Automatic Analysis Device Type-Based Expendable Item Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic analysis devices face challenges in safely and efficiently sorting and discarding various types of expendable items, particularly those that have handled biological samples, as existing technologies do not adequately address the need for separate disposal due to differences in shape, material, and safety considerations.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analysis device is equipped with a common transport mechanism and separate transport paths, along with a type determination portion that identifies the type of expendable item, allowing for selective routing and appropriate disposal through designated ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common transport mechanism is used to transport multiple types of expendable items, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to sort and discard items by type is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport mechanism structureVSAvoidsorting and discarding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transport system into two segments: a common transport mechanism for moving items and separate transport paths for different item types. The determination portion identifies item type and routes items through appropriate paths, enabling sorting without complicating the main transport mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a determination portion as an intermediary that identifies expendable item types and directs them to appropriate transport paths. This mediator enables sorting functionality without requiring the common transport mechanism itself to be complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate transport paths are provided for different item types, then sorting and discarding capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting and discarding capabilityVSAvoidtransport mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the common transport mechanism with separate transport paths, allowing items to be transported universally initially and then diverted to type-specific paths only when needed. This combination maintains simplicity while enabling sorting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The determination portion performs preliminary identification of item types early in the transport process, allowing items to be routed efficiently before reaching the discard stage. This preliminary action prevents last-minute sorting complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If expendable items are collected at one place, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised due to inability to separately discard biological sample items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem collection processVSAvoidbiological sample contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different discard destinations for different item types. Items handling biological samples are routed to specialized discard locations with appropriate safety measures, while other items use general discard areas. This localized differentiation maintains ease of collection while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If a determination portion is added to identify item types, then sorting accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem type identification accuracyVSAvoiddetermination portion structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sorting mechanisms with a determination portion that uses optical, magnetic, or other non-mechanical fields to identify item types. This substitution achieves high identification accuracy without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3657177B1Automatic analysis device

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

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AI summary

There is provided an automatic analysis device that can appropriately sort and discard expendable items. The automatic analysis device includes a common transport mechanism 114 that transports a plurality of types of expendable items by common mechanism, a plurality of transport paths that is provided separately from the common transport mechanism 114, a type determination portion 122 that determines the type of expendable item being transported by the common transport mechanism 114. The automatic analysis device controls to select one of a plurality of transport paths according to a determination result of the type determination portion 122 and to transport the expendable items transported from the common transport mechanism 114 via the selected transport path.