Movable Plate Guide for Autosampler Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing plate changers for liquid chromatography require accurate positioning of sample plates in the storage to ensure proper handling by the transport mechanism, but providing guides for this positioning narrows the storage space, making it difficult to hold multiple plates, and adding attachments to the plates complicates usability.
Innovation Solution
A plate changer with a plate storage that includes a plate setting base and a transport mechanism with holding portions for the side surfaces of the sample plates, along with a plate guide that supports the side surfaces to guide the plates to a predetermined position without interfering with the holding portions, allowing for accurate and easy setting without additional attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a guide is provided to position the sample plate accurately in the plate storage, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the storage space is narrowed and the transport mechanism cannot hold the sample plate properly
Solution Approach 1:
The plate guide is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It moves from a first position where it interferes with the holding portion to a second position where it does not interfere, allowing the transport mechanism to access the sample plate while maintaining positioning guidance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The plate guide is divided into a movable guide portion and a fixed support structure. The guide portion can move independently to accommodate the transport mechanism's holding portions while the support structure remains stationary, providing both positioning accuracy and access
2Quantity of substance
If the storage space is reduced to accommodate multiple sample plates, then the quantity of plates that can be stored is improved, but no space remains for providing a guide for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate guide allows the system to maintain compact storage space while providing positioning guidance only when needed. The guide moves out of the way during transport operations, maximizing storage capacity without sacrificing positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The plate guide serves multiple functions: it provides positioning guidance for sample plates during storage, moves aside to allow transport mechanism access, and maintains a compact profile that fits within the limited storage space. One component performs both guiding and space-saving functions
Data Source
AI summary
A plate changer includes a plate storage that includes therein a plate setting base, and is provided with a transport window for retrieving, in one direction in a horizontal plane, a sample plate set on the plate setting base; and a transport mechanism that has at least a pair of holding portions holding both side surfaces of a sample plate, and holds and transports the sample plate by the holding portions. The plate storage has a plate guide that supports a side surface of the sample plate set on the plate setting base and guides the sample plate to a predetermined setting position. When the holding portion is inserted into the plate storage from the transport window, the plate guide is configured to move to a position not interfering with the action of the holding portion.