Test Tube Rack Light Blocker Shift Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting the correct positioning of a test tube rack in a blood cell analyzer pipeline are unreliable due to false impulses from test tubes and tags, leading to clinical risks and high costs associated with high-performance optical detectors.
Innovation Solution
A test tube rack with a light blocker and a shift detection method using relative value signals from feature areas on the light blocker, allowing a general type reflective optical sensor to determine correct shifting by analyzing the ratio of detection signal voltages, reducing the need for high-sensitivity sensors and avoiding false detections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical detector is used to detect feature areas on the test tube rack, then position detection can be implemented, but false impulses from test tubes and tags cause unreliable detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful reflective elements (test tubes and tags) from the detection area by positioning the optical detector to detect only feature areas on the rack body, excluding the test tube holding areas. This separation eliminates false impulses while maintaining position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feature areas (grooves or protrusions) as intermediary detection targets on the rack body. These feature areas serve as reliable mediators for position detection, replacing the unreliable direct detection of test tubes and tags.
2Measurement precision
If high-performance optical detectors are used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive high-performance optical detectors with general type reflective optical sensors. By doing so, it uses cheaper, more readily available components while maintaining detection accuracy through the optimized detection method that avoids false impulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters by selecting specific feature areas on the rack body as detection targets. This parameter change (detecting rack features instead of test tube features) enables the use of lower-cost sensors while maintaining or improving detection reliability.
3Reliability
If the optical detector aims at feature areas on the rack, then position detection is achieved, but the distance causes weak reflected light signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating feature areas (grooves or protrusions) with specific geometric properties on the rack body. These localized features are designed to optimize light reflection characteristics, ensuring sufficient signal strength from the distant detection areas.
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 method ensures reliable shift detection with reduced sensor sensitivity requirements, enabling the use of general type reflective optical sensors and reducing costs while maintaining accurate positioning determination.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective optical sensor for detecting a first feature area and a second feature area in a shifting process of the test tube rack and outputting a detection signal correspondingly
Data Source
AI summary
A test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline includes multiple test tube holders for holding test tubes. The test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline comprises a light blocker configured at a side wall of the test tube rack and across multiple test tube holders. A second feature area is on the light blocker between two adjacent test tube holders, a first feature area is between two adjacent second feature areas and a step gap with a predetermined depth is between the first feature area and a second feature area.