Compact Drawer Mechanism for Automatic Analysis Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic analysis apparatuses face limitations in reducing the size of the drawer due to the arrangement of pulleys and belts, which restricts the movement of the disposal box and increases the thickness of the driving portion, making it difficult to efficiently dispose of used sample dispensing tips or reaction vessels.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a driving mechanism with a first rail and a second rail that support the operating unit and the vessel, respectively, and a toothed belt system that operates within a horizontal plane, allowing for a more compact design and increased movement of the disposal box without overlapping components, enabling easier disposal through a front opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a belt pulley is arranged inside the housing further than the opening, then the vessel can be transported to the front side, but a protruding overhang portion is required which increases the depth dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement from a single linear dimension to multiple dimensions by placing the first belt pulley on the front surface and the second belt pulley on the rear surface, allowing the belt to wrap around both surfaces and achieve greater movement without increasing depth
2Ease of operation
If the belt pulley rotates within a vertical plane, then the vessel can be transported, but the driving portion requires thickness more than or equal to the diameter of the belt pulley
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotation plane from vertical to horizontal, allowing the belt pulleys to rotate side-by-side rather than stacked vertically, thereby reducing the thickness requirement of the driving portion
3Ease of manufacture
If the disposal box is taken out to the outside of the apparatus, then used sample dispensing tips or reaction vessels can be disposed, but the structure becomes complex and size reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the disposal box with the drawer assembly, allowing the disposal box to be integrated into the moving drawer structure rather than being a separate component, thereby simplifying the overall structure
Data Source
AI summary
A driving mechanism for moving a vessel having a disposal box placed thereon in a front-rear direction the same as an opening/closing direction of a drawer is provided lower than a bottom surface of the vessel. A first rail extended in a movement direction of an operating unit, a second rail extended in a movement direction of the vessel provided in the drawer, and toothed pulleys for rotating a toothed belt within a horizontal plane are arranged. The first rail, the second rail, and the toothed belt are placed side by side without overlapping with each other in a vertical direction. As a result, the operation of taking out the disposal box in which used sample dispensing tips or reaction vessels are accumulated is simple.