Transport Mechanism for Analyzing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analyzing devices face challenges in reducing the time required for specimen testing, necessitating improved efficiency in sampling processing.
Innovation Solution
A transport mechanism that includes a table for multiple sample racks, a container sensor unit to identify sample containers, and a transport device that moves in tandem with the sensor unit to transport sample racks while identifying subsequent containers, enabling advance-read operations and parallel processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential processing is used where one sample rack is fully processed before moving to the next, then processing accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit performs preliminary identification of sample containers on the subsequent sample rack while the transport device is still transporting the current sample rack. This advance reading of container information allows the system to prepare for the next processing sequence without waiting for the current rack to be fully processed, thereby reducing idle time and improving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the transport operation of one sample rack with the identification operation of the next sample rack. The sensor unit and transport device work in parallel, ensuring that no component remains idle during the processing cycle, thus maximizing productivity without compromising accuracy.
2Productivity
If separate operations are used for transporting sample racks and identifying sample containers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is integrated with the transport device to form a combined system. The sensor unit is positioned on the transport device and moves together with it, allowing simultaneous transport and identification operations. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate operations required while improving processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device serves multiple functions: it transports sample racks to the sampling position and simultaneously supports the sensor unit for identifying sample containers on subsequent racks. This multi-functionality increases system efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a transport mechanism that is disposed in a measuring device used for dispensing biological samples from sample containers configured to contain the biological samples to cuvettes so as to perform a predetermined measurement, and transports a sample rack configured to hold the sample containers. The transport mechanism includes: a table on which the sample rack is provided in plurality and sequentially placed; a container sensor unit configured to identify the sample containers held on the sample rack; and a transport device configured to transport the sample rack holding the sample container identified by the container sensor unit to a dispensing position at which the biological samples are dispensed. The container sensor unit is disposed in the transport device, so that the transport device transports a preceding sample rack while the container sensor unit identifies sample containers held on a subsequent sample rack.