Laboratory apparatus comprising a mixing mechanism for mixing a medium of a slide and method for mixing a medium in a slide

Abstract

The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus (100) for mixing a medium in a slide (102), the laboratory apparatus (100) comprising: a carrier body (138); a base component (104) for receiving the slide (102), said base component being located on the carrier body (138) and being movable relative to the carrier body (138) for mixing purposes; and a mixing drive mechanism (140) which is located on the carrier body (138) and has a drive device (150), a first eccentric (152), and a second eccentric (154), which eccentrics can be driven by means of the drive device (150) and are designed to transmit a driving force generated by the drive device (150) to the base component (104) in order to mix the medium in the slide (102), the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) being located at a peripheral edge (156) of the carrier body (138) and outside a central region (158) of the carrier body (138).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a laboratory device and a method for mixing a medium.

[0002] EP 2,144,716 discloses a sample handling device for handling a sample, the sample handling device comprising a drive shaft driveable by a drive unit, a base plate mounted to follow a movement of the drive shaft when driven by the drive unit, the base plate configured to receive a sample support block mountable to follow a movement of the base plate, and a counterweight mounted asymmetrically on the drive shaft to at least partially counterbalance an unbalanced mass of the sample handling device during the movement.

[0003] EP 2,809,436 discloses a mechanism for generating an orbital motion for mixing, in particular for shaking, a fluid sample held by a sample holder. The mechanism comprises a stationary or lockable first gear having a first through-hole and a plurality of first teeth arranged along an outer circumference of the first gear. Furthermore, a movably mounted second gear having a second through-hole and a plurality of second teeth arranged along an outer circumference of the second gear is provided. A drive shaft is provided with a concentric first portion and an eccentric second portion, the first portion being guided through the first through-hole and the second portion being guided through the second through-hole. A coupling body has a plurality of third teeth arranged along an inner circumference of the coupling body.The coupling body is coupled to the first gear and to the second gear to engage a portion of the first teeth and a portion of the second teeth through a portion of the third teeth to thereby effect orbital movement of the second gear and a sample holder, the sample holder being mounted to follow movement of the second gear upon rotation of the first portion of the drive shaft.

[0004] CN 109 554 292 A discloses a laboratory device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a laboratory device and a method for mixing a medium in a microscope slide in a simple manner and with high precision.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features according to the independent patent claims. Further embodiments are shown in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a laboratory device for mixing a medium in a specimen slide is provided, wherein the laboratory device has a carrier body, a base component arranged on the carrier body and movable relative to the carrier body for mixing, for receiving the specimen slide, and a mixing drive mechanism arranged on the carrier body with a drive device, a first eccentric and a second eccentric, which are drivable by means of the drive device and are designed to transmit a drive force generated by the drive device (in particular to transmit a drive torque generated by the drive device and resulting from the drive force) to the base component in order to mix the medium in the specimen slide, wherein the first eccentric and the second eccentric are arranged on a peripheral edge of the carrier body and outside a central region of the carrier body.The laboratory device further comprises at least one pendulum support movably mounted between the support body and the base component, wherein the at least one pendulum support is mounted on the underside in at least one first recess in the support body and on the top side in at least one second recess in the base component. At least one first counter-rotating plate is arranged on the support body in contact with a bottom surface of the at least one pendulum support and / or at least one second counter-rotating plate is arranged on the base component in contact with a top surface of the at least one pendulum support.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for mixing a medium in a slide is provided, the method comprising receiving the slide on a base member arranged on a support body and movable relative to the support body for mixing, arranging a mixing drive mechanism comprising a drive device, a first eccentric, and a second eccentric on the support body, arranging the first eccentric and the second eccentric at a peripheral edge of the support body and outside a central region of the support body, and driving the first eccentric and the second eccentric by means of the drive device to transmit a drive force generated by the drive device to the base member to mix the medium in the slide.At least one pendulum support is movably mounted between the support body and the base component, wherein the at least one pendulum support is mounted on the underside in at least one first recess in the support body and on the top side in at least one second recess in the base component. At least one first counter-running plate is arranged on the support body in contact with a bottom surface of the at least one pendulum support and / or at least one second counter-running plate is arranged on the base component in contact with a top surface of the at least one pendulum support.

[0009] In the context of the present application, a "laboratory device" can be understood as meaning devices, tools and aids used in particular in a chemistry laboratory, biochemistry laboratory, biophysics laboratory, pharmaceutical laboratory and / or medical laboratory, which can be used to carry out chemical, biochemical, biophysical, pharmaceutical and / or medical processes such as sample treatments, sample preparations, sample separations, sample tests, sample examinations, syntheses and / or analyses.

