Test Piece Transfer Apparatus with Guide Member for Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional test piece transfer apparatuses face issues with test piece displacement and improper positioning during transfer, leading to hindered urine application in qualitative analysis, especially due to dust accumulation and high transfer speeds.

Innovation Solution

A test piece transfer apparatus with a mechanism comprising two test piece holders and a driving portion that moves reciprocally, utilizing upstream and downstream holding portions and adjusting surfaces to maintain the test piece's posture and prevent rotation around a vertical axis, ensuring smooth and accurate transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer speed is increased to improve productivity, then the transfer efficiency is improved, but the front edge of the test piece may rise from the belt surface causing improper positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary element between the test piece and the belt. This guide member extends in the width direction of the test piece and guides the front edge along its length direction, preventing the front edge from rising while allowing high-speed transfer to continue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the transfer speed is increased to improve productivity, then the transfer efficiency is improved, but the test piece may deviate from the proper position due to rotation around vertical axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member serves as a mediator that constrains the test piece's movement. By guiding the front edge along the guide member's length direction, it prevents rotational deviation around the vertical axis, maintaining position stability even at high transfer speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a conventional belt structure is used to simplify the device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the test piece cannot be properly positioned due to dust accumulation on the belt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is added as a simple intermediary structure that addresses the positioning problem caused by dust accumulation. It provides a dedicated guidance path for the test piece front edge, ensuring accurate positioning without complicating the overall belt transfer structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2605011B1Test piece transfer apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2605011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2605011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2605011B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A test piece transfer apparatus includes a transfer mechanism for transferring a test piece in a transfer direction. The transfer mechanism is provided with a test piece holder for holding the test piece, and with a driving portion. The test piece transfer apparatus further includes a test piece adjusting mechanism cooperating with the transfer mechanism for adjusting the direction of a test piece being transferred. The test piece holder includes a lower surface holding portion, an upstream holding portion and a downstream holding portion. The lower surface holding portion comes into contact with the lower surface of the test piece. The upstream holding portion is arranged on an upstream side of the test piece in the transfer direction. The downstream holding portion is arranged on a downstream side of the test piece in the transfer direction.