Transfer Arm Retraction for Autosampler Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automatic analysis system faces issues with temperature fluctuations and dew condensation due to the arm of the transfer system accessing the autosampler, which also interferes with the autosampler's mechanism, leading to increased power consumption and operational inhibition.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system with an arm having a first catcher at the distal end to hold the sample container, which is transferred to a second catcher at the transfer destination device, allowing the arm to retract and seal the autosampler's internal space, reducing access time and exposure to outside air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the arm of the transfer system accesses the autosampler to transfer the sample container, then the transfer function is enabled, but the internal space of the autosampler is exposed to outside air causing temperature fluctuation and dew condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The door is designed to dynamically open only when the arm is transferring the sample container and automatically close when the transfer is complete. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain thermal isolation during most operation cycles while enabling necessary access for sample transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer functionality and temperature stability.
2Reliability
If the arm of the transfer system remains in the autosampler during sample collection, then the transfer operation is complete, but the autosampler mechanism is interfered with and operation is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is extracted from the autosampler interior after the sample container is successfully transferred to the sample stage. By removing the arm from the autosampler's working space, the autosampler mechanism is freed from interference and can perform sample collection operations without obstruction, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer completion and operational productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the opening and closing door remains open during arm access, then the arm can transfer the sample container, but power consumption increases due to thermal isolation loss
Solution Approach 1:
The door operates periodically - opening only during the brief moment when the arm transfers the sample container and closing during all other times including during sample collection by the autosampler. This periodic action minimizes the duration of thermal isolation loss, thereby reducing power consumption while still enabling necessary transfer operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer system (1) is a transfer system (1) that transfers a sample container (S) containing a sample from a transfer source device (100) to a transfer destination device (200) disposed adjacent to the transfer source device (100), and the transfer system (1) includes an arm (2) having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end portion facing the transfer destination device (200), and a first catcher (4) for detachably holding the sample container (S) at the distal end, a drive mechanism (14) provided in the transfer source device (100) and configured to drive the arm (2) to move the first catcher (4) between a first position in the transfer source device (100) and a second position in the transfer destination device (200), and a second catcher (16) provided in the transfer destination device (200) and provided so that the sample container (S) is delivered and received between the first catcher (4) and the second catcher (16) when the first catcher (4) reaches the second position.