Sample Transport Apparatus Wire Access via Segmented Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample transport apparatuses require extensive time for maintenance due to complex wire arrangements and prioritization of component accommodation, leading to inefficient maintenance processes.

Innovation Solution

A sample transport apparatus design that accommodates components in a compact manner, allowing for easy maintenance by providing openable/closable doors to access wires without removing the housing, and arranging wires and drive mechanisms in a way that reduces the distance between transport lines and the housing, enabling efficient access and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If wires are accommodated in the housing in a compact manner, then the apparatus size is reduced, but maintenance time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple accessible sections with openable/closable doors at different locations. This allows maintenance personnel to access specific wire areas without removing the entire housing, reducing maintenance time while maintaining compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Openable/closable doors serve as intermediary access points between the external environment and the wire accommodation space. These doors provide controlled access to wires without requiring complete housing disassembly, enabling efficient maintenance while preserving the compact housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the housing is removed for maintenance, then all component parts are accessible, but maintenance operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidmaintenance operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into accessible zones with strategically placed openable/closable doors. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access specific components or wire areas through localized door openings rather than removing the entire housing, significantly reducing maintenance operation time while maintaining ease of access to required components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is pre-configured with openable/closable doors positioned to provide direct access to commonly maintained components and wires. This preliminary design consideration eliminates the need for complete housing removal during routine maintenance, as personnel can directly access target components through pre-positioned door openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If wires are arranged in a complex manner to accommodate more connections, then connectivity is improved, but time to locate and access desired wire increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire connectivityVSAvoidtime to access wire
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wire accommodation space is divided into multiple accessible zones with openable/closable doors positioned to provide direct access to specific wire groups. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to quickly locate and access desired wires by opening only the relevant section, reducing access time even when the overall wire arrangement is complex and highly connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the housing are equipped with openable/closable doors based on the specific maintenance needs of the wire groups they enclose. This local quality approach ensures that frequently accessed or critical wire areas have direct access points, optimizing the balance between complex wire connectivity and efficient wire access time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2889236B1Sample transport apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP2889236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2889236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2889236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Proposed is a sample transport apparatus including at least one transport line stage including first and second transport lines each configured to transport sample holders each capable of holding at least one sample along a side wall of a housing along a long-side direction, a drive mechanism configured to transport the sample holders along the first and second transport lines, and wires accommodated in the housing and connected to at least the drive mechanism, in which the first transport line and the second transport line of the transport line stage are arranged in parallel along a long-side side face of the housing, and a first distance between the first transport line and the long-side side face that is adjacent the first transport line is shorter than a second distance between the first transport line and the second transport line.