Sample Rack Storage with Notch-Engaging Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample analyzer systems face challenges in compactly storing multiple sample racks while ensuring efficient movement and analysis, often requiring larger storage units to accommodate the necessary regulating mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a regulating member that enters the sample rack from a notch, allowing for compact storage by overlapping with the rack's interior wall, enabling stable movement regulation and efficient transport without increasing storage unit size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a regulating member is provided to prevent sample rack from being unintentionally moved, then the reliability of sample rack positioning is improved, but the rack storage unit size increases and the number of sample racks that can be stored decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is nested within the rack storage unit structure, with its regulation function integrated into the existing storage framework. The regulating member protrudes into the rack storage unit from the side surface, utilizing the available internal space without requiring additional external volume, thus preventing sample rack unintentional movement while maintaining compact storage unit dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the regulating member in the depth direction (which would increase storage unit volume), the regulation function is achieved by positioning the regulating member to protrude from the side surface of the rack storage unit. This sideward protrusion regulates sample rack movement in the depth direction by limiting insertion distance, effectively using a different spatial dimension for regulation without compromising storage capacity.
2Reliability
If the regulating member protrudes into the rack storage unit, then the sample rack movement is regulated, but the number of sample racks that can be set in the rack storage unit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member's protrusion distance from the rack storage unit side surface is optimized to provide sufficient movement regulation while minimizing space occupation. By carefully controlling the protrusion parameter, the system achieves effective sample rack position control without excessively reducing the number of sample racks that can be stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member is positioned at specific locations (side surface of rack storage unit) where it can effectively control sample rack movement without interfering with the overall storage capacity. The local regulation function is concentrated at strategic points rather than distributed throughout the entire storage unit volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes a sample rack configured to hold a sample and comprising a notch; a rack storage unit in which the sample rack is stored; a transport path arranged to transport the sample rack moved from the rack storage unit; and a regulating member configured to regulate movement of the sample rack from the rack storage unit toward the transport path, wherein the regulating member is provided at a position corresponding to the notch provided in the sample rack, and enters an interior of the sample rack from the notch and abuts an interior wall of the sample rack as the sample rack moves from the rack storage unit toward the transport path.