Aspirating Tube Holder Guide Alignment Reagent Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample analyzers have complex configurations that complicate the alignment of aspirating tubes with reagent containers, and there is a risk of user contamination during reagent replacement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates guided portions and retainer configurations that allow for simple alignment of aspirating tubes with reagent containers, and uses cover portions to prevent user contact with the tubes during replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rotation mechanism is used to align the reagent container with the aspirating tube, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent container retainer is designed with guided portions that automatically guide the aspirating tube into the reagent container when the retainer is rotated by the user. The system uses the rotation motion itself to achieve alignment, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms. The guided portions on the retainer and corresponding guide structures on the aspirating tube work together to ensure accurate positioning through the rotation action alone.
2Ease of operation
If the aspirating tube is exposed during reagent container replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent container retainer serves as an intermediary component that holds the aspirating tube and guides it into the reagent container. The retainer acts as a protective intermediary, allowing the user to handle and rotate the entire assembly without directly touching the aspirating tube. The guided portions on the retainer ensure that the aspirating tube is properly positioned and protected during the replacement operation, reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of use.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample analyzer comprises a reagent container setting part configured to install a reagent-container retainer for retaining a reagent container having an opening, an aspirating tube configured to aspirate a reagent in the reagent container, and an aspirating tube holder configured to hold the aspirating tube. The aspirating tube holder includes a cover, the cover having an open portion provided from a bottom face thereof to a side face thereof, the cover covering the aspirating tube with a region thereof other than the open portion. The aspirating tube holder includes a guide portion configured to guide the aspirating tube holder relative to the reagent-container retainer such that the aspirating tube holder is allowed to reach a state where the aspirating tube has entered the reagent container or a state where the aspirating tube has retreated from the reagent container.