Automatic analysis device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analysis devices lack a reliable and easy-to-use structure for mounting reagent containers, leading to inefficiencies when reagents need to be replaced during analysis.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a reagent container loading portion with radially arranged guide grooves and a movable reagent container transport tool, featuring an elevating and lowering mechanism, and a shielding member to facilitate easy and secure insertion and removal of reagent containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a loading system is provided on a fixed disk to allow independent reagent container changes, then reagent replacement becomes possible during analysis, but the device structure becomes complex and operator reliability is not ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent replacement capabilityVSAvoidloading system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reagent container transport tool is made movable between elevated and lowered positions, allowing dynamic access to the reagent container loading portion. This enables operator intervention when needed while maintaining automation during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reagent container transport tool and shielding member are extracted as separate, movable components from the fixed disk structure. This extraction allows the loading system to be simplified while maintaining the capability for independent reagent container changes, reducing device complexity while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the reagent container transport tool is always accessible, then operator can easily replace reagents, but contamination risk increases and device reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent container accessVSAvoidcontamination prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member dynamically covers the reagent container loading portion when the transport tool is in the lowered position, preventing contamination. When the transport tool is elevated, the shielding member moves away to allow operator access. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If guide grooves are arranged radially on the loading portion, then reagent container insertion is facilitated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent container insertionVSAvoidloading portion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radially arranged guide grooves create equipotential pathways that naturally guide reagent containers into the correct positions on the transport tool. This passive guiding mechanism reduces the need for complex active positioning systems, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 allows operators to reliably and efficiently add or replace reagents, reducing downtime and improving overall analysis efficiency by simplifying the reagent mounting process.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerator (105) having in its upper portion an opening (106) that allows the reagent container transport tool (210) to pass therethrough, the refrigerator (105) being adapted to cool a plurality of reagent containers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3203242B1Automatic analysis device
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3203242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3203242B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3203242B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is an automatic analysis device with a structure that allows the operator to reliably and easily perform an operation of adding a reagent or replacing a reagent with a new one. The device includes a reagent container loading portion 201 having an opening 202 through which a reagent container 101 is adapted to be introduced into the device; a reagent container transport tool having arranged radially thereon a plurality of reagent container insertion slots, the reagent container transport tool being movable up and down; a refrigerator having in its upper portion an opening that allows the reagent container transport tool to pass therethrough, the refrigerator being adapted to cool a plurality of reagent containers; and an elevating and lowering mechanism configured to elevate or lower the reagent container transport tool. The reagent container loading portion has a plurality of guide grooves 205 arranged radially on its lower surface in front of the opening, each guide groove 205 being adapted to guide a reagent container, and the guide grooves communicate with the respective reagent container insertion slots arranged radially on the reagent container transport tool at an elevated position.