Lever Bore Mechanism for Singulating Stirring Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic analysis devices face challenges in reliably and efficiently separating and loading magnetically attractable stirring elements, such as rods and balls, into reaction vessels, due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a lever and bore system that allows for precise centering and separation of stirring elements, utilizing a floating bearing and centering devices to ensure accurate alignment, along with a magnetic actuation system for easy operation and sensors for monitoring the separation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed bearing is used for the lever, then the structure is simple and stable, but the alignment precision between the bore and openings deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is changed from a fixed bearing to a floating bearing, allowing it to move dynamically between first and second positions. This dynamic capability enables the bore to be precisely aligned with either the inlet opening or outlet opening as needed, resolving the alignment precision issue while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a guide device.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide device is introduced as an intermediary component to center the bore under the inlet opening in the first position and over the outlet opening in the second position. This intermediary mechanism ensures precise alignment without requiring complex fixed bearing arrangements, thus improving manufacturing precision while controlling device complexity.
2Productivity
If manual loading of stirring elements is used, then alignment precision can be achieved, but productivity and automation level deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service loading of stirring elements into cuvettes. The lever automatically moves between positions to present stirring elements from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining alignment precision through the floating bearing and guide device mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical loading process is replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of the movable lever, floating bearing, and guide device. This substitution increases productivity and automation level while the guide device ensures that alignment precision is maintained throughout the automated process.
3Productivity
If stirring elements are lined up in a hose for individual removal, then productivity is improved, but reliability of individual separation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the stirring elements by positioning them individually in a hose for linear transport, then uses the movable lever to separate and present them one by one at the outlet opening. This segmentation approach maintains high productivity through continuous linear transport while ensuring reliable individual separation through the lever's position-controlled dispensing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the presence and position of stirring elements in the hose and at the outlet opening. This feedback mechanism ensures that each stirring element is reliably separated and transferred to the correct cuvette, maintaining separation reliability while enabling high-speed automated operation.
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
Enables simple, reliable, and wear-free separation and loading of stirring elements, ensuring accurate and efficient equipping of cuvettes in automatic analysis devices, with minimal manual intervention and high reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a flat surface that can be moved along a predetermined path of movement with at least one permanent magnet attached to the rear
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic actuating device assigned to the lever can be used to move the lever into the first and second positions
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for singulating rod- or spherical stirring elements in an automated analyzer enables rapid and error-resistant singulation and automated loading of cuvettes with the stirring elements. It comprises a lever (14) provided with a bore (24), the bore (24) being configured to accommodate one of the stirring elements. In a first position of the lever (14), the bore (24) is arranged below an inlet opening, and in a second position of the lever (14), the bore (24) is arranged above an outlet opening (32), with the lever (14) closing the inlet opening in the second position.