processes them through image processing units, transforms coordinates, and presents processed alignment data to operators, thereby eliminating the need for operators to perform time-consuming manual visual confirmation
2Volume of moving object
If conveyance lines are disposed over multiple stories or in deep positions, then space utilization is improved, but visual confirmation becomes impossible without removing exterior covers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical access to conveyance lines with an automated imaging system. Cameras mounted on the conveyance body capture images of belt lines from various angles, and image processing units analyze alignment and parallelism automatically, eliminating the need for operators to physically access or visually confirm components in hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual confirmation (operator viewing from outside) to three-dimensional comprehensive measurement by mounting cameras on the moving conveyance body itself. This allows the system to capture images from multiple perspectives and positions throughout the conveyance path, including areas previously inaccessible to external observers
3Reliability
If multiple specimen racks are conveyed for testing, then conveyance system functionality is verified, but the process becomes time-consuming and cannot be performed routinely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the conveyance system to perform self-diagnosis and self-verification. The imaging system automatically captures images during normal conveyance operations, and the image processing unit automatically analyzes alignment and parallelism without requiring external intervention or specialized testing procedures, allowing routine verification to be integrated into regular operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms maintenance verification from a discrete, periodic task into a continuous process. By automatically capturing and analyzing images during each conveyance cycle, the system continuously monitors alignment and parallelism, eliminating the need to stop operations for separate verification tasks and enabling routine incorporation of maintenance checks
Data Source
AI summary
In medical analysis devices and automatic specimen examination systems, the specimen conveyance mechanism is constituted by a plurality of belt lines. During installation or maintenance of the specimen conveyance mechanism, it is necessary to confirm the existence of steps at the joints of these belt lines and the parallelism of the conveyance line. According to the present invention, it is possible to lighten the burden of this work with a test tube type or conveyance holder type inspection device provided with a sensor and battery for operation. Also, even when an operator cannot visually confirm the conveyance line from outside, it is possible to confirm the state of the conveyance line.