Conveyor Rack Transfer Car for Faster Specimen Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing specimen transport systems have complex configurations and time-consuming operations due to the use of rack transfer devices for moving racks between sections, complicating the transport process.

Innovation Solution

A specimen transport system featuring a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism on both the preceding and succeeding sections, and a car equipped with a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism, allowing for efficient movement of racks between sections using wheels with a redirection mechanism and belt conveyors, eliminating the need for complex transfer devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rack transfer device is used to move racks between sections, then the specimen transport system can operate, but the configuration becomes complicated and operation becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverack movement operationVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rack transport function directly into the car by equipping it with a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate rack transfer devices that previously mediated between sections, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The car is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both specimen container transport and rack transport capabilities. The conveyor-type rack transport mechanism on the car allows it to perform multiple functions: transporting specimen containers within the car and also transporting racks between sections, eliminating the need for dedicated transfer devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a rack transfer device is used to move racks between sections, then the specimen transport system can operate, but the operating time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport speedVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the rack transport function into the car itself, the system eliminates the time-consuming intermediate transfer steps. The car can directly receive and transport racks between sections using its integrated conveyor mechanism, significantly reducing the time required for rack movement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor-type rack transport mechanism enables continuous operation by allowing racks to be transported seamlessly as the car moves between sections. This eliminates the stop-and-transfer operations that previously caused time losses, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the transport process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If dedicated transfer devices are used for rack movement, then rack transport can be achieved, but the system configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverack transport reliabilityVSAvoidtransfer device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the rack transport function directly into the car's structure through the conveyor-type mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated transfer devices at each section, simplifying the configuration while maintaining reliable rack transport capability through the car's integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transfer devices are used for moving racks, then complete rack transport is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverack movement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The car is designed as a universal platform that can transport both specimen containers and racks. The conveyor-type rack transport mechanism on the car provides adaptable rack movement capability across different sections, eliminating the need for multiple specialized transfer devices and reducing the total number of components in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20080053790A1Specimen transport system

Publication Date: 2008.03.06 IDS CO LTD

AI summary

A specimen transport system for transporting a specimen, includes, a preceding section, a succeeding section located apart from the preceding section, a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism attached to the preceding section and/or the succeeding section and configured to transport a rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen, and a car configured to travel between the preceding section and the succeeding section and provided with a conveyor-type rack transport mechanism configured to transport the rack capable of holding a plurality of specimen containers which contain the specimen.