Reagent Loading Mechanism for Continuous Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzing devices for biogenic samples face issues with reagent evaporation and instability due to open reagent covers, requiring manual intervention and disrupting continuous analysis.
Innovation Solution
A reagent loading mechanism with a rotating reagent holding unit, a reagent cover opening mechanism, and a transportation unit, allowing for continuous and simultaneous reagent loading and cover opening, minimizing reagent exposure and operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reagent cover is opened in advance to prepare for reagent loading, then the reagent loading operation can be performed quickly, but the reagent vaporizes and changes concentration causing measurement instability
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent container holding unit is pre-positioned and the cover opening mechanism is pre-aligned with the container before the analysis cycle begins. The mechanism is designed to open the cover and transfer the reagent in a single coordinated motion, eliminating the need to open the cover in advance while still enabling rapid loading.
2Ease of operation
If the reagent container repository temporarily stops for reagent replacement, then the reagent can be replaced, but the analysis is interrupted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent container holding unit serves multiple functions: it stores replacement reagent containers, positions them for loading, opens their covers, and transfers them to the transportation unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate manual intervention steps, allowing automated reagent replacement without interrupting the analysis workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs reagent replacement automatically through the integrated holding unit and cover opening mechanism, eliminating the need for operator intervention. The mechanism independently completes the entire reagent replacement process, maintaining analysis continuity while ensuring proper reagent handling.
3Productivity
If the mechanism operates at high speed to improve productivity, then reagent replacement is faster, but bubbling or rolling of the liquid surface occurs causing concentration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The cover opening mechanism and transportation unit are designed with controlled motion profiles that adapt to the reagent container's position and contents. The mechanism uses dynamic control to adjust the speed and acceleration during the transfer process, preventing excessive movement that would cause bubbling while maintaining overall high productivity through efficient coordination of operations.
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
Enables continuous analysis without reagent evaporation, reduces reagent replacement time, and prevents bubbling or rolling of the liquid surface, stabilizing measurement results.
Implementation Method 1
When the reagent cover is left open, the reagent in the reagent container vaporizes to change the concentration of the reagent
Implementation Method 2
A reagent loading mechanism is divided into a reagent loading unit and a loaded reagent holding unit, and the loaded reagent holding unit is configured as a rotating mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a reagent transportation unit are provided, so that opening of the held reagent to the movement thereof to a transportation unit can be performed in series
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is an automatic analyzing device having a reagent cooling box in which reagents that need to be exchanged or additionally loaded can be disposed while vaporization, bubbling, and rolling of liquid surfaces of the reagents are prevented in the most effective manner. A reagent loading mechanism includes a reagent loading unit and a reagent holding unit serving as a rotating mechanism. A reagent cover opening mechanism and a reagent transferring mechanism are disposed on the circumference of the reagent holding unit. A position at which the reagents can be continuously loaded from the reagent loading unit can be selected from accommodating positions in the reagent holding unit by setting the number (X) of held reagents and an offset number (Y) of the opening mechanism and the transferring mechanism to satisfy a relationship of X = nY + 1 (n is arbitrary). In addition, the opening operation and the transferring operation are performed during the same period so that unnecessary operations of the mechanisms can be suppressed by controlling the sequence such that opening of the reagent covers and transferring of the reagents can be continuously performed.