Sample Carrier Elastic Support for Stoppage Vibration Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laboratory sample conveyance systems experience increased vibration when stopping, which is a limitation in achieving high-speed, large-volume, and multi-directional conveyance, particularly due to the interaction of permanent magnets with electromagnetic actuators and rotating bodies.

Innovation Solution

A sample carrier design incorporating a magnetic body with an elastic body interposed between the magnetic body and the carrier casing, allowing vertical movement, and a rotating body to facilitate smooth conveyance and reduce vibration by minimizing contact with the conveyance surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a permanent magnet is held by the sample carrier and attracted to an iron core of the electro-magnetic actuator, then the sample carrier can be moved by electromagnetic force, but vibration increases when the sample carrier is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic forceVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber buffer is introduced as an intermediary element between the permanent magnet and the sample carrier body. This rubber buffer acts as a mediator that absorbs vibrations and reduces the transmission of electromagnetic forces, thereby reducing vibration when the sample carrier is stopped while still allowing electromagnetic movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a rotating body is provided at the bottom of the sample carrier to reduce friction, then conveyance smoothness is improved, but vibration at the time of stopping becomes more remarkable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance smoothnessVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber buffer is introduced as an intermediary damping element between the rotating body and the sample carrier body. This rubber buffer absorbs vibrations generated by the rotating body during conveyance and especially during stopping, thereby reducing vibration while maintaining the friction-reducing benefit of the rotating body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If high-speed conveyance is implemented, then productivity increases, but vibration and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber buffer acts as a vibration-absorbing intermediary that allows high-speed conveyance to occur while dampening the vibrations generated at high speeds. This enables the system to achieve high productivity without the associated vibration problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the magnetic body is fixed rigidly to the carrier casing, then structural simplicity is maintained, but vibration cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the magnetic body and the carrier casing is changed from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic connection using a rubber buffer. This allows the magnetic body to move vertically in response to vibrations and electromagnetic forces, thereby reducing vibration transmission while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The design significantly reduces vibration at stoppage, enabling faster transition to the next operation, reduces wear, and allows for stable, high-speed, and accurate conveyance with reduced friction and power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic body interposed between the magnetic body and a casing of the sample carrier and supporting the magnetic body, and the magnetic body is vertically movable by the elastic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

several electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the conveying plane, which move the sample carrier on top of the conveying plane by applying magnetic force to the sample carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

since the permanent magnet held by the sample carrier is attracted to an iron core of the electro-magnetic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4641213A1Sample carrier, conveyance device, and method for conveying sample carrier
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4641213A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641213A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4641213A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sample carriers 100, 100A, and 100B, that grip a sample container containing a sample and is conveyed by electromagnetic force, each include a magnetic body 105, and an elastic body 104 interposed between the magnetic body 105 and each of holder bottom parts 102, 102A, and 102B of the sample carriers 100, 100A, and 100B and supporting the magnetic body 105, wherein the magnetic body 105 is vertically movable by the elastic body 104. Accordingly, there are provided a sample carrier, a conveyance device and a method for conveying a sample carrier capable of reducing vibration of the sample carrier that occurs when the sample carrier is stopped compared to the prior art.