Automatic Analyzer With Shared Special Cleaning for Dispensing Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in maintaining analysis accuracy due to insufficient cleaning of dispensing nozzles, which are exacerbated by micro-quantity specimens and high sensitivity analyses, while also increasing the size and cost of the analyzer with dedicated special cleaning tanks for each dispensing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer design that incorporates a shared special cleaning tank and dedicated normal cleaning tanks for dispensing nozzles, along with drying mechanisms, to enhance cleaning performance without enlarging the analyzer's size or increasing costs, using a controller to manage operations and prevent interference between mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated special cleaning tanks are provided for each dispensing mechanism, then cleaning performance is improved, but the size of the analyzer is enlarged and manufacturing cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the special cleaning function into a shared cleaning tank that is commonly used by multiple dispensing mechanisms. Instead of providing dedicated special cleaning tanks for each dispensing mechanism, the invention combines the cleaning resources so that multiple mechanisms share the same cleaning tank, thereby reducing the overall size of the analyzer while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through coordinated control of cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tank is designed to serve multiple functions and multiple dispensing mechanisms simultaneously. The shared cleaning tank can perform special cleaning for different types of dispensing mechanisms (specimen dispensing, reagent dispensing, etc.) by adjusting cleaning parameters and sequences, making the cleaning system universal rather than dedicated to each specific mechanism.
2Reliability
If dedicated special cleaning tanks are provided for each dispensing mechanism, then cleaning performance is improved, but manufacturing cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple cleaning functions into a single shared cleaning tank, reducing the total number of cleaning tanks required. This merging of resources directly reduces manufacturing costs by decreasing the number of components that need to be produced, assembled, and maintained, while still providing effective cleaning for all dispensing mechanisms through coordinated operation.
3Device complexity
If multiple dispensing mechanisms share a common operation trajectory, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanism interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary planning and coordination of cleaning operations for multiple dispensing mechanisms. Before cleaning operations begin, the controller determines the cleaning sequence and timing to prevent interference, ensuring that mechanisms are positioned appropriately and cleaning operations are scheduled without conflict, thereby maintaining operation stability despite shared trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation sequences and timing of multiple dispensing mechanisms based on real-time conditions. The controller modifies cleaning schedules and mechanism movements dynamically to avoid interference while maintaining efficient use of the shared trajectory, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and prevent conflicts.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide an automatic analyzer capable of performing special cleaning while preventing an increase in a size of the entire analyzer and suppressing a manufacturing cost. Therefore, the invention is an automatic analyzer that dispenses each specimen and reagent in a reaction vessel so as to make the specimen and the reagent react with each other and measures a liquid obtained by the reaction. The automatic analyzer includes a plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a controller which controls the plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a normal cleaning tank dedicated to each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where only one of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms accesses, and performs normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed; and a special cleaning tank shared by each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where all of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms access, and performs cleaning different from the normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed.