Container Collecting Device for Urinalysis Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container collecting devices for urinalysis often fail to properly stack tapered cylindrical paper containers due to tilting or wetting, leading to incomplete collection and increased frequency of removal, as the cylindrical guide becomes full prematurely.

Innovation Solution

A container collecting device with a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the container's largest outer diameter, extending in a gravity direction, and equipped with a supporter and actuator to stabilize and rotate the containers, ensuring proper alignment and stacking, along with sensors to detect fullness and trigger collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cylindrical guide with inner diameter larger than the container's largest diameter is used, then containers can be inserted easily, but containers may tilt or hang up and fail to stack properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of container insertionVSAvoidstacking precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cylindrical guide and the container. This guide member has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical guide's inner diameter, allowing it to fit within the guide while providing lateral support to the container. The guide member acts as a mediator that transfers the container from the loose cylindrical guide to a precise stacking position, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and precise stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding and stacking function is divided into two separate components: the cylindrical guide (for easy insertion) and the guide member (for precise positioning). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function - the cylindrical guide provides a large opening for easy container insertion, while the guide member provides precise lateral positioning to prevent tilting and ensure proper stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If containers are stacked in the cylindrical guide, then collection capacity increases, but the guide becomes full quickly requiring frequent removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of containers collectedVSAvoidtime for removal operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member enables containers to self-align and self-stack correctly as they are inserted into the cylindrical guide. By providing lateral guidance and preventing tilting, the system allows containers to automatically position themselves in the correct stacking sequence without requiring external intervention or complex positioning mechanisms, thereby increasing collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If containers are tilted or wet during insertion, then stacking reliability decreases, but using a larger guide diameter increases the risk of improper stacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance to container conditionsVSAvoidstacking reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member serves as a protective intermediary that shields containers from the adverse effects of the cylindrical guide's large diameter. By providing a narrower, more constrained path within the cylindrical guide, the guide member prevents tilted or wet containers from hanging up or becoming improperly positioned, thus maintaining stacking reliability even when containers are in suboptimal condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for efficient and hygienic stacking of a predetermined number of containers, reducing the frequency of removal and minimizing urine spillage, while maintaining a clean environment by ensuring containers are not obliquely stacked, thus enabling bulk collection and proper disposal.

Implementation Method 1

a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the largest outer diameter of the container and extending in a gravity direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

an actuator to move the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Data Source

PatentUS10183817B2Container collecting device and urinalysis apparatus using container collecting device

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 IDS CO LTD

AI summary

A container collecting device which stacks and collects containers each formed by closing a small-diameter side of a tapered cylinder. The container collecting device comprises that a guide cylinder having an inner diameter larger than the largest outer diameter of the container and extending in a gravity direction, and a supporter that supports the container at a lower end of the guide cylinder; and an actuator to move the container.