Automated Analyzer Probe Cleaning Vacuum Bin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face challenges in efficiently cleaning and drying reagent probes with a wide cleaning range, leading to prolonged processing times and potential reagent contamination due to the need for large amounts of cleaning solution and vacuum suction, which can deteriorate vacuum tank performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vacuum bin that temporarily stores cleaning solution waste, combined with a solenoid valve system to manage vacuum pressure and discharge cleaning solution efficiently, allowing for simultaneous suction and discharge operations to minimize waste entry into the vacuum tank and enhance cleaning speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large amount of cleaning solution is used to clean the reagent probe from bottom to lid, then the cleaning range is extended, but the time required for cleaning and drying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into multiple phases: initial cleaning with cleaning solution, vacuum suction to remove excess liquid, and rapid drying phase. This segmentation allows thorough cleaning of the entire probe surface while reducing total processing time by efficiently transitioning between cleaning and drying stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism uses periodic action by alternately supplying cleaning solution and applying vacuum suction in cycles. This periodic operation allows the cleaning solution to penetrate and clean the probe surface thoroughly, then rapidly removes the solution and moisture, enabling both extensive cleaning range and reduced processing time.
2Productivity
If vacuum suction is applied to remove cleaning solution, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the vacuum tank performance deteriorates due to excessive waste liquid entry
Solution Approach 1:
A waste liquid collection container is introduced as an intermediary between the vacuum suction system and the vacuum tank. This intermediary container collects the majority of cleaning solution waste, preventing it from entering the vacuum tank and maintaining vacuum tank performance while still enabling efficient vacuum-assisted cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (excessive cleaning solution waste) is extracted from the system by directing it to a dedicated waste collection container rather than allowing it to enter the vacuum tank. This extraction maintains the beneficial vacuum suction effect for cleaning while protecting the vacuum tank from performance deterioration.
3Ease of operation
If the reagent bottle lid is removed to allow probe access, then the probe can dispense reagent easily, but the reagent deteriorates accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent probe is designed to nest through a notch in the reagent bottle lid, allowing the probe tip to access the reagent interior while the lid remains closed. This nested configuration enables the probe to dispense reagent through the notch opening without requiring lid removal, thus maintaining reagent stability while ensuring operational ease.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid cleaning and drying of reagent probes with a wide cleaning range without adversely affecting the vacuum tank, maintaining high reliability and efficiency in the automatic analyzer's operations.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump (55) connected to a vacuum tank (56) to maintain the inside of the vacuum tank (56) in a negative pressure state
Implementation Method 2
suction of a cleaning solution (waste liquid) discharged during cleaning of a reaction container or a probe is performed using a vacuum pressure of the vacuum tank
Implementation Method 3
discharge the cleaning solution from the vacuum bin using a solenoid valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
There is provided an automatic analyzer that includes a cleaning mechanism that is capable of performing a process from cleaning to drying of a probe in a short time even when a range of cleaning of the probe is wide. An automatic analyzer includes: a cleaning tank 33 into which a probe is insertable and which has a cleaning port provided with suction openings 43a to 43c; a vacuum tank 56; a vacuum pump 55 that causes the vacuum tank to enter a negative pressure state, compared to atmospheric pressure; a vacuum bin 51; a suction nozzle 53 that connects the suction opening of the cleaning port and the vacuum bin; a vacuum nozzle 54 that connects the vacuum tank and the vacuum bin; and a controller. The controller causes the vacuum tank which is in the negative pressure state and the cleaning port to be conducted via the vacuum bin in a period during which a cleaning solution, with which the probe is cleaned, is discharged through the cleaning port.