Automated Analyzer Lid Opening Mechanism With Angled Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated analyzers require complex mechanisms to open and close multiple reagent bottle lids simultaneously, which is unnecessary when high processing capability and speed are not required, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lid opening and closing mechanism using a single arm with a pushing bar to open and close reagent bottle lids individually, reducing the number of drives required and allowing for selective operation of each lid, while maintaining efficiency in opening and closing multiple lids when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a complex mechanism with multiple drives is used to open and close multiple reagent bottle lids simultaneously, then high processing capability and speed are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lid opening/closing function into individual controllable units. Each reagent bottle lid can be opened and closed independently through separate drive mechanisms, allowing selective operation based on processing needs rather than requiring all lids to be operated simultaneously by a complex coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs drive mechanisms that can dynamically adjust their operation. The drives can be selectively activated or deactivated depending on which lids need to be opened or closed at any given time, enabling the system to scale its complexity according to actual processing requirements rather than maintaining maximum complexity continuously.
2Device complexity
If a simple mechanism with fewer drives is used to open and close reagent bottle lids individually, then device complexity is reduced, but processing capability for simultaneous operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the drive mechanisms to be multi-functional. Each drive can serve multiple purposes: opening lids, closing lids, and can be selectively activated for different bottles. This universal design allows the simpler individual drives to collectively achieve simultaneous operation capability when needed, without requiring a completely different complex mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If multiple drives are provided for each hook to control opening and closing of multiple reagent bottle lids, then selective control of individual lids is achieved, but the number of drives and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into independent modular units. Each reagent bottle lid has its own dedicated drive mechanism that can be independently controlled, enabling selective operation of individual lids without requiring a complex centralized control system with multiple interconnected drives.
4Device complexity
If a simplified mechanism is used for opening and closing lids, then cost is reduced, but the ability to maintain high performance when multiple lids need simultaneous operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal drive mechanisms that can perform multiple functions. Each drive is designed to handle both opening and closing operations for its associated lid, and can be selectively activated to achieve simultaneous operations across multiple bottles when needed, maintaining high performance without requiring overly complex specialized mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
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Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
Provided is a technique that opening and closing of a lid of a container such as a reagent bottle before and after dispensing or the like can be realized using a simpler structure and fewer numbers of drives than the related art regarding an automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a container installation portion in which a container (reagent bottle 3) having a protrusion 3B and an openable and closable lid 3A is installed and a lid opening and closing mechanism portion 4 for opening and closing the lid 3A. The lid opening and closing mechanism portion 4 includes an arm portion including an arm 5 and a horizontal driving portion which moves the arm 5 in a first horizontal direction. The arm 5 includes a protrusion contacting portion 5A. The protrusion contacting portion 5A includes a first surface having an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees when the horizontal surface is set as 0 degrees. The lid opening and closing mechanism portion 4 opens the lid 3A by moving the arm 5 in the first horizontal direction, contacting the protrusion 3B on the first surface of the protrusion contacting portion 5A, and then moving the protrusion 3B along a shape of the first surface in a vertical direction, when the lid 3A is opened.