Movable Guide Member for Sample Rack Transport Path Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample transporting devices in analyzers lack guides for directing the movement of sample racks, leading to potential deviations from transport paths, which can cause errors and inefficiencies in sample processing.
Innovation Solution
A sample transporting device with a movable guide member that allows the sample rack to transition between transport paths while preventing deviations by adjusting its position vertically, ensuring the rack remains on the intended path through the use of a drive source and a guide member that forms a continuous surface with the transport paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If no guide is provided for the sample rack movement in the transport path, then the rack moving mechanism can freely move the sample rack between transport paths, but the sample rack may deviate from the transport path
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is made movable between a guide position (protruding to prevent deviation) and a retracted position (not interfering with rack movement). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to switch between guiding mode and free movement mode, resolving the contradiction between transport accuracy and movement flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary element between the transport paths. When in the guide position, it mediates to prevent rack deviation without completely restricting movement, allowing controlled transitions while maintaining transport path accuracy
2Reliability
If a guide member is added to prevent sample rack deviation, then transport path accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves multiple functions: it guides the sample rack during transport, prevents deviation from the transport path, and can be retracted to allow free movement between paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving transport accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The guide function is merged into a single movable guide member that can be positioned as needed. Rather than adding multiple fixed guides throughout the transport path, the invention combines the guiding function into one adjustable component, minimizing structural complexity while achieving the reliability improvement
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample processing apparatus which has a transporting device is disclosed. The transporting device has a first transport path; a second transport path; a rack moving mechanism for moving the sample rack from the first transport path to the second transport path; a guide member, movable in vertical directions, for allowing the sample rack to move from the first transport path to the second transport path when the guide member is at a predetermined position, and for preventing the sample rack being transported on the first transport path or the second transport path from deviating from the transport path when the guide member is above the predetermined position; and a drive source for moving the guide member in vertical directions. A sample transporting device, and a sample rack transporting method are disclosed.