Centrifugal Separator Imaging for Sample Container Installation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal separation apparatuses face challenges in detecting the installation state of sample containers due to high-speed rotation, making it difficult to arrange internal sensors, and existing short-range detection techniques like photoelectric sensors are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal separation apparatus equipped with a retainer, rotating member, imaging unit, transfer mechanism, and sensor processing unit that uses an AI-mounted image sensor to acquire and analyze detection images before rotation, enabling precise detection of sample container installation states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a photoelectric sensor is arranged on the installation arm to detect sample container installation state, then detection capability is provided, but detection precision is insufficient due to short-range limitations and high-speed rotation interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical photoelectric sensor detection system with an imaging unit that captures images of the sample container installation state. The imaging unit photographs the retainer and sample containers from above, and the sensor processing unit analyzes these images to determine installation states, substituting direct mechanical sensing with optical imaging and computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit creates a visual copy (image) of the sample container installation state, which is then analyzed by the sensor processing unit. This copying approach allows indirect observation of the installation state without requiring physical contact or proximity sensors that would be affected by high-speed rotation.
2Productivity
If the rotating member rotates at high speed for centrifugal separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but the ability to arrange internal sensors deteriorates due to centrifugal forces and motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit captures images of the sample container installation state before the rotating member begins high-speed rotation. The sensor processing unit analyzes these pre-rotation images to determine installation states, performing detection in advance before centrifugal forces and motion blur would interfere with sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit acts as an intermediary between the sample container installation state and the sensor processing unit. Instead of placing sensors directly in the rotating environment, the imaging unit captures visual information that can be analyzed remotely, mediating the detection process to avoid high-speed rotation interference.
3Reliability
If detection is performed during high-speed rotation, then real-time monitoring is achieved, but detection reliability deteriorates due to motion blur and centrifugal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs detection by capturing images before the rotating member begins high-speed rotation. The sensor processing unit determines the installation state from these static, pre-rotation images, ensuring detection reliability is not compromised by motion blur or centrifugal effects that would occur during rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a centrifugal separation apparatus includes, a centrifugal separator comprising a retainer and a rotating member for rotation of the retainer, the retainer adapted to retain a workpiece, an imaging unit configured to acquire a detection image of an installation position at which the retainer is placed, a transfer mechanism configured to move the workpiece into the centrifugal separator, and a sensor processing unit configured to detect, based on the detection image acquired after an installation process of placing the workpiece into the retainer and before a rotation process of rotating the rotating member, a state of the workpiece subjected to the installation process.