Specimen Rack Transfer Locking Mechanism for Vibration Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen racks vibrate during transport due to contact with transport arms, and the engagement between guide rails and T-shaped recess portions fails to prevent this vibration effectively.
Innovation Solution
A rack lock mechanism is integrated with the transport arm to fix the relative position of the specimen rack, using rack lock members with recess portions that engage with the specimen rack to stabilize it during transport, eliminating the need for additional power or mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the specimen rack is pushed by the transport arm in the conventional manner, then the transport operation can be performed, but vibration occurs in the specimen rack during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The rack lock mechanism performs preliminary locking action before the transport arm pushes the specimen rack. The lock member engages with the locking groove in advance, establishing a stable connection that prevents vibration during subsequent transport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack lock mechanism acts as an intermediary between the transport arm and the specimen rack. It provides a stable coupling interface through the lock member and locking groove engagement, mediating the force transmission and eliminating direct contact vibrations.
2Reliability
If the guide rail and T-shaped recess portion are engaged to prevent falling, then the specimen rack is prevented from falling, but vibration cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: the guide rail and T-shaped recess portion for fall prevention, and the rack lock mechanism with lock member for vibration suppression. This segmentation allows each mechanism to optimize its specific function without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack lock mechanism engages in a different dimensional relationship with the specimen rack compared to the guide rail engagement. The lock member engages with a locking groove on the side surface of the rack, providing constraint in a different orientation that effectively suppresses vibration while the guide rail maintains fall prevention.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple specimen racks are arranged closely, then space utilization is improved, but interference between racks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rack lock mechanism serves as an intermediary that isolates each specimen rack during transport. By engaging the lock member with the locking groove, it creates an independent stable connection that prevents lateral movement and eliminates interference between closely arranged racks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A specimen rack transferring device and an automatic analyzer using it are provided which can suppress vibration during transportation of a specimen rack. In a specimen rack transferring device 200 transferring a specimen rack 4 which places a plurality of specimen containers 5 accommodating specimens, in a side-by-side manner in a longitudinal direction and can carry the plurality of specimen containers, the specimen rack transferring device includes a transport path 201 for transferring the specimen rack 4 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a transport arm 6 pushingly advancing the specimen rack 4 from an upstream side toward a downstream side of the transport path 201, and a rack lock mechanism provided at the transport arm 6 and fixing at least a relative position of the specimen rack 4 in a transport direction with respect to the transport arm 6.