NMR Sample Tube Carrier With Gas-Pressure Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing NMR probe devices require manual handling of sample tubes, which leads to contamination, dust exposure, and potential damage due to gravity-driven insertion and gas-pressure-assisted ejection, making precise angle maintenance challenging and sample tube identification difficult.
Innovation Solution
A sample tube carrier with a housing space and a locking mechanism that uses a tubular sample tube passage to introduce and collect sample tubes from the NMR probe device, utilizing gas pressure to unlock and discharge the tubes, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing the risk of contamination and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of sample tubes is performed, then the operator can directly control the sample tube, but contamination and dust exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
A carrier is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the sample tube. The carrier has a holding space that accommodates the sample tube, and the operator handles the carrier rather than directly touching the sample tube, thus preventing contamination while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the carrier (for handling and storage) and the sample tube (for measurement). This segmentation allows the sample tube to remain isolated in a controlled environment while the carrier interfaces with the external handling system
2Ease of manufacture
If sample tube is inserted by gravity, then the insertion process is simple, but the sample tube may collide and get damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier acts as a mediator that guides the sample tube through the insertion process. The sample tube is held in the carrier's holding space and transferred controllably to the measurement position, preventing direct gravity-driven collision while maintaining simple insertion operation
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier provides a protective environment for the sample tube before insertion, and the controlled transfer mechanism ensures that the sample tube is positioned gently without sudden impacts or collisions during the insertion process
3Extent of automation
If gas pressure is used to discharge sample tube, then the collection process is automated, but the sample tube may collide with container and get damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier serves as an intermediary that receives the sample tube during automated gas-pressure-driven discharge. The carrier's holding space cushions the sample tube and guides it safely to the collection position, preventing direct collision with the container while maintaining automated collection
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier provides protective cushioning for the sample tube during the automated discharge process. The sample tube is held securely in the carrier and transferred gently to the collection position, preventing impact damage from the gas pressure discharge
4Productivity
If sample tube is handled directly, then the handling process is direct, but it is difficult to distinguish and manage individual tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the identification function from the sample tube itself. Each carrier can be individually identified and tracked, while containing the sample tube. This allows efficient management of multiple samples through carrier identification rather than tube identification
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary that carries identification information for the sample tube. By managing and tracking carriers rather than individual thin-walled tubes, the system maintains high productivity while preventing loss of sample identification information
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
Facilitates easy handling and management of sample tubes, prevents contamination, and reduces the risk of damage by automating the introduction and collection process while maintaining precise control over the sample tube's posture and motion.
Implementation Method 1
gas pressure acts to lift the sample tube upward and discharge the sample tube from the upper part of the MAS probe device via the sample inlet
Implementation Method 2
the sample tube moves down through a tubular sample tube passage mainly due to gravity and arrives at a sample tube supporter in the MAS probe device
Data Source
AI summary
A sample tube carrier includes a housing space in which a sample tube can be accommodated, and a locking mechanism constituted by a valve and a spring. When introducing a sample tube, the sample tube carrier is mounted on one end of a sample tube passage member communicating with an NMR probe device and the one end comes into contact with the valve and brings the valve into an opened state, thereby introducing the sample tube into the NMR probe device through the sample tube passage member. When collecting the sample tube, gas is jetted into the sample tube passage member toward the housing space and the gas pressure acts to discharge the sample tube from the NMR probe device to the housing space through the sample tube passage member.