Automatic Analyzer Arm Layout for High-Density Reagent Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in improving analysis processing capacity per unit space due to the large size caused by the separation of stirring and reagent dispensing units, and low rigidity of arms affects analysis accuracy at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a reagent container with an upper opening, a first arm rotating around a first shaft with a tip accessing the container, and a second arm rotating around a second shaft, featuring a recess on the side closer to the first arm's tip to face the second arm, ensuring minimal interference and maintaining structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stirring paddle and reagent dispensing probe are positioned at distant locations to enable simultaneous operation, then the time lag between stirring and dispensing is reduced, but the analyzer size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the stirring paddle and reagent dispensing probe in the vertical dimension (upper sides of reagent containers) rather than spreading them out horizontally. This allows both components to operate simultaneously at distant positions without increasing the analyzer's footprint area, resolving the contradiction between throughput and analyzer size.
2Productivity
If the arm operates at high speed to improve processing capacity, then productivity increases, but the rigidity of the arm decreases leading to reduced stopping accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recess at a specific location on the arm (closer to the tip than the shaft and facing the other arm). This localized structural modification allows the arm to maintain overall rigidity for high-speed operation while providing a specific region that reduces interference between arms, enabling precise stopping accuracy during high-speed operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the arm structure is made more rigid to improve stopping accuracy, then manufacturing precision improves, but the analysis processing capacity per unit space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the nesting principle by forming a recess within the arm structure itself, rather than adding external support structures. The recess is integrated into the arm's design, allowing the arm to maintain rigidity for precise stopping while the nested recess structure reduces interference between arms during high-speed operation, thereby improving processing capacity per unit space.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automatic analyzer with improved analysis accuracy and analysis processing capacity per unit space. The automatic analyzer includes a reagent container with an opening on an upper side, a first arm that rotates centering around a first shaft, a tip of the first arm accessing to the upper side of the reagent container, and a second arm that rotates centering around a second shaft, a tip of the second arm accessing to the upper side of the reagent container. A recess is formed on a side that is closer to the tip of the first arm than the first shaft and that faces the second arm.