Marker-Based Visualization System for Biopharmaceutical Setup Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of assembling measurement or production setups, particularly in the biopharmaceutical industry, makes it difficult to design and configure connections between components accurately, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A visualization system using a processing device, capturing module, and output device that captures identification data from markers on components to determine suitable connections, providing a visual representation of the setup with adjustable configuration parameters, enabling efficient configuration and optimization of connections between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual visual inspection and manual assembly are used to connect components, then the operator can check connections and select feasible components, but the complexity of designing and configuring connections increases significantly as setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidsetup configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical assembly with an optical scanning system that automatically detects markers on components. The capturing module captures images of markers, and a processing device automatically determines connection compatibility and provides visual guidance, eliminating the need for manual checking of technical data sheets and reducing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements attached to components. These markers serve as mediators between the physical components and the digital system, enabling automatic identification and connection verification. The markers contain or link to digital information that facilitates automated compatibility checking without requiring direct manual inspection of component specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If visual inspection methods are used to verify connections, then connections can be checked, but the process becomes increasingly difficult and time-consuming as setup complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection verification accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming visual inspection with automated optical scanning. The capturing module quickly captures marker information, and the processing device automatically verifies connection compatibility, providing immediate feedback. This automated process is significantly faster and more accurate than manual visual inspection, especially for complex setups with multiple components and connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital copies of component information stored in markers and databases. Instead of manually comparing physical components against technical data sheets, the system retrieves and compares digital information from markers, enabling rapid verification. This digital copying and comparison process is much faster than manual document review while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If manual assembly with visual inspection is used, then components can be assembled, but errors in connection configuration are more likely as complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the capturing module continuously monitors component positions and marker information, and the processing device provides real-time feedback on connection compatibility. The output device displays visual guidance indicating whether connections are correct or if adjustments are needed. This closed-loop feedback system prevents errors by guiding the assembler to make correct connections on the first attempt, rather than relying on manual expertise to avoid mistakes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces error-prone manual assembly with an automated guidance system. The system uses optical scanning to detect component positions and marker information, automatically determines correct connections, and provides visual step-by-step guidance. This substitution of manual processes with automated optical and computational systems significantly reduces connection errors while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3350777B1Connection method, visualization system and computer program product
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH
  • EP3350777B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3350777B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3350777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connection method for a measurement or production setup is provided. The method comprises the steps: providing a visualization system with a processing device, an output device and at least one capturing module, whereby the at least one capturing module is capable of capturing identification data belonging to a working space; providing a first setup component having at least one first marker at the working space; providing a second setup component having at least one second marker at the working space, wherein the second setup component is connectable to the first setup component through at least one connection; capturing identification data about the first marker and the second marker by the at least one capturing module; identifying the first and second markers, whereby the processing device retrieves respective digital information assigned to the identified first marker and second marker from a database and whereby the processing device makes a decision on the at least one connection of the first setup component with the second setup component based on the retrieved digital information and the captured identification data; outputting a visual representation of the at least one connection between the first setup component and the second setup component according to the decision.