Rotating Hole Members for Portable Analyzer Cleaning Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable analyzers face challenges in easy and proper cleaning of the interior hole when stained, leading to impaired analysis due to specimen adherence and lack of effective cleaning mechanisms, which complicates maintenance and increases the risk of hygiene issues.

Innovation Solution

A portable analyzer design featuring rotating first and second members that switch between a closed and flared open state, allowing for easy access and cleaning of internal components without disassembly, including slide guide and auxiliary guide mechanisms to facilitate this process and a locking mechanism to maintain the correct positional relation, along with a determination system for proper alignment and an alarm for notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the portable analyzer uses a fixed hole structure for sampling implement insertion, then the device maintains structural simplicity and compactness, but the interior of the hole becomes difficult to clean when stained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the first and second members rotatable relative to each other, transforming the static hole structure into a dynamic one. When the members rotate to a separated position, the hole opens up allowing easy access for cleaning the internal surfaces, while maintaining structural simplicity when closed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the hole-forming structure into two separate members (first member and second member) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the internal surfaces of the hole to be exposed for cleaning by rotating the members apart, while maintaining a unified compact structure during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the portable analyzer allows easy cleaning access, then maintenance becomes simpler, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance simplicityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable mechanism allows the device to transition between a compact closed state and an open cleaning state. The same dynamic structure that enables cleaning access does not require separate disassembly mechanisms, thus adding minimal structural complexity while greatly improving maintenance ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable members serve dual functions: forming the sampling hole during analysis operation and enabling cleaning access during maintenance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while improving maintenance ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the first and second members can rotate freely, then cleaning access is improved, but the positional relation between members may become incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning accessVSAvoidpositional alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The determination means detects whether the first and second members are in the correct positional relation after rotation. This feedback mechanism ensures that even after free rotation for cleaning, the members return to and maintain the precise alignment required for accurate specimen analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the members return to the correct positional relation. This preliminary action of locking prevents subsequent displacement, ensuring positional precision is maintained without requiring continuous active control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2261674B1Portable analyzer
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2261674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2261674B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2261674B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A portable analyzer A1 includes: hole forming means designed to form a hole 3 for insertion of a specimen sampling implement 6 therein; and analyzing means capable of analyzing a specimen when the sampling implement 6 is inserted into the hole 3, the hole forming means including a first member 1 having a first region R1 corresponding to a portion of an internal surface of the hole 3, and a second member 2 having a second region R2 corresponding to another portion of the internal surface of the hole 3. The first and second members 1 and 2 are capable of relative movement while being coupled to each other, the relative movement causing at least one of the first and second regions R1 and R2 to be exposed to outside for easy cleaning thereof.