Closeable Container Holder Transfer for Dense Specimen Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen transfer apparatuses face limitations in miniaturization due to the need for stable operation without collisions between holding sections and specimen containers, restricting the reduction of distance between containers.
Innovation Solution
A container transfer method and apparatus utilizing a holding section that can perform opening/closing, vertical, and horizontal movements, allowing for efficient transfer by moving below the container head, horizontally positioning, closing, and then moving upward, and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding section is moved downward in an opened state directly above the target container, then the container can be grasped reliably, but the distance between specimen containers must be large enough to avoid collision
Solution Approach 1:
The holding section is moved downward to a position below the container head portion before horizontal movement begins. This preliminary positioning action allows the holding section to approach the container from a safe vertical distance, avoiding collision with adjacent containers while maintaining reliable grasping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach dimension from vertical (above the container) to horizontal (below the container head portion). By moving the holding section horizontally at a lower vertical position, the system avoids the collision problem that occurs when approaching from above, thereby reducing the required distance between containers.
2Area of stationary object
If the holding section is moved downward below the container head portion before horizontal movement, then the distance between containers can be reduced, but the operation sequence becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the holding section by coordinating vertical and horizontal movements in a specific sequence. The vertical position is dynamically adjusted to be below the container head portion before horizontal approach, and the holding section opens/closes dynamically during the transfer process. This dynamic operation enables compact container spacing while maintaining operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A container transfer method for transferring a container from a container holder capable of holding a plurality of containers, by using a holding section capable of performing an opening/closing operation, vertical movement, and horizontal movement. The method includes: moving the holding section downward to a position lower than a head portion of the container, at a position where the container is not held in a plan view; horizontally moving the holding section in an opened state, toward a target container on the container holder; after the horizontal movement of the holding section to the target container, closing the holding section with respect to the target container; and moving upward the holding section in a closed state.