Cylindrical Sensor Container for Radiation Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for measuring electromagnetic radiation in handling devices, particularly in medication containers, face challenges in achieving accurate radiation exposure measurements due to inadequate beam geometry measurement and high complexity and cost associated with multiple sensor installations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with at least one sensor element, energy supply unit, and a partially cylindrical container designed to be transparent, allowing for precise radiation measurement in all spatial directions with minimal design effort and low angle dependence, featuring a compact, self-sufficient design with optional solar cell energy supply and multiple sensor elements for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensor devices are permanently installed at fixed positions to increase measurement accuracy, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple sensors around the container to measure radiation from all angles, the patent inverts the approach by placing a single sensor inside the container and rotating the container itself. This allows one sensor to capture radiation data from all spatial directions by changing the container's orientation during measurement, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple functions: it holds the medication product and simultaneously acts as a rotating measurement platform for the radiation sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting structures and reduces the overall number of components required in the measurement system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor devices are permanently installed at fixed positions to increase measurement accuracy, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional measurement setup by placing the sensor inside the container rather than installing multiple sensors around the container. This single-sensor internal configuration reduces component costs and simplifies manufacturing while achieving comprehensive radiation measurement through container rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system uses a replica or model container equipped with the sensor to simulate and measure radiation exposure conditions. This allows accurate measurement without requiring multiple actual product containers or complex industrial-grade sensor arrays, thereby reducing overall system cost.
3Measurement precision
If stationary sensor devices are installed in the handling device to measure radiation during operation, then radiation measurement is enabled, but the beam geometry cannot be measured accurately enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static sensor installation to dynamic measurement by rotating the container during the measurement process. This dynamic approach allows a single sensor to capture radiation data from multiple angles and positions, accurately reproducing the beam geometry and achieving comprehensive spatial measurement coverage without requiring multiple fixed sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The container itself performs the measurement function by rotating to present different surfaces to the radiation source and sensor. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external measurement apparatus and achieves accurate beam geometry measurement through the container's own motion.
4Measurement precision
If a large number of sensor devices are used to achieve accurate radiation measurement, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement becomes very complex overall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the measurement system by inverting the traditional approach: instead of using multiple sensors to cover all angles, it uses a single sensor inside a rotating container. This inversion reduces the number of components from many sensors to one sensor plus rotation mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple rotational positions, where the container is rotated to different angles and the sensor takes measurements at each position. This temporal segmentation of the measurement process replaces spatial segmentation (multiple simultaneous sensors), reducing hardware complexity while achieving comprehensive measurement coverage.
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 highly accurate and flexible radiation measurement with reduced dependence on angle, minimizing costs and design complexity, while ensuring precise determination of radiation exposure on medication containers during handling.
Implementation Method 1
sensor device for measuring in particular electromagnetic radiation (3), especially infrared radiation, UV radiation and visible light, with at least one sensor element (5)
Implementation Method 2
the energy supply unit (29) is configured as a solar cell
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device for measuring radiation, in particular infrared radiation, UV radiation and/or visible light, having at least one sensor element, an energy supply unit for the sensor element, and an at least partially cylindrical container with a middle axis, wherein a container wall of the container is configured to be at least partially transparent, wherein the container is configured at least partially as a medication container. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor arrangement and a method for measuring the radiation.