Automated Analyzer Consumable Supply Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automated analyzers require complex mechanisms and significant space for consumable storage and transport, limiting design flexibility and causing delays due to consumable shortages, which can suspend measurement operations.
Innovation Solution
An automated analyzer with a simplified consumable supply system that includes a consumable storage container, a preliminary storage portion, and a transport mechanism, allowing for continuous operation and user-accessible consumable replacement without interrupting measurement processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex transport mechanism with feeding elevators and rack separation stations is used to supply consumables, then the consumable supply reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the consumable storage container from the complex automated transport system and places it in a position accessible to the user. The transport mechanism only needs to supply consumables from this externally accessible container, rather than managing the entire consumable storage and retrieval system. This separation reduces the complexity of the automated mechanisms while maintaining supply reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can supply consumables from the storage container to the analysis unit, and it can also accommodate user intervention to replace or replenish consumables. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If many complicated mechanisms are used for consumable replacement, then the consumable supply capability is improved, but the internal mechanism layout freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable supply system is segmented into two independent parts: a storage container that can be accessed by the user, and a transport mechanism that handles the actual supply to the analysis unit. This segmentation allows the transport mechanism to be simpler and more flexible in layout, as it only needs to handle the transfer function rather than managing entire storage and retrieval operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the transport mechanism is disabled during user consumable supply, then the user safety is improved, but the measurement work is suspended
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a storage container with consumables ready for use, positioned where the user can access it without interfering with the analysis unit. The transport mechanism can prepare and stage consumables in advance, allowing the user to perform replacement operations without interrupting the ongoing measurement work. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to suspend measurements for safety during consumable supply.
4Productivity
If consumables are stored in large numbers in the apparatus, then the measurement work continuity is improved, but the apparatus size and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of the consumable storage function from the main apparatus by providing a user-accessible storage container positioned outside the analysis unit. This allows the apparatus to maintain continuity of measurement work by having consumables readily available, without requiring all consumables to be stored within the apparatus volume. The user can replenish the storage container without increasing the apparatus size.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated analyzer capable of continuously performing supply of consumables is realized while continuing measurement is performed, by a simple and small amount of mechanism. An automated analyzer includes a unit that executes processing necessary for sample analysis; a consumable supply unit that supplies consumables necessary for the sample analysis to the unit; and a control device that controls operations of the unit and the consumable supply unit, in which the consumable supply unit includes a consumable container holding portion that holds a consumable storage container in which consumables is aligned and accommodated, a preliminary storage portion that temporarily holds the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container, and a transport mechanism that transports the consumables to the unit, and in which the control device transports and stores at least a portion of the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container in the preliminary storage portion.