Sample Analyzer Disposal Box Integration for Light Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample analyzing devices suffer from reduced analysis accuracy due to external light interference and improper disposal of pipette tips, which causes noise and obstructs the photodetector, leading to inefficient measurement processes.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a disposal box integrated with the holder, allowing for internal disposal via a door, eliminating the need for a drawer structure, and features separate disposal spaces with an arc-shaped opening to prevent pipette tip obstruction, along with a detection mechanism to ensure the disposal box is properly set, and a rotating holder for efficient container switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drawer structure is provided for drawing the disposal box, then the disposal box can be easily accessed, but external light enters through gaps and causes noise to the photodetector

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisposal box accessibilityVSAvoidphotodetector accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The disposal box is extracted from the main body structure and integrated with the holder, allowing it to be removed together with the holder via the door rather than requiring a separate drawer structure. This eliminates the drawer-related light gaps while maintaining disposal box accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposal box is merged with the holder structure, forming an integrated assembly. This combination allows the disposal box to be accessed through holder removal via the door, eliminating the need for a separate drawer structure that would create light leakage paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the drawer structure is used for disposal box access, then disposal is convenient, but the structure complexity increases and light shielding is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisposal box accessibilityVSAvoiddrawer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disposal box is merged with the holder structure, forming an integrated assembly. This combination eliminates the need for a separate drawer structure, reducing device complexity while maintaining disposal box accessibility through holder removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder structure serves dual functions: holding containers for measurement and housing the disposal box. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drawer structures, reducing overall device complexity.

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

3Volume of stationary object

If pipette tips are disposed of in a single space, then the disposal box is compact, but tips become obstructive and cause step-out problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisposal box sizeVSAvoidpipette tip disposal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The disposal box is segmented into multiple disposal spaces within its structure. This segmentation allows pipette tips to be disposed of in separate compartments, preventing them from becoming obstructive while maintaining a compact overall disposal box size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the holder holds multiple containers, then measurement efficiency improves, but the frequency of door opening increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoiddoor opening frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The disposal box is merged with the holder structure, allowing both containers and disposal box to be removed together via a single door operation. This reduces the frequency of door opening compared to separate access structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration effectively shields external light, reduces measurement time, and enhances analysis accuracy by ensuring precise disposal and positioning of pipette tips, facilitating smoother operation and improved data collection.

Implementation Method 1

adds luciferase as a luminescent reagent to ATP (adenosine triphosphate) contained in microorganisms to measure the resulting bioluminescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBioluminescence: Bioluminescence

Implementation Method 2

measure the resulting bioluminescence and converts the resulting luminescence intensity into a bacterial count

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3611514B1Sample analyzing device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 HORIBA ADVANCED TECHNO CO LTD
  • EP3611514B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611514B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611514B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is one for achieving an improvement in analysis accuracy, and a sample analyzing device 100 that measures light emitted by introducing a reagent to a sample contained in a container 2 to analyze the sample, and the sample analyzing device 100 includes: a holder 3 that holds the container 2; a casing C that has a door C2 for taking in/out the holder 3; a nozzle 61 to/from which a pipette tip PT for injecting the reagent into the container 2 can be attached/detached; a photodetector 4 that measures the light emitted from the sample in the container 2 supported by the holder 3; and a disposal box 10 into which the pipette tip after injection is disposed of, in which the disposal box 10 is configured to be arranged in the casing C and to be taken in/out via the door C2.