Cylindrical QC Specimen Storage With Oblique Container Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in efficiently storing and handling quality control specimens (QC specimens) due to issues such as specimen deterioration, contamination, evaporation, and limited throughput, while also requiring a compact design to fit within automated analysis systems.
Innovation Solution
A container storage device with a housing featuring a first conveyance path and a cylindrical storage chamber, utilizing an oblique second conveyance path to maximize storage capacity and minimize width, along with a cooling system to maintain specimen integrity and a modular design for integration with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional storage chamber design is used, then the device width is larger, but the storage capacity is limited and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging containers in a three-dimensional cylindrical storage chamber rather than a conventional planar layout. Containers are positioned radially around a central axis, utilizing vertical and radial dimensions to maximize storage capacity while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing multiple containers within a compact cylindrical chamber, where containers are arranged concentrically and radially to optimize space utilization. The cylindrical geometry allows for efficient packing of containers in a nested configuration, increasing storage density without proportionally increasing device width.
2Reliability
If QC specimens are stored without cooling, then the device structure is simpler, but specimen deterioration occurs due to evaporation and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled environment within the storage chamber by implementing a cooling system that maintains a stable, low-temperature atmosphere. This cooled environment acts as a protective inert atmosphere that prevents evaporation and reduces contamination risks, thereby preserving specimen integrity without requiring complex sealed containers or additional protective measures for each specimen.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains specimen integrity by preventing deterioration, reduces evaporation rates, and creates a stable environment that minimizes contamination. This multi-functional approach preserves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single cooling mechanism addresses multiple preservation needs.
3Device complexity
If a straight conveyance path is used, then the container transfer mechanism is simpler, but the device width increases and miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional straight conveyance path to a three-dimensional oblique path. The conveyance mechanism moves containers along an inclined trajectory that utilizes vertical elevation changes, allowing the container to be transferred from the conveyance path to the storage chamber without requiring a wide horizontal clearance. This vertical component of the oblique path enables miniaturization while maintaining conveyance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved and oblique conveyance paths instead of straight linear paths. The oblique conveyance mechanism follows a curved trajectory that efficiently utilizes the three-dimensional space within the cylindrical storage chamber, reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining the necessary transfer functionality. This curved path approach minimizes device width without significantly increasing mechanism complexity.
4Productivity
If multiple operations are performed sequentially, then the control system is simpler, but the processing throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by enabling multiple conveyance and storage operations to proceed simultaneously rather than sequentially. The control system coordinates multiple containers being conveyed and stored at the same time, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the system. This parallel processing approach increases productivity by eliminating idle time between operations while the control system manages multiple operations through coordinated timing and resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning containers on the conveyance path and pre-cooling the storage chamber environment before specimens are transferred. This preparatory work is done in advance, allowing the actual transfer and storage operations to proceed quickly and efficiently. By performing preliminary actions, the system reduces the time required for critical operations and increases overall throughput without requiring complex real-time control interventions.
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
The solution enables stable long-term storage of QC specimens, increases storage capacity, reduces device width for miniaturization, and enhances processing efficiency by allowing simultaneous operations, thus improving the overall performance of automatic analyzers.
Implementation Method 1
it is desirable to perform storage by cooling QC specimens in a sealed case at the time of storage
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a container storage device, an analysis system, and a container transfer method. The container storage device can store QC specimen containers stably for a long period of time by cooling the QC specimen containers and increase the number of sample containers capable of being stored in a storage chamber, and is reduced in size by reducing the size particularly in a width direction. The container storage device includes: a housing which has a first side surface and a pair of second side surfaces respectively extending from both ends of the first side surface; a first conveyance path which is formed along the first side surface and through which a plurality of containers containing a liquid are conveyable; a cylindrical storage chamber surrounded by the first conveyance path and the pair of second side surfaces and configured to store the plurality of containers; and a second conveyance path through which the containers are conveyable between a first reception position on the first conveyance path and a second reception position in the storage chamber. A straight line connecting the first reception position and the second reception position in a plan view is formed obliquely to the first conveyance path.