Specimen Nozzle Cover Layout for Variable Container Heights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analysis devices face challenges in preventing foreign substances from entering between the nozzle and specimen container due to their increased size from incorporating rotating bodies, which compromises device compactness and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The analysis device employs a movable holding member, adjustable support member, and a cover mechanism that adjusts to accommodate specimen containers of varying heights, ensuring a predetermined gap is maintained to prevent foreign substance entry without the need for additional safety devices, thus maintaining a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotating body with first and second portions is used to prevent foreign substance entry, then safety is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance preventionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential safety function (preventing foreign substance entry) from the complex rotating body structure and implements it through a simpler cover mechanism that closes the gap between nozzle and specimen container, eliminating the need for rotating safety components while maintaining protective functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a cover that flexibly adapts to different specimen container heights while maintaining the protective barrier function, allowing the safety mechanism to be compact and adaptable without requiring rigid rotating structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is designed to accommodate specimen containers of varying heights, then versatility is improved, but maintaining a consistent gap for safety becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size accommodationVSAvoidgap consistency for safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a support member with adjustable height and a cover that can dynamically adapt its position based on the specimen container height, ensuring the protective gap is maintained consistently regardless of container variations through movable and adjustable components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the vertical position parameter of the support member and cover based on the specimen container height, allowing the system to maintain a consistent protective gap by adjusting these parameters dynamically to match different container sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250360501A1Analysis Device

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 ARKRAY INC

AI summary

An analysis device is disclosed. The device includes a device main body, a holding member that holds a specimen container movably between an approach position, which is close to the device main body, and a separation position, which is horizontally separated from the device main body, and a nozzle that is supported at a front side of the device main body to be movable between a collection position, where the nozzle enters the specimen container at the approach position from above to collect a specimen inside the specimen container, and a retraction position, where the nozzle retracts above the specimen container. The device also includes a cover that covers the nozzle, at the retraction position, at the front side, and a support member that is provided at the holding member to be positionally adjustable in a vertical direction and that supports the specimen container.