[0010] In the context of the present application, a "microscope slide" can be understood, in particular, as a device designed to hold a medium to be handled in a laboratory (for example, a medium that may be liquid and / or solid and / or gaseous). In particular, a microscope slide can be designed to hold a substance in one container or, preferably, several substances in different containers. For example, a microscope slide can be a sample carrier plate, such as a microtiter plate with a plurality of wells.

[0011] In the context of the present application, a "mixing drive mechanism" can be understood in particular as an arrangement of elements or components that are configured to cooperate to exert a mixing force on medium in a slide mounted on the laboratory device.

[0012] In the context of the present application, an "eccentric" can be understood to mean, in particular, a control body (in particular a control disk or a control cylinder) mounted asymmetrically on a rotating, driven shaft, the center of which lies outside the shaft axis. In other words, an eccentric can be an asymmetrically rotating body mounted on a shaft. For example, an eccentric can also be designed as a double eccentric (see Figure 75 ) According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an eccentric can be used to convert, in particular, a rotary motion into an orbital motion. An orbital motion can be understood here as the circular motion of the specimen slide and the medium contained therein around centers formed by two eccentric shafts. Preferably, an orbital motion can occur within a horizontal plane.

[0013] In the context of the present application, a "drive device" can be understood in particular as a force, torque, or energy source that drives the eccentrics in rotation. In particular, such a drive device can be an electric motor that can be supplied with electrical energy from a power grid or a battery. Alternatively, the drive device can also comprise a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine. The drive device can generate a rotational force that can be converted by the eccentrics, for example, into an orbital motion.

[0014] In the context of the present application, "eccentrics on a peripheral edge of a carrier body outside a central region of the carrier body" can be understood in particular to mean that the two eccentrics protrude from the edge of a housing of the carrier body rather than centrally, in order to be operatively coupled to the base component in a force-locking manner. In other words, the two eccentrics should both be arranged on an edge of the carrier body, thereby leaving a cavity formed between the two eccentrics in a center of the carrier body. Below the cavity, for example, the drive device can be recessed in the housing of the carrier body, leaving a recess in the central region of the carrier body. However, it is also possible to attach the drive device to the edge of the carrier body, whereby the central region can also be formed, for example, by a through-hole in the carrier body.The cavity left free by the edge-side arrangement of the two eccentrics is freely available, for example to serve for the flow of cooling gas and / or to be able to be fully or partially filled by an interaction device for functional interaction with a specimen slide fixed to the base component. For example, such a cavity can be fully or partially filled by a heat sink (as an interaction device) on an underside of the base component in order to cool medium in the specimen slide. When the eccentrics are arranged in the region of a peripheral edge of the carrier body, a distance of a respective eccentric from an external side wall of a housing of the carrier body can, for example, be less than 25%, in particular less than 20% of a housing width.The distance between the two eccentrics, which may be laterally offset from each other, can be, for example, at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, of the said housing width. The exposed central area of ​​the support body, which corresponds to an area of ​​the cavity in plan view, can be, for example, at least 50%, in particular at least 60% of the area of ​​the support body in plan view.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a laboratory device is created which, by means of (exactly or at least) two rotationally driven eccentrics projecting vertically beyond a support body, can impart a cyclical and preferably planar rotary movement to a base component mounted on the eccentrics, thereby efficiently mixing medium in a specimen slide on the base component. Advantageously, the two eccentrics are mounted on the edges, preferably on opposite edges, of the support body, leaving a large-volume hollow space between them, which can be used with a high degree of design freedom to be filled by an interaction device for providing a function to the specimen slide and the medium contained therein. However, the hollow space can also remain at least partially free and be used, for example, for cooling purposes.

