Optical Anti-Collision Device for Sample-Loading Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample-loading systems face challenges in detecting collisions during movement, leading to potential damage and safety risks, with current solutions like pressure detection, acceleration detection, and driving pulse detection increasing complexity and cost, and often resulting in inaccurate judgments.
Innovation Solution
An anti-collision device and method using a code plate with equidistant light penetrating gaps, an optical coupler, a location signal detecting unit, and a drive pulse counting unit to detect relative location changes and control the drive motor, preventing collisions by fractionalizing the movement process into phases and using optical detection for location signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure detection is used to detect collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure detection system with an optical detection system. Instead of using pressure sensors that require physical contact and add weight to the moving mechanism, the invention uses an optical coupler to detect collision by monitoring changes in light transmission through a code plate. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical sensors while maintaining collision detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a code plate as an intermediary element between the optical coupler and the moving mechanism. The code plate transmits light under normal conditions but blocks or alters light transmission when collision occurs, providing indirect detection of collision events without requiring direct physical sensing at the collision point.
2Reliability
If acceleration detection is used to detect collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex acceleration detection system with a simple optical detection system. Instead of using acceleration sensors that require signal processing to distinguish collision from vibration, the invention uses an optical coupler that directly detects collision through light transmission changes, eliminating the need for complex signal processing circuits and algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential collision detection function from the complex acceleration detection system. By using the optical coupler to detect only the specific condition of collision (through light blockage or transmission change), the system removes unnecessary signal processing components while maintaining effective collision detection.
3Reliability
If driving pulse detection is used to detect collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the driving pulse detection system with an optical detection system. Instead of monitoring motor pulse signals and using complex signal processing to detect collision, the invention uses an optical coupler that provides direct collision detection through light transmission changes, simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Reliability
If pressure sensors or acceleration sensors are added to detect collisions, then collision detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive optical components (optical coupler and code plate) instead of expensive pressure sensors or acceleration sensors. The optical coupler and code plate are low-cost components that can be easily manufactured and integrated, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost while maintaining effective collision detection capability.
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 prevents collisions with a low-cost, simple design that minimizes system size, reduces complexity, and enhances sensitivity, ensuring personal safety and apparatus protection without being affected by acceleration or deceleration, thus providing accurate and timely collision detection.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coupler detects the light penetrating gaps of the code plate during the relative movement between the optical coupler and the code plate and outputs detection signals indicative of periodically-changed electrical levels
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present invention provide an anti-collision device used for a sample-loading system. This device may include a code plate, an optical coupler, a location signal-detecting unit, a drive pulse counting unit and a drive pulse-sending unit. The optical coupler detects the code plate during the relative movement between the optical coupler and the code plate and outputs detection signals. The location signal detecting unit determines whether to output location signals to the drive pulse counting unit. The drive pulse counting unit judges whether collisions occur to the sample-loading system. Some embodiments of the present invention provide an anti-collision method and a sample-loading system comprising the anti-collision device.