Test Tube Labeling Apparatus Using Rotation Angle Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test tube labeling apparatuses are limited in their ability to accurately identify and label various types of test tubes due to reliance on specific dimensions and colors, restricting the use of test tubes from different manufacturers and potentially leading to incorrect labeling.
Innovation Solution
A test tube labeling apparatus that includes a body with a seating portion, a rotation driving unit, a contact sensor, an angle sensor, and a label attaching device, where the processor identifies the test tube by considering its outer diameter, total length, and cap color, allowing for the attachment of accurate labels based on stored identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If test tube identification is based only on cap color and total length, then the identification process is simple, but the types of test tubes that can be used are limited and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The labeling apparatus is designed to accommodate multiple identification methods (cap color detection, total length measurement, and outer diameter measurement) to handle various types of test tubes from different manufacturers. The seating portion can rotate to different angles depending on the test tube type, and the system can selectively use different identification parameters, making the device universal for diverse test tube specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds outer diameter measurement as an additional dimension to the identification process. Instead of relying solely on cap color and total length, the apparatus now measures three parameters (cap color, total length, and outer diameter), creating a more comprehensive identification space that can distinguish between more test tube types while maintaining systematic control.
2Measurement precision
If test tube identification uses multiple parameters (outer diameter, total length, cap color), then identification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is divided into separate functional modules: a cap color detection unit, a total length measurement unit, and an outer diameter measurement unit. Each module independently measures one parameter, and the processor integrates these measurements. This segmentation allows for high measurement precision while keeping each individual component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensors (color sensor, length measurement sensor, diameter measurement sensor) and integrates this information to identify the test tube. This intermediary approach allows the system to combine multiple measurement parameters without requiring complex direct integration between sensors, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high identification accuracy.
3Productivity
If manual labeling is performed, then device complexity is low, but workload is high and accuracy may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The labeling apparatus performs self-identification of test tubes by automatically measuring their parameters (cap color, total length, outer diameter) and determining the appropriate label without human intervention. The system feeds itself the information needed to make labeling decisions, eliminating the need for manual test tube specification input while maintaining high productivity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual process of visually identifying test tubes and selecting appropriate labels is replaced with an automated system using sensors and processors. Optical sensors detect cap color, mechanical sensors measure dimensions, and a computer processor automatically determines the correct label, substituting human cognitive and manual labor with automated detection and decision-making systems, thereby increasing productivity while managing device complexity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A test tube labeling apparatus (100) for attaching a label (20) to a test tube (10) including a tube (12) and a cap (11) fastened to the tube , which includes a body (101); a seating portion (200) where test tubes inserted into the test tube labeling apparatus are seated and at least a portion of the seating portion is formed to correspond to the outer appearance of the test tube; a rotation driving unit (240) that rotates the seating portion relative to the body in response to the test tube being seated on the seating portion; a contact sensor (230) that is rotatably fixed with respect to the body at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the seating portion and detects a contact with the test tube seated in the seating portion; an angle sensor (210) for measuring rotation angle information of the rotation driving unit; a label attaching device (300) located inside the body and attaching a label to the test tube; and a processor operatively coupled to the rotation driving unit (240), the contact sensor (230), the angle sensor (210), and the label attaching device (300), wherein the contact sensor generates a contact signal when the test tube contacts with the contact sensor because of rotation of the seating portion, the angle sensor generates rotation angle information of the angle at which the rotation driving unit has rotated during a period from the time when the rotation driving unit starts driving the rotation in response to the test tube being seated on the seating portion to the time when the contact sensor generates a contact signal, and the processor receives the rotation angle information generated by the angle sensor, identifies the outer diameter information of the test tube based on the received rotation angle information, identifies the test tube by comparing the identified outer diameter information with the test tube identification information stored in advance, identifies the labeling information corresponding to the identified test tube, and controls the labeling apparatus so that the label printed with the identified test tube labeling information may be attached to the identified test tube.