[0016] Additional exemplary embodiments of the laboratory device and the method are described below.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, a cavity can be formed in the central region. At least part of an interaction device can advantageously be arranged in this cavity. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity can be made usable for other purposes, for example as a flow volume for cooling fluid. Preferably, the carrier body can be designed to guide or allow a cooling fluid (i.e., a cooling gas and / or a cooling liquid) to flow from an exterior of the laboratory device through the cavity. Advantageously, cooling fluid, in particular ambient air, can flow through a predeterminable cavity above the carrier body and below the base component, as well as laterally between the eccentrics, for example to effectively cool a heat sink attached to the underside of the base component in thermal contact with the medium of the specimen slide.The flow of the cooling fluid through the cavity can be promoted by at least one fan, which can be mounted in the support body. For example, such a fan can draw in ambient air and transport it into the cavity. This can achieve high cooling performance.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier body can have at least one cooling opening on each of its opposite sides, through which the cooling fluid flows from outside the laboratory device through the cavity and back out of the laboratory device. A cooling path defined by the air flow can be precisely defined by forming an inlet for cooling air and an outlet for heated air on two opposite side surfaces of the carrier body, preferably at different heights. This allows a draft of ambient air to be precisely defined through the (preferably lower and / or larger) inlet, through the cavity, and to the (preferably higher and / or smaller) outlet. This draft can be amplified by at least one fan or ventilators, which can be arranged in the region of the inlet or outlet in the carrier body.In this way, effective cooling of the slide and the medium contained therein can be advantageously achieved. Preferably, the vertically offset positioning of the inlet and outlet is designed to accommodate the tendency of successively heated air to flow upwards. This can further increase the cooling efficiency.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, a cavity can be formed in the central region, in which a heat sink is completely or partially accommodated on an underside of the base component. Such a heat sink, at least partially accommodated in the cavity, can, for example, have a solid thermally conductive plate that is mounted on an underside of the base component and can therefore, for example, be thermally coupled to a thermal coupling plate of the base component for mounting the specimen slide. A plurality of cooling fins can extend downwards from the solid thermally conductive plate to increase the surface area and thus improve thermal exchange, between which through-channels for the flow of cooling fluid are provided. The through-channels can extend along at least a partial section between the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have a thermal coupling plate on the base component, which forms at least part of a support surface of the specimen slide on the upper side. Such a thermal coupling plate can have a particularly high thermal conductivity (in particular at least 50 W / mK) in order to achieve a strong thermal coupling between the specimen slide and the base component. In particular, the thermal coupling plate can be a metal plate, for example, an aluminum plate.

[0021] For the purpose of a further improved thermal coupling of medium in the specimen slide with a temperature control device in the laboratory device (in particular in the basic component), it is also possible to attach a metallic temperature control adapter to the thermal coupling plate, for example by screwing it onto it (see for example Figure 3). Such a temperature control adapter can, for example, contain a plurality of receiving spaces into which a specimen slide (such as a microtiter plate with a correspondingly profiled base) or individual sample vessels can be inserted in a form-fitting manner.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal coupling plate can be thermally coupled to the underside of the heat sink. For example, the thermal coupling plate can be in full contact with the heat sink or can be separated from the heat sink only by another thermally conductive intermediate body. This allows a highly thermally conductive path to be formed between the specimen slide and the heat sink, with a cooling airflow flowing past the underside of the heat sink.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device (and in particular the carrier body) can have a ring-shaped closed first power transmission mechanism (in particular a first toothed belt) for transmitting the drive force from the drive device to the first eccentric and / or a ring-shaped closed second power transmission mechanism (in particular a second toothed belt) for transmitting the drive force from the drive device to the second eccentric. An embodiment with a first power transmission mechanism and a second power transmission mechanism in the form of two toothed belts is described in Figure 33 and Figure 34In such an embodiment, for example, a first circumferentially closed toothed belt or synchronous belt can be in engagement with a gear of the drive device and with a gear of the first eccentric, whereas a second circumferentially closed toothed belt or synchronous belt can be in engagement with the gear of the drive device and another gear of the second eccentric. Advantageously, the two circumferentially closed toothed belts can be recessed into the carrier body to leave a correspondingly large cavity between the eccentrics.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have a single, ring-shaped, closed power transmission mechanism, in particular a toothed belt or synchronous belt, for transmitting the drive force from the drive device to the first eccentric and to the second eccentric. Such another embodiment with only a single power transmission mechanism in the form of a circumferentially closed toothed belt is described in Figure 70shown. In such an embodiment, the circumferentially closed toothed belt can be in engagement with a gear of the drive device, with another gear of the first eccentric, with an additional gear of the second eccentric, and optionally with another gear of a deflection pulley. The toothed belt can run along an outer circumference of the carrier body, preferably on its underside. According to such a preferred embodiment, a particularly large central area can be kept free of the eccentrics and even the entire mixing drive mechanism and run along an entire outer circumference of the carrier body. With such a configuration, a particularly large amount of space remains for the implementation of an interaction device for expanding the functionality of the laboratory device.It may then even be advantageous to equip the carrier body with a central through-hole and thereby make a carrier body mounted on the base component fully accessible from the underside of the laboratory device.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have at least one balancing mass for at least partially compensating for an imbalance generated by the first eccentric and the second eccentric, as well as the base component (and an optionally mounted specimen slide including medium) during operation (particularly during orbital operation). Such a balancing mass can reduce or completely or partially compensate for the imbalance, which in particular acts or is exerted by the eccentrics and the base component on the associated eccentric shafts, as well as on a shaft of the drive device that is operatively coupled to the eccentrics. This can advantageously reduce bearing forces and reduce wear on the components of the laboratory device, thereby increasing the service life of the laboratory device.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one balancing mass can be asymmetrically fixed to the drive device and rotate with its shaft (see for example Figure 31 ). For example, a single balancing mass can partially surround the drive device in order to at least partially compensate for the mechanical loads generated, in particular, by the eccentrics.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment, a first balancing mass may be fixedly attached to the first eccentric and a second balancing mass may be fixedly attached to the second eccentric (see, for example, Figure 66 ). According to such a design, a respective balancing mass can be provided for each eccentric, which co-rotates with the associated eccentric and can precisely compensate for the unbalance forces of an associated eccentric.

