Protective Cap Locking Mechanism for Microchannel Analysis Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis devices face challenges in preserving diluents over long periods, complicating the structure, and increasing costs due to moisture permeability issues, and they lack user-friendly operation for diluent container opening, which affects measurement accuracy and operability. Additionally, there is a risk of contamination and infection from reopened containers.
Innovation Solution
An analysis device with a microchannel structure and a protective cap featuring a hooked portion and locking piece that engages to prevent accidental opening, allowing for easy diluent transfer and preventing detachment during high-speed rotation, while a lidded container with a reuse-preventing locking mechanism ensures safe handling of infectious materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a diluent container with a thin-film seal and rigid side section having a scribed mark is used, then the diluent container can be readily opened by splitting along the scribed mark, but the moisture permeability increases and the diluent cannot be preserved for a long period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate parts: a flexible reservoir bag for holding the diluent and a rigid container body with the scribed mark. The reservoir bag can be detached and disposed of after use, while the container body can be reused. This segmentation allows the opening operation to be performed on the rigid container body without compromising the integrity of the diluent storage bag.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film seal is extracted from the main container structure and replaced by a separate flexible reservoir bag with its own sealing mechanism. The reservoir bag is inserted into the container body through an opening, and the opening can be made large without affecting diluent preservation because the actual seal is provided by the flexible bag, not the container material itself.
2Reliability
If a complex opening mechanism is provided in the analysis apparatus to operate the diluent container, then the diluent container can be opened reliably, but the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user directly performs the opening operation by manually splitting the rigid container body along the scribed mark and removing the flexible reservoir bag. No automated opening mechanism is required in the analysis apparatus. The container is designed to be opened by simple manual manipulation, making the system self-service and eliminating complex mechanical opening devices.
3Ease of operation
If the protective cap is made easily openable for user access, then the operability is improved, but the risk of accidental opening and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The locking piece engages with the hooked portion during normal conditions to prevent opening, but can be easily disengaged when the user intentionally activates the release mechanism. This dynamic design allows the cap to be both secure against accidental opening and accessible when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to preemptively prevent accidental opening by maintaining engagement between the locking piece and hooked portion. The lock is released only when a specific intentional action is taken, such as pressing a release button or performing a deliberate manipulation sequence. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the cap remains closed and protected unless the user explicitly intends to open it.
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 analytical precision, simplifies the analysis apparatus, reduces costs, enhances user operability, and prevents contamination and infection by ensuring secure and safe handling of samples.
Implementation Method 1
a hooked portion is formed on one of the analysis device main body and the protective cap; and a locking piece is formed in correspondence to the hooked portion on the other of the analysis device main body and the protective cap
Implementation Method 2
an analysis device in which a liquid channel is formed. The analysis device is capable of controlling a fluid using a rotating apparatus. Since the analysis device is capable of performing dilution of a sample liquid, solution measurement, separation of solid components, transfer and distribution of a separated fluid, mixing of a solution and a reagent, and the like by utilizing centrifugal force
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an analysis device comprising an analysis device main body having, formed inside, a microchannel structure with minute surface irregularities, a protective cap that covers protection object locations of the analysis device main body, a hooked portion formed on one of the analysis device main body and the protective cap, and a locking piece formed in correspondence to the hooked portion on the other of the analysis device main body and the protective cap, wherein in a state where the protective cap is returned to a first position where the protection object locations of the analysis device main body are covered after the protective cap is first removed to a second position where the protection object locations of the analysis device main body are exposed, the hooked portion engages the locking piece so as to prevent the protective cap from moving to the second position where the protection object locations of the analysis device main body are exposed.