Reagent Shutter Oblique Motion Prevents Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automatic analysis devices, the constant flow of external air into the reagent compartment due to an open opening causes condensation, which can dilute or deteriorate the reagent, reducing its effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
A reagent storage device with a shutter and moving mechanism that opens and closes the opening in the reagent compartment, using a guide member with inclined and linear portions to obliquely move the shutter, allowing probe access while preventing external air from entering and causing condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening in the reagent compartment is always open to allow probe access, then the ease of operation is improved, but condensation forms and mixes with the reagent causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is made movable between open and closed positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between probe access mode and reagent protection mode. This resolves the contradiction by making the opening state changeable rather than fixed, enabling both ease of operation and reagent stability at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter operates periodically - opening when probe access is needed and closing when protection is needed. This periodic opening and closing allows the system to alternate between providing ease of operation and maintaining reagent stability, ensuring both requirements are met at appropriate intervals.
2Device complexity
If the shutter is moved directly downward to close the opening, then the device complexity is reduced, but the shutter may collide with the opening causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined portion of the guide member performs a preliminary action by guiding the shutter obliquely downward before it reaches the opening. This preliminary oblique movement prepares the shutter for closing while preventing direct collision, thus maintaining both simple device structure and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined portion of the guide member acts as an intermediary element between the shutter and the opening. It mediates the closing action by converting direct downward motion into oblique motion, preventing collision while maintaining the simplicity of the overall mechanism.
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
This solution maintains the reagent's efficacy for a longer duration by preventing condensation from mixing with the reagent and reducing the risk of premature deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a guide member provided with an inclined portion inclined with respect to an opening plane of the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A reagent storage device of the present disclosure includes a shutter and a moving mechanism. The shutter is configured to open and close an opening in a reagent compartment for housing a reagent container, the reagent compartment being provided with the opening for insertion and removal of a probe used to extract a reagent from inside the reagent container housed in the reagent compartment. The moving mechanism is configured to move the shutter to an overlay position opposing the opening and separated from the opening before moving the shutter downward so as to close off the opening, and is also configured to move the shutter that is closing off the opening upward to open up the opening before withdrawing the shutter from the overlay position over the opening.