Automatic Analyzer Probe Lifting for Efficient Discharge Stirring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers face inefficiencies in liquid stirring due to poor liquid level control and flow around the probe tip during discharge operations.

Innovation Solution

The automatic analyzer lifts the probe while discharging the specimen or reagent, increasing the distance between the liquid level in the vessel and the probe tip end, thereby enhancing liquid stirring efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the probe discharges liquid while immersed in the liquid (conventional method), then liquid scattering is prevented, but stirring efficiency is poor due to insufficient liquid flow around the probe tip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid scatteringVSAvoidstirring efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

a probe starts to discharge a specimen to a vessel, after the probe starts to discharge the specimen, the probe is lifted while discharging the specimen or a reagent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

the probe discharges a liquid while the probe is immersed in a liquid of several millimeters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the probe is lifted while discharging to increase liquid level height, then stirring efficiency is improved, but the distance between liquid level and probe tip increases which may affect discharge precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestirring efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

a height of a liquid level of a liquid in the vessel discharged from the probe increases, and a distance between the liquid level in the vessel and a tip end of the probe gradually increases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method efficiently stirs the liquid during discharge, reducing the need for additional stirring mechanisms and improving analysis performance by minimizing liquid scattering and enhancing processing capacity.

Implementation Method 1

after a probe starts to discharge a specimen to a vessel, the probe is lifted while discharging the specimen or a reagent, so that a height of a liquid level of a liquid in the vessel discharged from the probe increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12405285B2Automatic analyzer
Publication Date: 2025.09.02 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • US12405285B2 patent drawing
  • US12405285B2 patent drawing
  • US12405285B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of efficiently performing stirring by a discharge operation. In the automatic analyzer according to the present invention, by lifting the probe while discharging a specimen or a reagent alter the probe starts to discharge the specimen to a vessel, as a height of a liquid level of the liquid in the vessel, which is discharged from the probe, is gradually raised, a distance between the liquid level in the vessel and a tip end of the probe is gradually increased.