Reagent Dispensing Mechanism Trajectory Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic analysis apparatuses face challenges in aligning arcuate and straight-line trajectories, requiring position adjustments to minimize deviations between them, which complicates the reagent dispensing process.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a reagent dispensing mechanism that adjusts its position by using marks on the reagent disk and incubator to align the arcuate trajectory with suction and discharging positions, ensuring minimal deviation and stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanism performs an operation of an arcuate trajectory to access positions arranged on a straight line, then the mechanism can access multiple positions, but the arc and straight line cannot coincide, requiring position adjustment to minimize deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to access multiple positionsVSAvoidalignment between arcuate trajectory and straight line positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing marks on the reagent disk and incubator before operation begins. These marks indicate the correct rotational positions that minimize deviation between the arcuate trajectory and the straight-line arrangement of suction/discharge ports. The operator performs the alignment action in advance by matching the marks, rather than adjusting during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses marks as an intermediary element between the arcuate trajectory mechanism and the straight-line positioned ports. The marks serve as a visual mediator that translates the complex geometric relationship between arc and line into a simple alignment task, allowing the operator to minimize deviation without requiring complex calculation or adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If position adjustment is performed to minimize deviation between arcuate trajectory and straight line positions, then alignment precision is improved, but the adjustment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment between reagent dispensing mechanism and vessel centersVSAvoidposition adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The marks on the reagent disk and incubator serve as intermediary visual aids that simplify the position adjustment process. Instead of requiring complex measurement tools or adjustment mechanisms, the operator simply aligns the marks to achieve optimal positioning, thereby improving alignment precision without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a potentially complex mechanical adjustment system with a simple visual alignment method using marks. The operator uses visual observation of the marks rather than mechanical measurement instruments or complex adjustment mechanisms, substituting a sophisticated mechanical system with a simpler visual guidance approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3761040B1Automated analysis device
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3761040B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3761040B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3761040B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

When an automatic analysis apparatus has a mechanism that performs an operation of an arcuate trajectory to access a plurality of positions arranged on a straight line, an arc and a straight line cannot coincide with each other. Thus position adjustment is required to minimize the deviation between the arc and the straight line. An automatic analysis apparatus according to the invention includes a reagent disk 2 which accommodates a plurality of reagent bottles 3 in each of which a plurality of suction ports are arranged along a center line, and which rotates around a central axis to transport a reagent bottle to a desired position; and a reagent dispensing mechanism 10 which rotates around a rotation axis to suck a reagent from the reagent bottle at a predetermined suction position on the reagent disk, in which the reagent disk 2 is provided with, at at least one mounting position of the reagent bottle on the reagent disk, first and second marks 35, 36 sandwiching the mounting position of the reagent bottle.