Louvered Waste Chute for Analyzer Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic analysis devices face challenges with contamination risks, increased costs, and error susceptibility due to complex and time-consuming processes for disposing of used consumables like cuvettes and pipette tips, which can lead to liquid splashing and personnel contamination.
Innovation Solution
A waste disposal system with a waste chute featuring a plurality of louvers that partially or fully close the opening, holding consumables in place and preventing liquid splashing, thereby reducing the need for additional mechanical and electrical components and minimizing errors and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrical gripper with multiple parts is used to actively carry out gripping movements for transferring cuvettes, then the cuvette transfer can be performed, but the device complexity increases, costs increase, and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex electrical gripper system from the waste disposal pathway. Instead of using an active multi-part electrical gripper to transfer cuvettes to the waste container, the system allows cuvettes to be passively deposited through a waste chute, eliminating the need for complex gripping mechanisms in the waste disposal path while maintaining cuvette transfer capability through simpler means
2Productivity
If the waste chute opening is left open for cuvette disposal, then the disposal process is simple, but liquid from used cuvettes can splash out and contaminate the analyzer and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a flexible cover element that can be moved between open and closed positions. This cover element seals the waste chute opening when not in use, preventing liquid splashing and contamination, while allowing rapid opening to enable cuvette disposal. The flexible membrane approach maintains disposal efficiency while eliminating contamination risks
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional mechanical and electrical components are added to prevent liquid splashing, then contamination risk is reduced, but costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the optical properties of the cover element, which can be transparent or translucent, allowing visual monitoring of the waste disposal process while maintaining the seal. The cover element's material properties enable it to function as both a protective barrier and a visual indicator, eliminating the need for additional sensors or monitoring components
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Waste shipment system (1) for transferring consumables through a waste chute (3) into a waste container (4) for consumables comprising a waste chute (3) with an opening (6) wherein the opening (6) comprises a plurality of louvers (8) for partially or completely closing the opening (6).