Rotational Vessel Cap for Autoanalyzer Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vessels require complex mechanisms for opening and closing, which complicates the operation of autoanalyzers and increases the size and complexity of the apparatus, as they need to manage the positioning and detachment of covers to maintain analysis accuracy and prevent sample evaporation.

Innovation Solution

A vessel design featuring a tubular vessel body and a columnar cover body with a through-hole and sealing portions, allowing for easy rotation-based opening and closing without detaching the cover, which simplifies the mechanism and enhances sealing ability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional screw cap structure or fit-in structure is used to seal the vessel, then the sealing ability is improved, but the device complexity and operation complexity increase due to requiring cover removal and reattachment operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing abilityVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel is divided into a vessel body and a separate cover body that can be independently positioned. The cover body includes a cover main body and a cover cap that can be selectively attached to the vessel body to create sealed or open states, allowing flexible sealing without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vessel transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic state where the cover body can be easily attached or detached. This dynamic configuration allows the vessel to switch between sealed and open states without requiring complex positioning mechanisms, reducing apparatus complexity while maintaining sealing ability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a conventional vessel with detachable cover is used in an autoanalyzer, then the sealing ability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring precise positioning and cover manipulation operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing abilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover cap is extracted as a separate component that can be independently attached to the cover main body. This allows the sealing function to be activated only when needed by simply attaching the cap, without requiring manipulation of the entire cover assembly, greatly simplifying operations while maintaining sealing ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vessel design allows the cover body to self-align and attach to the vessel body through complementary geometric features. The cover main body includes an insertion portion that fits into the vessel body opening, and the cover cap attaches to seal it, creating a self-servicing system that reduces the need for precise external positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a conventional vessel requiring cover detachment is used, then the sealing ability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming opening and closing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing abilityVSAvoidoperation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover body is pre-configured with the cover main body and cover cap as integrated components during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration allows the vessel to be quickly opened by simply removing the cover cap without requiring complex disassembly operations, significantly improving operation efficiency while maintaining sealing ability when the cap is attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a sealed vessel structure is used to prevent sample evaporation, then the reliability of analysis is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring air-tight and liquid-tight sealing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is localized to specific regions where it is most needed: the vessel opening and the connection between the cover main body and cover cap. By concentrating sealing resources at these critical locations rather than implementing complex sealing throughout the entire vessel structure, the design achieves reliable analysis accuracy with minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2199802B1Container and use thereof in an analysis
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2199802B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2199802B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B
  • EP2199802B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~6

AI summary

A vessel, which can easily be opened and closed without detaching and attaching a cover, is provided. The vessel of the present invention includes a vessel body 2 and a cover body 1. In a condition where the cover body 1 is contained in a cover body containing portion 23, the cover body 1 is rotated and an inside of a vessel main body 21 is communicated with a side wall opening portion 24 formed on a side wall of the cover body containing portion 23 through the through-hole 11. When the cover body 1 is rotated and the sealing position 12 is placed above an upper open-end 22 of the vessel main body 21, an inside of the vessel main body 21 can be sealed from the outside.