Sparse Hall Sensor Tracking for Liquid Handler Vessel Movers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid handler systems utilize a large number of Hall effect sensors, leading to increased costs and computational complexity, and there is a need for a simplified sensing approach to track vessel movers efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Implement a sparse sensor assembly with Hall effect sensors positioned such that their signals do not overlap beyond a threshold of 6 dB, using a control system to determine the vessel mover's position based on signal strength and distance from each sensor, and employ methods like extended Kalman filtering to fuse signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of Hall effect sensors are used to track vessel movers, then tracking robustness is improved, but system cost and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential sensing capability needed for tracking, removing redundant sensors. By using a sparse array of Hall effect sensors with non-overlapping sensing ranges, the system maintains tracking functionality while reducing sensor quantity from conventional dense arrays to minimal necessary sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple independent sensing zones, each covered by a single Hall effect sensor. The vessel mover's position is determined by identifying which segment's sensor detects the magnet, eliminating the need for continuous overlapping sensor coverage throughout the entire track.
2Reliability
If a large number of Hall effect sensors are used to track vessel movers, then tracking robustness is improved, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential computational function needed for tracking - determining which sensor's non-overlapping zone contains the vessel mover. This eliminates complex signal processing and multiplexing operations, reducing computational energy to simple sensor identification and position calculation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If Hall effect sensors are positioned with overlapping sensing ranges, then tracking continuity is improved, but sensor quantity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The track is divided into discrete sensing segments where each Hall effect sensor covers a specific zone without overlapping with adjacent sensors. The vessel mover transitions from one segment to the next, and the system determines position by identifying the active segment, maintaining continuous tracking through segment boundaries without requiring overlapping sensor fields.
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
Reduces sensor costs and computational complexity while maintaining accurate tracking of vessel movers, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of liquid handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of Hall effect sensors positioned along the track system, which are configured to detect a magnet positioned with the vessel mover
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of tracking vessel movers within a liquid handler system using sparse sensor assemblies. The method includes mapping received sensor signals to pre-characterized functions and determining the positions of the vessel movers with respect to a single sensor from the sensor assembly accordingly. The sensors in the sparse sensor assembly can be positioned to have no or minimal overlap between their sensing ranges.