Specimen Rack Transport Layout for Continuous Analyzer Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analysis devices require stopping the analysis and waiting for rack collection before additional racks can be loaded, leading to increased waiting time and labor, especially in small devices where racks are loaded one by one.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analysis device with a rack transport module that includes a rack supply part, a rack accommodating part, a rack transport line, a dispensing line, and a rack rotor, allowing for continuous analysis while additional racks are loaded using a cantilever rack tray for easy front-loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated buffer module is provided to enable additional rack loading during analysis, then racks can be loaded without stopping analysis, but the device size increases and configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The rack rotor is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the transport mechanism for moving racks through the analysis system and as the buffer storage mechanism for holding additional racks. By making the rotor multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated buffer module, thus avoiding increased device complexity while still enabling racks to be loaded during analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the transport function and buffer function into a single integrated rack rotor structure. The rotor simultaneously performs the role of transporting racks through the dispensing line and providing buffer storage capacity for additional racks, merging what would traditionally be separate modules into one unified component.
2Device complexity
If racks are loaded one by one in small automatic analysis devices, then the device configuration remains minimal, but waiting time and user labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rack rotor pre-positions and holds multiple racks in ready-to-load positions within its structure. This preliminary preparation allows racks to be quickly transferred to the dispensing line without requiring time-consuming sequential loading operations, thus reducing waiting time while maintaining minimal device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor enables continuous rack loading operations by maintaining a steady supply of racks in its buffer positions. As one rack is being processed, another can be simultaneously prepared in the rotor, ensuring continuous operation without interruptions or waiting time, while keeping the device configuration simple.
3Ease of operation
If all racks are discharged from the transport line before loading additional racks, then the transport line remains clear for loading, but analysis order changes and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack rotor segments the transport line into distinct functional zones: an active transport section and a buffer storage section. This segmentation allows additional racks to be loaded into the buffer section without interfering with the active transport and analysis process, maintaining analysis order and productivity while enabling flexible rack loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack rotor acts as an intermediary buffer between the transport line and the loading mechanism. It mediates the loading process by accepting additional racks into its buffer positions without requiring the transport line to clear all racks first, thus maintaining continuous analysis while enabling easy rack loading.
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatic analysis device, it is possible during specimen analysis to add/deposit one rack at a time without stopping the analysis, and it is easy to ascertain the analysis sequence. The analyzer has an analysis module, a rack transport module for transporting a specimen rack in which a specimen container storing a specimen is loaded, and a control device. The rack transport module includes a rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack, a rack accommodating part for accommodating a specimen rack, a rack transport line for transporting a specimen rack supplied from the rack supply part, a dispensing line for transporting a specimen rack to the analysis module, and a rack rotor for transferring a specimen rack between the rack transport line and the dispensing line. Operation of the rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack can be stopped independently of the operation of the analysis module.