Hose Quality Prediction via Optical Aspiration Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated analyser systems lack a reliable method to predict or detect the wear or failure of hoses used in peristaltic pumps, leading to unplanned maintenance, costly downtimes, and unnecessary replacement of hoses.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize optical sensors to measure light intensity through the hose during aspiration, recording voltage changes, and analyzing aspiration time data to determine the hose's quality and predict its remaining useful lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hoses are replaced at fixed intervals, then system reliability is maintained, but unnecessary replacement of hoses occurs and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of hose condition by analyzing aspiration time data and light intensity measurements before actual hose failure occurs. This allows proactive replacement only when necessary, avoiding both premature and delayed replacement scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors aspiration time and light intensity parameters, comparing them against reference values to provide feedback on hose condition. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of replacement timing based on actual wear patterns rather than fixed schedules.
2Reliability
If hoses are monitored continuously, then hose failure can be predicted, but device complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing operational data (aspiration time, light intensity from normal operation) to assess hose condition without requiring separate monitoring hardware. The hose essentially monitors itself through its impact on normal system performance parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Components already present in the system (optical sensors, aspiration mechanisms) are utilized for dual purposes: their primary function and hose condition monitoring. This avoids adding dedicated monitoring equipment while achieving predictive capability.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to measure light intensity through the hose, then hose quality can be determined, but measurement precision requirements and data analysis complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms optical measurements into temporal parameters (aspiration time) for analysis. By converting light intensity data into time-based metrics, the system simplifies the analysis complexity while maintaining measurement precision for hose quality assessment.
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
Enables timely replacement of hoses, reducing unplanned maintenance, minimizing costly downtimes, and optimizing the availability of automated analyser systems by predicting hose failure and estimating remaining useful lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the light intensity through the hose during aspiration with an optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the quality of a hose in an automated analyser system, comprising the steps of collecting data of a wash curve by measuring the light intensity through a hose with an optical sensor during washing of a hose; determining and recording the voltage changes related to changing light intensities; extracting an aspiration time and time for completing of a an aspiration process from said data; determining changes in the data of the most recent wash curves. The disclosure further relates to a device for preforming said method.