Specimen Container Support and Nozzle Cover for Compact Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis devices face challenges in preventing foreign substances from entering the gap between the nozzle and specimen container while maintaining a compact device size, due to the inclusion of rotating bodies that increase device size.
Innovation Solution
The analysis device incorporates a movable holding member, a vertically adjustable support member, and a cover mechanism that adjusts to accommodate specimen containers of varying heights, ensuring a small configuration by minimizing the gap between the nozzle and container ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating body with first and second portions is used to prevent foreign substance entry, then safety is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotating body component entirely and replaces it with a cover structure that prevents foreign substance entry. This extraction of the unnecessary rotating mechanism while maintaining safety functionality directly resolves the contradiction between safety and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an active rotating body to block foreign substances, the patent inverts the approach by using a passive cover structure that inherently prevents entry. This inversion eliminates the need for complex moving parts while achieving the same protective function.
2Reliability
If the nozzle is positioned close to the specimen container to minimize gap, then foreign substance prevention is improved, but accommodation of various container heights becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable holding member that can adjust its position vertically to accommodate specimen containers of different heights. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain an appropriately small gap between the nozzle and container regardless of container height variations, thus preserving foreign substance prevention while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the holding member to adapt to different container heights. By adjusting this positional parameter, the gap between the nozzle and container can be optimized for each specific container type, maintaining both safety and adaptability.
3Reliability
If a cover is added to prevent foreign substance entry, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover function with the existing holding member structure. The cover is integrated into the holding member rather than being a separate component, which prevents foreign substance entry while avoiding additional structural complexity. This merging approach maintains simplicity while achieving enhanced safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
An analysis device, includes: a device main body; a holding member that holds a specimen container movably between an approach position, which is close to the device main body, and a separation position, which is horizontally separated from the device main body; a nozzle that is supported at a front side of the device main body so as to be movable between a collection position, where the nozzle enters the specimen container at the approach position from above to collect a specimen inside the specimen container, and a retraction position, where the nozzle retracts above the specimen container; a cover that covers the nozzle, at the retraction position, at the front side; and a support member that is provided at the holding member so as to be positionally adjustable in a vertical direction and that supports the specimen container.