[0028] According to a further exemplary embodiment, a balancing mass, in particular a frame-shaped one, can be attached to at least one of the first eccentric (in particular designed as a double eccentric) and the second eccentric (in particular designed as a double eccentric). Such a frame-shaped balancing mass can be arranged, for example, between the carrier body and the base component. A frame-shaped balancing mass can be designed to execute a movement opposite to that of the base component during mixing (see Figure 75 and Figure 76One advantage of a frame-shaped balancing mass, for example, for performing an orbital movement, is that it requires a particularly small installation space. Furthermore, it allows for the compensation of even larger moving masses. The frame-shaped balancing mass can move orbitally like the base component, but eccentrically in the opposite direction to it. For example, a frame-shaped, closed balancing mass can be implemented, which can be designed to absorb or compensate for the bearing loads generated, in particular, by the eccentrics.

[0029] The laboratory device has at least one pendulum support, in particular a plurality of pendulum supports, which is or are movably mounted between the support body and the base component. A "pendulum support" can be understood in particular as a rigid, elongated component with contact surfaces preferably curved on the top and bottom, which, during operation, performs a spatially limited rocking movement, in particular a combined rotation and tilting. The pendulum supports support or guide the base component on the support body in a plane defined by the pendulum supports. In other words, not only a force coupling or torque coupling can take place between the support body and the base component by means of the two eccentrics to transmit a mixed movement, preferably an orbital movement (more preferably a planar one), but the pendulum supports can also function as bearings and guides for the base component and the support body in a plane.

[0030] Particularly when using several (preferably at least three, in particular four) pendulum supports, a mounting of the base component acting as a shaking tray relative to the stationary support body of the laboratory device can advantageously allow a mixing movement only in one plane (in particular a horizontal plane).

