Reaction Container Discarding Cylinder for Misalignment-Free Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in smoothly discarding used reaction containers without causing space restrictions or mechanical interference, particularly when the containers are inclined or misaligned during disposal.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzer incorporates a reaction container discarding mechanism with projections and notches at the discarding hole to guide and separate gripping pieces, ensuring smooth disposal of reaction containers while minimizing space requirements and preventing container misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner diameter of the discarding cylinder is widened to allow smooth discarding of reaction containers, then the discarding reliability is improved, but the space in the automatic analyzer is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The discarding cylinder is designed with a stepped structure where the upper end has a larger diameter than the lower end. This local variation in diameter allows the upper portion to accommodate inclined or misaligned reaction containers during discarding, while the lower portion maintains a smaller diameter to preserve overall space in the automatic analyzer.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing the diameter in one dimension, the invention creates a dimensional variation along the vertical axis of the discarding cylinder, with the upper end having a larger diameter than the lower end. This resolves the space conflict by distributing the volume requirement along the vertical dimension rather than requiring uniform horizontal expansion.
2Ease of operation
If the reaction container is discarded into an open end discarding hole, then the discarding operation is simplified, but the container may become misaligned or contact the cylinder wall causing discarding failure
Solution Approach 1:
The discarding hole is designed with an asymmetric structure featuring a larger upper end diameter than lower end diameter. This local dimensional variation provides a guide function that aligns reaction containers during discarding, preventing misalignment and contact with the cylinder wall while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped structure of the discarding cylinder acts as an intermediary guide between the discarding hole and the housing portion. It mediates the transition of reaction containers by providing alignment surfaces that prevent direct contact between the container and the main cylinder wall, ensuring reliable discarding.
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 allows for efficient and space-efficient disposal of used reaction containers by guiding them into a housing portion without mechanical interference, maintaining temperature control and reducing the risk of container misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction container falls while being guided by a container guide portion
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an automatic analyzer which smoothly discards a used reaction container while preventing space restrictions. The automatic analyzer in this invention includes a housing portion which houses a used container; a hollow discarding cylinder which guides the container to the housing portion in a vertical direction; a container gripping mechanism which grips the container by moving a plurality of gripping pieces close to each other in a horizontal direction and lets the container fall by separating the plural gripping pieces from each other in the horizontal direction; and a control section which controls the container gripping mechanism. A discarding hole in the upper end of the discarding cylinder is formed by a container guide portion for guiding the container and a gripping piece separating portion forming a space for the plural gripping pieces to be separated from each other.