Sample Holder Activating Element for Analysis Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analysis apparatuses require time-consuming procedures for inserting and positioning sample acquiring devices, leading to prolonged measurement durations and a risk of accidental measurement activation.

Innovation Solution

A sample acquiring device holder with an activating element that protrudes into a reception recess, allowing the sample acquiring device to push it into an activating position, which then triggers the measurement, ensuring correct positioning and preventing accidental activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the operator manually opens the holder, inserts the sample acquiring device, and closes the holder, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement duration is prolonged due to the time required for opening and closing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidtime for opening and closing holder
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The activating element is pre-positioned in the holder such that when the sample acquiring device is inserted, it automatically pushes the activating element to trigger the measurement. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual opening and closing operations, reducing the time required for the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to automatically trigger the measurement when the sample acquiring device is inserted into the holder. The sample acquiring device itself activates the measurement by pushing the activating element, eliminating the need for manual intervention to start the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the measurement is automatically triggered by inserting the sample acquiring device, then the measurement speed is improved, but there is a risk of accidental activation if the sample acquiring device activates the measurement button by mistake

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidrisk of accidental measurement activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The activating element serves as an intermediary between the sample acquiring device and the measurement triggering element. It is positioned such that only when the sample acquiring device is correctly inserted will it push the activating element, which in turn pushes the measurement triggering element. This intermediary mechanism ensures that measurements are only triggered when the sample is properly positioned, preventing accidental activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The activating element is positioned to protrude into the reception recess, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents the sample acquiring device from being inserted unless it is in the correct position. This preliminary positioning ensures that only properly oriented samples can trigger the measurement, preventing accidental activation from incorrect insertions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Measurement precision

If the activating element protrudes into the reception recess to ensure correct positioning, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional activating element mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of activating element mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The activating element is integrated into the holder structure, combining the functions of sample positioning and measurement triggering into a single component. This merging reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the precision required for correct sample positioning and accurate measurement triggering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3706910B1Analysis apparatus comprising a housing and a sample acquiring device holder
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 HEMOCUE AB
  • EP3706910B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3706910B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3706910B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a sample acquiring device holder (3) for a housing (2) of an analysis apparatus (1). The sample acquiring device holder (3) may comprise an activating element (5) and a reception recess (11) for receiving a sample acquiring device (4). A first portion (10) of the activating element (5) may protrude into the reception recess (11), if the activating element (5) is in a non-activating position. The activating element (5) may be adapted to be moved into an activating position by the sample acquiring device (4), if the sample acquiring device (4) is inserted into an intended measurement position within the reception recess (11). The activating element (5) may be adapted to activate a measurement triggering element (15), if the activating element (5) is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element (15) activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus (1).