Optical Positioning Code Disk for Microfluidic Chip Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic chip detection technologies require high stability in rotation speed to accurately collect fluorescence signal data, which can be challenging and labor-intensive, affecting the accuracy and reliability of nucleic acid analysis.
Innovation Solution
An optical positioning code disk with uniformly arranged light transmissive openings and a positioning device that includes a rotating shaft, motor, internal and external photoelectric switches, allowing for precise alignment and data collection without relying on motor speed stability, using the optical positioning method to synchronize the code disk and microfluidic chip rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light shielding piece with a rectangular light transmissive opening is used for positioning, then the positioning method is simple, but the motor rotation speed stability requirement becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning method (using a light shielding piece with rectangular opening) with an optical positioning method. The code disk with light transmissive openings and photoelectric switches detects rotational position optically, eliminating the need for high mechanical precision in motor rotation speed control while maintaining accurate positioning of fluorescence signal collection.
2Measurement precision
If high stability on motor rotation speed is required, then the accuracy of fluorescence data is improved, but the system complexity and debugging difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical speed control requirements with an optical detection system. The code disk pattern (with N light transmissive openings arranged uniformly) combined with photoelectric switches provides position feedback that ensures accurate correspondence between reaction tanks and fluorescence signal collection without requiring precise motor speed control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an optical feedback mechanism using the code disk and photoelectric switches. The detection of light transmissive openings provides position feedback that enables the system to accurately identify which reaction tank is being detected, ensuring data accuracy without relying on open-loop motor speed control.
3Device complexity
If conventional positioning method is used, then the structure is simple, but the assembly and debugging time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical positioning structure with an optical code disk system. The code disk can be pre-manufactured with precise patterns, and assembly involves simply mounting the disk on the motor shaft. Debugging is simplified because the optical positioning is self-aligning and does not require precise mechanical adjustments, significantly reducing assembly and debugging time despite the added optical components.
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
This solution enhances data accuracy and reliability by reducing the need for motor speed stability, simplifying motor mounting and debugging, and shortening assembly time while saving labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
The internal photoelectric switch and the external photoelectric switch are configured to identify the light transmissive openings on the code disk
Data Source
AI summary
An optical positioning code disk, device and method for a microfluidic chip are provided. A cross section of an outer contour of the code disk is circular. N light transmissive openings are arranged uniformly around the code disk. The device includes: the code disk, a positioning pin, a rotating shaft, a motor, an internal photoelectric switch and an external photoelectric switch. A positioning surface is provided on the rotating shaft. The motor is fixedly connected with an end of the rotating shaft, and the other end of the rotating shaft passes through a center of the cross section of the code disk. The internal and external photoelectric switches are configured to identify the light transmissive openings on the code disk.