Heated Window for Refrigerated Chamber Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated chambers used for storing chemicals and biological materials face challenges in maintaining accurate inventory and identifying materials due to condensation and reflections on the windows, which distort images and hinder barcode reading.
Innovation Solution
A material management unit equipped with a refrigerated chamber, a window with a heating element to prevent condensation, and a camera positioned outside to capture images of the interior through the window, allowing for accurate identification of materials via barcode scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a window is added to the refrigerated chamber for viewing and imaging, then material identification and inventory management are improved, but condensation and reflections form on the window surface degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a heating element to the window to change its temperature parameter, heating it to at least 35 degrees Celsius to prevent condensation formation. This parameter change (temperature control) directly addresses the harmful condensation and reflection effects on the window surface while maintaining the imaging function.
2Measurement precision
If the window is heated to prevent condensation, then image capture quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the window structure, allowing the window to self-regulate its temperature to prevent condensation. The system uses a temperature sensor and controller to maintain the window at the required temperature only when needed for imaging, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring image quality.
3Reliability
If a camera is positioned outside the refrigerated chamber for imaging, then the chamber interior remains isolated and temperature-stable, but the camera cannot capture clear images due to window condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heated window acts as an intermediary between the cold refrigerated chamber interior and the warmer exterior environment where the camera is positioned. By maintaining the window at a temperature above the dew point, it prevents condensation formation on the interior surface, allowing clear optical transmission from the cold chamber to the external camera while preserving temperature stability inside the chamber.
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 solution effectively reduces condensation and reflections, enabling clear image capture and accurate identification of materials within the refrigerated chamber, thus streamlining inventory management and sample preparation processes.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element is positioned along the edges of the window to heat the window and prevent condensation from forming on its exterior surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for acquiring the image data of refrigerated materials is disclosed. The system includes a material management unit with an imaging system. The material management unit further includes a refrigerated chamber in which material vials are stored. The imaging system includes a window positioned on the side of the material management unit that separates an interior space of the refrigerated chamber from an exterior space of the material management unit. The imaging system further includes a camera positioned in the exterior space that captures image data through the window. The window is heated along its sides by a heating element, which functions to prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the window.