Optical Sensor for Container Plugging Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical apparatuses face challenges in securely plugging containers to prevent contamination during automatic transfer processes, particularly in nucleic-acid analyzing devices where hermetic sealing is crucial, but lack a reliable method to confirm successful plugging.
Innovation Solution
An analytical apparatus equipped with an optical sensor system that uses a pair of light sources and detectors to monitor the plugging process by measuring transmitted light, allowing for differentiation between unmounted, partially plugged, and fully plugged states, thereby ensuring secure sealing and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hermetic plugging is performed to prevent contamination between specimens, then reliability of analysis is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for monitoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using optical sensors to detect the plugging state of containers and providing this information back to the control unit. The control unit then determines whether to proceed with the analysis based on the detected state, creating a closed-loop system that ensures hermetic sealing before analysis without requiring complex manual monitoring procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical sensors or manual inspection methods to verify plugging, the system uses light transmission through the cap to detect the plugging state, simplifying the monitoring mechanism while maintaining high reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical sensors are added to monitor plugging state, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical sensors or manual inspection methods to verify plugging, the system uses light transmission through the cap to detect the plugging state, simplifying the monitoring mechanism while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to detect the plugging state. The optical sensor system uses light transmission through the cap as a mediator to indirectly detect whether the container is properly plugged, avoiding the need for direct mechanical contact or complex sensing mechanisms
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 real-time monitoring of plugging success, allowing for immediate action to prevent contamination and ensuring a high-reliability analysis environment by distinguishing between successful and unsuccessful plugging stages.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor comprised of a pair of a light source (4) and a light detector (5) between which a container setting position is arranged so that the container (1) and a cap (2) are irradiated with a light
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is an analytical apparatus wherein a container is automatically transferred and the container is automatically closed with a cap member, said analytical apparatus being provided with a suitable mechanism that reliably closes the container. The analytical apparatus is provided with an optical sensor composed of at least one pair of a light source (4) and a light detector (5), which face each other with the container disposing position therebetween, and which are disposed such that the container disposing position is irradiated with light, and the analytical apparatus detects whether the container (1) is disposed or not or the absence/presence of the cap of the container, corresponding to a transmitted light quantity detected by means of the optical sensor. Thus, cap closing is prevented from being performed if there is no container, and the container is prevented from being transferred without the cap.