Sample Analyzer Lid Placing Section Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sample analyzers face issues with losing lids of liquid containers, such as reagent, washing solution, and dilutant containers, due to the lack of a systematic way to manage and track them, leading to inefficiencies and increased user workload.

Innovation Solution

The sample analyzer incorporates a lid placing section with a tray system that allows users to store and manage lids in a structured manner, providing accessible and organized locations near the container setting unit, with features like concave shapes to prevent lid movement and a dividing member to classify lids by type, ensuring easy retrieval and reducing the risk of misplacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reagent containers are removed from the reagent container setting unit after measurements, then the reagent containers can be stored in a refrigerator, but the lids may be lost or misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid management reliabilityVSAvoidlid tracking difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid placing section is divided into multiple distinct placing regions, each corresponding to a specific reagent container type. This segmentation allows lids to be organized and tracked systematically, preventing loss and misplacement while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid placing section acts as an intermediary storage area between the reagent container setting unit and the refrigerator. Lids are temporarily placed in designated regions during the transition, ensuring they are not lost while allowing smooth workflow continuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of liquid containers are used in the sample analyzer, then the functionality is enhanced, but the complexity of managing lids increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer type flexibilityVSAvoidlid management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each placing region in the lid placing section is designed with specific local characteristics (different sizes, shapes, or positions) that correspond to specific container types. This local quality differentiation allows the system to handle multiple container types without increasing overall management complexity, as each lid has its designated region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If lids are placed in a random location, then the lid placing area is simple, but the user may forget where lids were placed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid placing structure simplicityVSAvoidlid location memory

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The lid placing section provides pre-designated placing regions before the user needs to retrieve lids. By having predetermined locations ready in advance, the system eliminates the need for users to remember where lids were placed, while maintaining a simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2784517B1Sample analyzer

Publication Date: 2021.01.06 SYSMEX CORP

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AI summary

A sample analyzer capable of preventing the loss of lids of liquid containers used in the sample analyzer is provided. The sample analyzer 1 has liquid suctioning units 11 and 17 which are provided with suction tubes for suctioning liquid, container setting units 13 through 15 for setting a plurality of liquid containers 5 through 8 holding liquid, and lid placing sections 16a through 16c and 32 through 34 for placing lids 5a through 8a of liquid containers 5 through 8.