Automatic Analyzer Rack Separation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers require significant space and multiple drives to manage stacks of unused and used part racks, leading to inefficiencies in part handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer employs a lift system that raises and lowers stacked part racks while keeping them together, with a part take-out station and a rack recovery station, allowing the uppermost rack to be separated from the others, thereby eliminating the need for lateral storage of used racks and reducing the number of drives required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple drives are used to manage stacks of part racks, then part rack handling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple drives into a single drive that operates the lift. The lift transports both unused part racks (on the platform) and used part racks (on the recovery station) using one drive mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining handling reliability through coordinated operation of the single drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lift drive performs multiple functions: it raises and lowers the platform carrying unused part racks, and it raises and lowers the recovery station carrying used part racks. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drives for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If lateral storage space for used racks is provided, then part rack storage capacity is improved, but area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from lateral storage to vertical storage by positioning the recovery station above the platform in the vertical dimension. Used part racks are stored on the recovery station which is raised by the lift, utilizing the vertical space rather than requiring additional horizontal area for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The used part racks are nested within the vertical space above the platform, with the recovery station positioned in the upper region. This nesting approach allows storage of used racks without occupying the horizontal space that would be needed for lateral storage arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If separate storage areas for unused and used racks are provided, then part handling organization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the part rack handling system into distinct functional areas: the platform for unused part racks and the recovery station for used part racks. These segmented areas are vertically separated, allowing organized handling and storage while using a single lift mechanism to service both areas, thus reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of separating unused and used rack storage horizontally (laterally), the patent uses vertical separation through the lift mechanism. The platform and recovery station are positioned at different vertical levels, providing clear organizational separation while consolidating the drive system into a single vertical transport mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An automatic analyzer (100) for analyzing samples using disposable parts is disclosed. The automatic analyzer (100) comprises a lift (102), a part take-out station (108) and a rack recovery station (110).The rack recovery station (110) is arranged above the part take-out station (108). The lift (102) is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks (104) to the part take-out station (108) while keeping the part racks (104) together and to the rack recovery station (110) while keeping the part racks (104) together.The part take-out station (108) comprises a first rack separator (112) configured to prevent the up- permost one of said stacked part racks (104) from being lowered when said lift (102) low- ers, while allowing the other part racks (104) to lower, so that the uppermost rack (104) is separated from the other part racks (104) so as to remain in the part take-out station (108). The rack recovery station (110) comprises a second rack separator (144) configured to pre- vent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks (104) from being lowered when said lift (102) lowers, while allowing the other part racks (104) to lower, so that the uppermost rack (104) is separated from the other part racks (104) so as to remain in the rack recovery station (110).