Optical Limit Fill Level Detection for Coverslipping Machine Solvent Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coverslipping machines face the challenge of solvent drying out in the hollow needle during non-use periods, leading to clogging, and there is a need for an automatic and reliable method to detect the solvent level to prevent this.
Innovation Solution
A limit fill level measurement system using a light source and light sensor, encapsulated to be solvent vapor-insensitive, which detects the refraction of light to determine the solvent level in a transparent container, allowing for reliable monitoring of both upper and lower limits, and can be optimized for specific use cases with adjustable geometrical arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brush and solvent container are used to clean the hollow needle, then the risk of mounting medium drying out and clogging the needle is decreased, but the complexity of the cleaning device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the cleaning device (preventing drying) from the complex brush-and-solvent-container structure. By using a simple wick that passes through the hollow needle and absorbs solvent from a reservoir, the system achieves the same protective function with minimal structural complexity, eliminating the need for brushes and complex solvent delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick-based cleaning device is designed to be self-regulating and automatically supplies solvent to the hollow needle through capillary action. The system serves itself by using the solvent reservoir and wick combination to automatically prevent drying without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If automatic limit level detection is implemented, then the risk of solvent drying out is decreased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic level detection systems with a simple optical measurement principle. A light source and light sensor are positioned to detect the solvent level through refraction, providing automatic monitoring without requiring complex mechanical sensors, electronics, or power supplies, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses changes in light refraction parameters to detect solvent level. By monitoring the refraction angle or light path changes as the solvent level varies, the system achieves automatic level detection through physical parameter changes rather than complex electronic sensing, keeping the measurement system simple and reliable.
3Reliability
If the light source and light sensor are encapsulated to be solvent vapor-insensitive, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple encapsulation structures such as flexible shells or thin film coverings around the light source and light sensor. These encapsulations protect the electronic components from solvent vapor exposure while maintaining optical transparency and measurement functionality, achieving protection without requiring complex sealed enclosures or multiple protective layers.
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 system effectively prevents solvent drying by reliably monitoring the fill level, ensuring the hollow needle remains immersed in solvent, thus preventing clogging and maintaining machine functionality over time.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement principle exploits the refraction, in the liquid, of the light radiated from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coverslipping machine (1) including: a hollow needle (2) for applying mounting medium onto a specimen slide (5); a transparent container (103) to be filled with a liquid; a light source (101) for radiating measurement light in a principal radiating direction (A) into the container (103); and a light sensor (102, 102′) for detecting the measurement light, the light source (101) being arranged with respect to the container (103) in such a way that the radiated measurement light is refracted by a liquid in the container whose fill level exceeds a fill level limit, the light sensor (102, 102′) being arranged with respect to the container (103) in such a way that only measurement light refracted by the liquid or only measurement light not refracted by the liquid is detected.