Autonomous Mobile Robot for Automatic Analyzer Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analyzers face interruptions due to limited capacity for samples and consumables, leading to waiting times and increased operational burdens, especially in the absence of skilled operators, and fully automated systems are costly and limited in application.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis system with an autonomous mobile robot that can replenish samples and consumables autonomously, utilizing a scheduling device to assign tasks based on state information from the analysis area, and an operation screen that switches between modes for human and robot operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capacity of the automatic analyzer for accommodating samples and consumables is increased, then the analysis efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the automatic analyzer into multiple independent analyzing units, each with its own sample and consumable capacity. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall productivity without requiring each individual unit to have large capacity, thus avoiding excessive complexity and cost while maintaining efficient operation.
2Productivity
If the capacity of the automatic analyzer for accommodating samples and consumables is increased, then the analysis efficiency is improved, but the initial cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into multiple smaller analyzing units rather than one large-capacity unit, the initial cost is distributed across modular components that are easier and less expensive to manufacture and deploy, while the combined capacity achieves the desired high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The analyzing units are designed with universal functionality to handle various samples and consumables. This multi-functionality allows each unit to be versatile rather than specialized, reducing the need for multiple different types of equipment and thereby lowering the overall initial cost while maintaining high analysis efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If the autonomous mobile robot is equipped with advanced recognition functions, then the robot can operate autonomously without operator intervention, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation screen serves as an intermediary interface between the robot and the analyzing units. It provides a standardized communication protocol that allows the robot to recognize device states and receive instructions without requiring complex direct integration with each analyzing unit's control system, thus achieving autonomous operation while limiting complexity growth.
4Extent of automation
If the autonomous mobile robot is equipped with advanced recognition functions, then the robot can operate autonomously without operator intervention, but the initial cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation screen acts as a cost-effective intermediary that enables autonomous robot operation through a standardized interface. This approach avoids the need for expensive custom integration systems while still providing the robot with the recognition capabilities needed for autonomous function, thereby achieving automation at a reasonable initial cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automatic analysis system that reduces a personnel burden and increases an operating rate using an autonomous mobile robot while suppressing an initial cost.The automatic analysis system includes: a plurality of devices that are disposed in an automatic analysis area 101 and includes analyzing units 103 and 104 included in an automatic analyzer; and a robot 102 that moves in the automatic analysis area, in which an operation screen of the analyzing unit has a first screen mode for an operator and a second screen mode for the robot and is switchable between the first screen mode and the second screen mode, and the robot obtains state information of the analyzing unit from the operation screen in the second screen mode.