Analyzer Lid Linkage for Light-Shielded Preprocessing Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automatic analyzers, the openable lid for accessing the preprocessing region may be left unattached after maintenance, leading to insufficient light shielding and temperature adjustment, which deteriorates analysis accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer design featuring a rotatable openable lid and a safety cover that ensures the openable lid is automatically closed when the safety cover is closed, maintaining environmental control by integrating a solenoid lock mechanism and a specific opening angle to reduce mechanical stress on the hinge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the openable lid is made removable for easy access during maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining light shielding and temperature adjustment is worsened because the lid may be left unattached
Solution Approach 1:
The openable lid automatically closes itself when the safety cover is closed, eliminating the need for manual intervention to ensure the lid is properly positioned. The system serves itself by using the safety cover's closing motion to drive the lid closed through the linkage mechanism, thereby maintaining the sealed state without requiring operator attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism is designed so that the lid closes in advance or simultaneously with the safety cover, ensuring the preprocessing region is sealed before the safety cover fully closes. This preliminary action prevents any gap or unclosed state from occurring during the safety cover closure process.
2Ease of operation
If the openable lid is kept open for maintenance access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient light shielding and temperature adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic closing mechanism ensures the lid returns to its closed position without requiring manual intervention, thereby automatically restoring the light shielding and temperature adjustment conditions needed for precise measurements after maintenance is completed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage provides immediate feedback when the safety cover is closed, automatically triggering the lid to close as well. This feedback mechanism ensures that the sealed state is restored whenever the safety cover is closed, maintaining the environmental conditions necessary for accurate measurements.
3Reliability
If the openable lid is made rotatable with automatic closing function, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional linkage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism merges the closing actions of two components (openable lid and safety cover) into a single mechanical system. By combining these functions through a linkage, the patent reduces the need for separate actuators or control systems for each component, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the safety cover and the openable lid, transferring the closing motion from the safety cover to the lid. This intermediary mechanism provides a simple mechanical solution that ensures reliable lid closing without requiring complex electronic controls or additional actuators.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of reliably closing an openable lid provided in an opening for accessing a region covered by a cover. An automatic analyzer includes an incubator cover disposed to cover a preprocessing region provided on an operation surface on a housing, an openable lid disposed to openably cover an opening portion provided in the incubator cover in order to access the inside from the outside of the preprocessing region, and a safety cover disposed to cover upper portions of the operation surface and the preprocessing region, and the openable lid is moved to a closed position in association with movement of the safety cover from an opened position to the closed position in a case where the openable lid is at the opened position and the safety cover is at the opened position.