Sampling robot, robot system for goods sampling and detection and detection method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual inspection of refrigerated and chilled commodities in customs inspection poses risks of unauthorized access, exposure to unsuitable temperatures, and inefficiencies due to lack of informatization, leading to supervision and management challenges.

Innovation Solution

A sampling robot integrating image collection, refrigeration, biometric identification, and intelligent mobility for automated sample collection, storage, and path planning, with remote management and detection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation mode is used for sampling refrigerated and chilled commodities, then operational flexibility is maintained, but supervision and management risks increase due to open area access and lack of informatization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsupervision and management control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An automated sampling robot serves as an intermediary between inspectors and the sampling process. The robot executes sampling operations autonomously based on inspection requirements, eliminating direct manual handling while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control. This resolves the contradiction by providing both automation reliability and operational adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sampling robot performs self-service operations including autonomous navigation to sample locations, automated sampling execution, and self-return to the base station. The system manages its own operations without continuous human intervention, improving supervision control while maintaining operational flexibility through autonomous decision-making capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If samples are immediately transported to detection laboratory after inspection, then temperature exposure risk is reduced, but inspection efficiency decreases due to repeated manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature exposure riskVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling robot performs preliminary sampling and immediate refrigerated storage actions right at the inspection location. By pre-storing samples in the robot's refrigeration unit immediately after collection, the system minimizes temperature exposure time without requiring repeated manual transport cycles, thus improving both temperature control and inspection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robot acts as an intermediary transport vehicle that consolidates multiple samples and transports them in a single refrigerated journey to the detection laboratory. This eliminates repeated manual transport operations while maintaining continuous temperature control, resolving the contradiction between temperature protection and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated sampling robot is deployed, then inspection efficiency and supervision control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling robot is designed as a multi-functional universal platform that integrates sampling, refrigerated storage, autonomous navigation, and communication capabilities in a single device. This universal design improves inspection efficiency through automation while managing complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one standardized system rather than separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The robot incorporates feedback mechanisms including biometric authentication for operator verification, real-time status reporting to remote management centers, and automated decision-making based on sensor data. These feedback systems improve supervision control and efficiency while managing complexity through standardized communication protocols and centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances inspection efficiency by reducing labor intensity, ensuring sample integrity, and improving supervision through automated sample collection, storage, and identification, while minimizing unauthorized access and temperature exposure risks.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigeration unit for storing the sample at a preset temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefrigeration: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

an image collection unit for photographing a sample and sending a sample image collected to a control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotography: Photography

Implementation Method 3

a biometric information collection unit for collecting biometric information from an operator and sending the biometric information to the control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiometric identification:

Implementation Method 4

an intelligent mobile unit for receiving destination information from a remote management center or the operator, performing path planning according to the destination information and obstacle information, and moving according to a planned path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPath planning:

Data Source

PatentUS12539616B2Sampling robot, robot system for goods sampling and detection and detection method
Publication Date: 2026.02.03 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • US12539616B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A sampling robot, a robot system for goods sampling and detection and a detection method are disclosed. The image collection unit takes photos of a sample. The refrigeration unit stores the sample at a preset temperature. The biometric information collection unit collects the biometric information of the operator. The intelligent mobile unit moves according to a planned path. The control unit provides destination information to the intelligent mobile unit and judges whether the current sample is a sample to be detected, and judges the biometric information of the operator.