Blocking and Disengagement Mechanism for Liquid Sample Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid sample analysis systems lack a mechanism to securely maintain the collection device in place during analysis, leading to potential longitudinal displacement and inaccuracies in measurement.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a blocking and disengagement device that includes a disengagement member and a blocking member to immobilize the collection device within the analysis device, ensuring it remains securely positioned during analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no blocking mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the collection device may undergo longitudinal displacement during analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is pre-positioned within the housing to engage with the collection device before analysis begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the collection device is inserted, it is automatically secured against longitudinal displacement without requiring additional blocking actions during the analysis process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the collection device. It provides a mechanical interface that transfers and maintains the positional relationship, preventing direct contact and potential displacement between the housing and the collection device while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a blocking member is added to prevent displacement, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is pre-configured in the housing to automatically engage with the collection device upon insertion. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the collection device is secured in the correct position before analysis begins, thereby guaranteeing measurement precision without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is designed to automatically engage with the collection device through its own structural features (such as engagement protrusions or friction surfaces) without requiring external actuation. The collection device itself facilitates its own positioning by interacting with the pre-positioned blocking member, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3317017B1Device for the analysis of a liquid sample comprising a blocking and unblocking element
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 AVALUN
  • EP3317017B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3317017B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3317017B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for analysing a liquid sample suitable for engaging with a collection device (200), comprising a housing having a through-opening leading into a recess suitable for receiving the collection device and extending away from the opening along an insertion axis of the collection device. The apparatus comprises a locking and withdrawal device (130) suitable for holding in a locking position the collection device thus inserted into the recess, which comprises a withdrawal member (132) suitable for exerting an ejection force on the collection device, in a direction oriented towards the opening of the recess; and a locking member (140) including at least one abutment portion capable of immobilising the collection device thus subjected to the ejection force along the longitudinal axis of the recess.