Cleaning Machine Transport Tray with Lift and Shelf Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning machines for medical devices require manual handling of cleaning carts, leading to reduced efficiency, increased labor costs, and potential contamination during the cleaning process.

Innovation Solution

An automatic transport device for cleaning machines, equipped with a lifting-lowering assembly, translation assembly, and sensing mechanisms, allows for automated movement and precise positioning of shelves between the transport device and the cleaning machine platform, reducing manual intervention and contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual handling of cleaning carts is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtransport device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device automatically performs transportation tasks without human intervention. The control system autonomously controls the moving assembly to transport the cleaning cart from the cleaning room to the sterilization room, and the lifting assembly automatically adjusts height levels, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual handling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated control system. The control system electronically coordinates the moving assembly and lifting assembly to perform transportation and height adjustment functions that previously required manual operation, substituting human labor with an automated control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If frequent manual ingress and egress occurs, then ease of operation is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device autonomously performs the transportation function, eliminating the need for operators to physically enter and exit the cleaning room frequently. The control system manages the entire process automatically, reducing human exposure to potential contaminants while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated transport device acts as an intermediary between the cleaning room and sterilization room. It handles the transportation of cleaning carts without requiring direct human intervention in the potentially contaminated cleaning environment, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining operational flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated transport device is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtransport device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device is divided into distinct functional modules: a moving assembly responsible for horizontal transportation and a lifting assembly responsible for vertical height adjustment. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design and reducing the burden of complexity on any single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4321458B1Automatic transport vehicle for cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 LAOKEN MEDICAL TECH
  • EP4321458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4321458B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4321458B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An automatic transport device for cleaning machines includes a transport base. A lifting-lowering assembly and a tray are provided on the transport base. The tray is connected to the transport base through the lifting-lowering assembly, and can be driven by the lifting-lowering assembly to reciprocate in a height direction. A top surface of the tray is provided with a translation assembly for transferring the shelf to the transport platform. A first mounting cavity is provided at each of front and rear ends of the tray. The translation assembly is connected to a side wall of the first mounting cavity. A second mounting cavity is provided at each of right and left ends of the tray. The second mounting cavity is provided with a limiting assembly, a lifting-lowering sensing assembly and a distance sensing assembly. An interactive system is provided in the transport base.