Automatic Analyzer Channel Cleaning with Return-Loop Detergent Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers require frequent manual channel cleaning by skilled service personnel, posing safety risks and increasing operational costs due to the need for high-capacity cleaning liquids, and there is a demand for simplified and automated maintenance solutions.

Innovation Solution

An automatic analyzer equipped with a water supply unit, return channel, and computer-controlled solenoid valves that automatically mix and distribute cleaning liquid, allowing users to perform channel cleaning operations safely and efficiently without manual concentration adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-capacity cleaning liquid is used for channel cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but operational safety deteriorates and requires skilled personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically preparing and circulating cleaning liquid through the channel. The computer controls the pump to circulate cleaning liquid from the water supply tank through the channel and back, enabling automated cleaning without requiring skilled personnel to manually handle hazardous chemicals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The computer acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous cleaning liquid. Instead of operators directly handling high-capacity cleaning liquid, the computer automatically controls the pump and valves to manage the cleaning liquid circulation, eliminating direct human exposure to harmful chemicals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual channel cleaning is performed by service personnel, then cleaning quality is improved, but operational costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically executing the cleaning process. The computer controls the pump to circulate cleaning liquid through the channel and automatically manages the cleaning liquid preparation, eliminating the need for service personnel to perform manual cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically preparing the cleaning liquid in the water supply tank before the cleaning process begins. The computer controls the pump to circulate cleaning liquid through the channel, ensuring the cleaning process is ready to execute without requiring service personnel to perform manual preparation and execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cleaning liquid concentration is manually adjusted, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidmaintenance operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing cleaning liquid concentration. The computer controls the pump to circulate cleaning liquid through the channel and automatically manages the concentration adjustment process, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust cleaning liquid concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The computer acts as an intermediary that automatically manages cleaning liquid concentration. Instead of operators manually adjusting concentration, the computer controls the pump and circulation system to automatically manage the cleaning liquid properties, simplifying the operation for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables users to perform channel cleaning maintenance independently, reducing operational risks and costs while ensuring accurate and efficient cleaning without the need for skilled personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a water supply pump for supplying a liquid held in the water supply tank to the analysis unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

connected to the water supply tank... to return the liquid supplied from the water supply pump to the water supply tank through the return channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the computer mixes the water in the water supply tank with the detergent by blocking liquid supply from the channel to a mechanism of the analysis unit to return the liquid supplied from the water supply pump to the water supply tank through the return channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCirculation mixing: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4685495A1Automatic analysis device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4685495A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685495A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685495A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic analyzer 10 includes: an analysis unit 11; a water supply unit 12 including a water supply tank 115, and a water supply pump 114 for supplying the liquid held in the water supply tank to the analysis unit; and a computer 118 for controlling the analysis unit and the water supply unit, wherein the water supply unit includes a return channel 117 branched from the channel between the water supply pump and the analysis unit, and connected to the water supply tank, and after detergent is put into the water supply tank, the computer mixes the water in the water supply tank with the detergent by blocking liquid supply from the channel to a mechanism of the analysis unit to return the liquid supplied from the water supply pump through the return channel to the water supply tank. There is provided an automatic analyzer capable of reducing user involvement in channel cleaning maintenance.