Sample Container Conveyance With Sensor-Based Pickup Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyance devices for sample containers in analysis systems require manual alignment and stoppage of rotating turntables for installation, limiting automation and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance device with sensors for each installation portion to acquire container information, a conveyance unit to follow a determined pick-up order based on this information, and a control unit to automate the conveyance process, allowing containers to be installed in any order and ensuring automatic alignment with analysis requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a rotating turntable is used for container conveyance, then automation is improved, but manual intervention is required for alignment and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the pick-up order based on container information (such as installation timestamps or sampling times) without requiring manual alignment or intervention. The conveyance control unit autonomously manages the conveyance sequence, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring operator input for ordering.
Solution Approach 2:
Container information such as installation timestamps or sampling times is recorded in advance when containers are placed on the pallet. This preliminary data collection enables the conveyance control unit to automatically determine the correct pick-up order without real-time manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the turntable is stopped for container installation, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously operates without stopping the turntable. Container information is automatically acquired by sensors during rotation, and the conveyance control unit dynamically adjusts the pick-up order based on this information, eliminating the need to halt the turntable for installation while maintaining full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance control unit dynamically determines the pick-up order based on container information acquired during continuous turntable rotation. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain productivity while accommodating containers installed at different times, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and ease of installation.
3Ease of operation
If all containers are installed before analysis starts, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system accepts containers installed during the analysis process by automatically acquiring container information via sensors and dynamically adjusting the pick-up order. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to newly installed containers without requiring all containers to be pre-installed, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance control unit dynamically updates the pick-up order based on container information acquired at any time during the analysis process. This dynamic flexibility enables the system to accommodate containers installed during operation, enhancing adaptability while maintaining ease of use through automatic order determination.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a conveyance device that is more user-friendly than conventional devices, and further enhance workability, a conveyance device that conveys a container accommodating a sample to an analysis device includes: a pallet in which a plurality of installation portions is provided, the container being installed in the installation portions; sensors that are provided for the respective installation portions in one-to-one correspondence, and acquire container information that is information obtained when the container is installed; a conveyance unit that picks up the container installed in the pallet, and conveys the container to the analysis device; and a conveyance control unit that causes the conveyance unit to pick up the container in accordance with a pick-up order determined on the basis of the container information.