Magnetic Sample Transport Positioning With Vertical and Lateral Coil Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sample transport systems in clinical analysis face challenges with positional accuracy and frictional forces when using permanent magnets, leading to reduced precision in stopping and adjusting the position of sample containers during transport.
Innovation Solution
A sample transport device equipped with a permanent magnet and a transport path featuring coils on the surface, where a drive circuit adjusts forces in both vertical and horizontal directions using currents through specific coils to manage frictional and thrust forces, enhancing positional accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a permanent magnet is used for sample transport, then the transport capability is improved, but the positional accuracy when stopping deteriorates due to frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical belt-driven transport system with an electromagnetic field-based system using permanent magnets and electromagnetic actuators. This substitution allows for contactless transport and precise positional control through magnetic field manipulation, eliminating mechanical friction and enabling accurate stopping positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the electrical parameters (current magnitude and direction) of the electromagnetic actuators to control the magnetic forces. By adjusting these parameters, the system can overcome static friction to initiate movement, provide thrust during transport, and enable precise stopping by balancing magnetic forces, thereby resolving the positional accuracy issue.
2Speed
If electromagnetic actuators are used to move permanent magnets, then transport speed is improved, but the stop position accuracy deteriorates due to vertical forces pressing the magnet against the transport surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control in the vertical dimension (Z-axis) in addition to the horizontal transport dimension. By using electromagnetic actuators that can generate both horizontal thrust forces and vertical lifting forces, the system can reduce the normal force between the permanent magnet and transport surface, thereby reducing friction and improving stop position accuracy while maintaining high transport speed.
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 improves the positional accuracy and reduces frictional forces, enabling precise stopping and adjustment of sample containers, thereby enhancing the reliability of sample transport in clinical analysis systems.
Implementation Method 1
a current is applied to the electromagnetic actuator located at a position where a permanent magnet of the container carrier is desired to be carried, and the permanent magnet is stopped at a target position by an attractive force between the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic actuator
Implementation Method 2
the permanent magnet is stopped at a target position by an attractive force between the permanent magnet and the electromagnetic actuator
Implementation Method 3
the attractive force of the electromagnetic actuator generates a force (thrust) in a direction in which the permanent magnet is desired to be carried and a force (vertical force) that presses the permanent magnet against a transport surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sample transport device, a sample analysis system, and a sample pretreatment device which have high positional accuracy when stopping a sample and can adjust a minute position when stopping the sample. A sample transport device (1a) according to the present invention includes: a sample provided with a permanent magnet (10); a transport path through which the sample is to be transported via the permanent magnet (10); a plurality of coils provided on a surface of the transport path opposite to a surface on which the sample is to be transported; and a drive circuit that causes a current to flow through the coils. The drive circuit adjusts a force applied to the permanent magnet in a vertical direction by a current flowing through a first coil (30B) immediately below a position at which the permanent magnet (10) is to be stopped, and adjusts a force applied to the permanent magnet (10) in a horizontal direction by a current flowing through a second coil (30C) adjacent to the first coil, and adjusts a stop position of the permanent magnet (10).