Pipetting Imaging Device with Dual Mirrors for Depth Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for pipetting devices cannot accurately detect deviations in both the left-right and depth directions between the nozzle tip and target stop positions, leading to potential misalignment during pipetting operations.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a pair of mirrors and a camera is installed in the pipetting device, allowing images of the nozzle tip to be captured from two different viewpoints, enabling detection of deviations in both the left-right and front-back directions from a single image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single camera captures an image of the nozzle tip at the target stop position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is insufficient because deviation in the depth direction cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pair of mirrors to reflect light from two different directions (front and side) onto a single camera sensor. This allows the system to detect deviations in both the left-right direction and the depth direction from one captured image, effectively adding dimensional information without adding multiple cameras. The first mirror reflects light from the front direction while the second mirror reflects light from the side direction, enabling comprehensive position detection.
2Ease of operation
If the reference position is set away from the target stop position, then the imaging device can capture the nozzle tip, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the nozzle tip cannot be accurately adjusted to the target stop position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pair of mirrors as intermediaries to reflect light from the nozzle tip and target stop position onto the camera. The first mirror reflects light from the front direction and the second mirror reflects light from the side direction, creating virtual images that allow the camera to capture the spatial relationship between the nozzle tip and target stop position. This intermediary optical system enables accurate detection even when the reference position is offset from the target stop position.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture images from different directions, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single camera by using a pair of mirrors to reflect light from different directions onto the same sensor. The first mirror captures light from the front direction while the second mirror captures light from the side direction, and both images are combined in a single captured image. This merging approach maintains comprehensive deviation detection capability while reducing the number of imaging 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 configuration allows precise adjustment of the nozzle tip to the target stop position, improving pipetting accuracy and reducing processing time by minimizing the number of pixels needed for image processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror having a first reflective surface and a second mirror having a second reflective surface. The pair of mirrors is arranged such that the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface face each other.
Implementation Method 2
the first reflective surface facing toward the tip of the nozzle, and the second reflective surface facing toward the camera.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique for detecting deviation amounts in two directions between a tip of a nozzle of a pipetting device and a target stop position from one image. An imaging device of the present disclosure is an imaging device installed in a pipetting device including a nozzle that aspirates and dispenses liquid and an arm that holds the nozzle and moves the nozzle by a rotation operation. The imaging device includes: a camera that includes an image sensor and a lens; and a pair of mirrors that includes a first mirror having a first reflective surface and a second mirror having a second reflective surface. The pair of mirrors is arranged such that the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface face each other. The pair of mirrors is arranged one by one between the tip of the nozzle and a bottom surface of the arm, on both sides across a plane that includes a rotation axis of the arm and a central axis of the nozzle. The first mirror is disposed closer to the arm than the second mirror, with the first reflective surface facing toward the tip of the nozzle, and the second reflective surface facing toward the camera.