Sample Dispensing Apparatus Nozzle Chip Auto-Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
The sample dispensing apparatus is prone to internal contamination and clogging due to sample dripping and solidification in the nozzle chip when a jam occurs downstream, causing temporary cessation of dispensing operations and preventing the exchange of child sample containers, which leads to abnormal sucking operations.
Innovation Solution
The dispensing-suspended time is measured, and when a prespecified period elapses, the nozzle chip is automatically discarded, and a new one is set when exchanging child sample containers to prevent contamination and clogging by ensuring timely exchange and restarting the dispensing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispensing operation is temporarily stopped due to a jam downstream, then the child sample container exchange is prevented, but the sample remaining in the nozzle chip drips and causes internal contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the dispensing-suspended time and proactively discards the nozzle chip before sample dripping and contamination can occur. By predicting the potential contamination issue and acting in advance, the system prevents the harmful effect while managing the temporary operational stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle chip is automatically discarded and removed from the dispensing head when contamination is anticipated. This extraction of the potentially contaminated component prevents internal contamination of the dispensing apparatus while allowing the system to reset and continue operation.
2Reliability
If the dispensing operation is temporarily stopped due to a jam downstream, then the child sample container exchange is prevented, but the sample dries and condenses causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors dispensing-suspended time and discards the nozzle chip before sample drying and condensation can occur. This preliminary action prevents clogging by removing the nozzle chip while sample is still in a manageable state, avoiding the formation of solidified sample blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle chip is extracted from the dispensing head before sample drying causes clogging. By removing the nozzle chip proactively, the system prevents the formation of clogged sample deposits that would require complex cleaning or cause operational failures.
3Productivity
If the nozzle chip is not discarded timely, then the dispensing operation can continue, but the sample drips and causes abnormal sucking operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors dispensing-suspended time and uses this feedback to determine when to discard the nozzle chip. When the suspended time exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically triggers nozzle chip discarding, ensuring timely intervention before abnormal sucking operations occur while minimizing disruption to continuous operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample dispensing apparatus dispenses a sample from a container accommodating a sample such as blood or urea sampled for checking. This sample dispensing apparatus can prevent internal contamination of the apparatus due to dripping of the sample and abnormal sucking operations caused by drainage, condensation and fixing of the sample. The sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a dispensing device for dispensing a sucked sample, a dispensing head provided in the dispensing device, and a disposable nozzle chip dismountably set on the dispensing head. In this apparatus, dispensing of a sample to child sample containers is performed exchanging the child sample containers with new ones. When the state, in which dispensing to the child container cannot be carried out, is continued for a prespecified period of time, the nozzle chip is automatically released from the dispensing head.