Automatic Analyzer Magnetic Water Tank Mount for Uplift Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic analyzers face issues with large footprints due to external water supply tanks, difficulty in accessing them for maintenance, and risks of uplift and water leakage, which can lead to erroneous detections and operational interruptions.
Innovation Solution
The water supply tank is attached to the analyzer using a magnetic force between a magnet on the tank's bottom surface and a metal plate on the installation surface, preventing uplift and ensuring easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-based valve mechanism and O-ring are used to prevent water leakage, then water leakage is prevented, but the tank uplifts causing sensor errors and operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a weight member (counterweight) that generates gravitational force to counterbalance the upward forces from the spring valve mechanism and O-ring resistance. This counterweight prevents the water supply tank from uplifting during attachment and detachment operations, eliminating sensor errors and operational interruptions while maintaining reliable water leakage prevention.
2Ease of repair
If the water supply tank is placed outside the analyzer, then maintenance access is improved, but the footprint becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the water supply tank within the analyzer housing, nesting it in an dedicated space. This allows the tank to be easily accessible for maintenance while keeping the overall footprint compact. The tank can be detached and reattached through openings in the housing, providing maintenance access without requiring external placement.
3Reliability
If a screw structure is used to prevent tank uplift, then uplift is prevented, but attachment and detachment become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a magnetic attachment system. Magnets embedded in the tank and corresponding magnetic members in the housing provide uplift prevention through magnetic attraction, enabling rapid attachment and detachment without the time-consuming screw rotation and removal operations.
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 configuration stabilizes the water supply tank, preventing uplift-related issues, reducing the risk of water leakage, and facilitating easy maintenance, while maintaining analysis reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet provided on either one of the bottom surface and the installation surface, and a magnetic member provided on the other of the bottom surface and the installation surface. The water supply tank is fixed to the installation surface by a magnetic force of the magnet and the magnetic member.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
To provide an automatic analyzer capable of preventing uplift at the time of attachment of a water supply tank with a simple structure that facilitates attachment and detachment of the water supply tank to and from the automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer includes: an analysis unit 101; a water supply tank 53 including, on a bottom surface 210 thereof, a water-passing pipe 201 that supplies water to the analysis unit 101; an installation surface 207 on which the water supply tank 53 is installed; a magnet 205 provided on either one of the bottom surface 210 and the installation surface 207; and a metal plate 206 provided on the other of the bottom surface 210 and the installation surface 207, and the water supply tank 53 is fixed to the installation surface 207 by a magnetic force of the magnet 205 and the metal plate 206.