[0031] The at least one pendulum support is mounted on the underside in at least one first recess in the support body and on the top side in at least one second recess in the base component. This allows the support provided by the pendulum supports to be guided in a particularly precise manner. At least one first counter-running plate is arranged on the support body in contact with a bottom surface of the at least one pendulum support and / or at least one second counter-running plate is arranged on the base component in contact with a top surface of the at least one pendulum support. The pendulum support on the one hand and preferably two counter-running plates as force interfaces of the support body and the base component can transmit the force between the base component and the support body in the vertical direction, whereas the pendulum support fulfills a bearing and guiding function in a horizontal plane.According to one embodiment, the respective counter-rotating plate can be a separate body that is attached to the base component or the support body. According to another embodiment, the respective counter-rotating plate can form an integral part of a housing of the base component or the support body.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one first counter-rotating plate and / or the at least one second counter-rotating plate can comprise or consist of ceramic. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the at least one pendulum support can comprise or consist of plastic. In particular, the ceramic-plastic material pairing represents a particularly advantageous tribological system comprising the counter-rotating plate and pendulum support and promotes a low-friction, low-wear, and low-noise coupling between the carrier body and the base component.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one pendulum support, on the one hand, and the at least one first counter-rotating plate and / or the at least one second counter-rotating plate, on the other hand, can be configured for an (at least substantially) rolling-friction, and in particular (at least substantially) sliding-friction-free, interaction. This can be achieved by mutually adapting the geometry of the pendulum supports and counter-rotating plates, as well as the vertically opposing recesses of the base component and carrier body for receiving the counter-rotating plates. A guided movement of the base component relative to the carrier body, with the pendulum supports arranged therebetween and driven by the eccentrics, achieved by rolling friction and preferably without sliding friction, ensures particularly low-loss and energy-saving mixed operation in a highly controlled manner.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one pendulum support can have a laterally extended head section and a laterally extended base section, as well as a pin section arranged between the head section and the base section. During operation, the base section rolls on the support body, and the head section rolls on the base component. Such a design is significantly more space-saving than using balls instead of pendulum supports.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, an outer surface of the head section can have a first spherical surface and / or an outer surface of the base section can have a second spherical surface. Configuring the contact surfaces of the head section and base section as spherical surfaces advantageously promotes a force coupling between the base component and the carrier body dominated by rolling friction and low in sliding friction.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment, a first radius of the first spherical surface and / or a second radius of the second spherical surface can be larger than an axial length of the at least one pendulum support. Illustratively, the radii of the two opposing spherical surfaces should be selected to be very large, preferably larger than the axial extent of the entire pendulum support. This promotes a low-friction yet precisely guided force coupling between the base component and the support body.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have four pendulum supports, which are mounted in pairs on opposite sides of the support body and the base component. For example, the first eccentric can be arranged along a first longitudinal edge of the laboratory device between two pendulum supports. Similarly, the second eccentric can be arranged along a second longitudinal edge of the laboratory device, opposite the first longitudinal edge, between two other pendulum supports. All four pendulum supports can be identical. Such a configuration has proven particularly advantageous for achieving a low-friction and precisely guided mixing movement.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first eccentric and the second eccentric can be arranged on opposite side edges of the carrier body, and in particular laterally offset from one another. In particular, the two eccentrics can be arranged on opposite long side edges of a substantially rectangular carrier body. One of the two eccentrics can be arranged closer to one of the two short side edges of the carrier body than the other of the two eccentrics. Such a configuration leads to a particularly stable arrangement of the base component on the carrier body.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive device can be arranged between the first eccentric and the second eccentric. In particular, in one exemplary embodiment, the drive device can be arranged approximately in the middle of a connecting line between the two eccentrics, preferably vertically lowered into a housing of the carrier body, leaving a hollow space between the two eccentrics (see, for example, Figure 31 ). Such an arrangement saves space and ensures short drive paths, allowing the eccentrics to be driven reliably and with minimal loss. In such an embodiment, a force coupling between a drive device and the two eccentrics can be achieved by short, circumferential, closed toothed belts or other power transmission mechanisms.

[0040] According to another exemplary embodiment, the first eccentric can be arranged in a first corner and the second eccentric in a second corner, in particular in two opposite corners, of the carrier body (see, for example, Figure 70). Then the drive device can be arranged in a third corner of the carrier body, in particular in a third corner between the first corner with the first eccentric and the second corner with the second eccentric. According to such an embodiment, the coupling between the drive device and the eccentrics can be effected by means of a power transmission mechanism (such as a toothed belt) which, by deflecting on gear wheels or the like, forms, for example, a substantially L-shaped power transmission path between the drive device and the two eccentrics. In this case, the drive device is located at the inflection point of the L, whereas the two eccentrics are arranged at the end points of the L.With such a configuration, the drive of the eccentrics for generating a mixing movement of the base component can be accommodated along a circumference of the support body, leaving a central area of ​​the support body free, for example, for the attachment of an interaction device. Said gears can be provided, for example, on the drive device and on each of the two eccentrics in order to drive a toothed belt, for example, a fully circumferential toothed belt, by means of the drive device and to transmit its drive force to the two eccentrics.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have a deflection pulley arranged in a fourth corner of the support body. In this way, a circular, rectangular toothed belt can be provided, which can run completely along a circumference of the support body, thereby leaving a large interior or central area of ​​the support body exposed inside the circulating toothed belt. The deflection pulley, which is rotatably mounted on the support body, can also have a gear that engages with the circulating toothed belt to deflect it.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have a movable first positioning stop for engaging a first edge region of the slide, a second positioning stop for engaging a second edge region of the slide, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the slide to the base component between the first positioning stop and the second positioning stop by moving at least the first positioning stop. Within the context of the present application, a "positioning stop" can be understood in particular as a body, component, or mechanism that is designed to adjoin or engage an edge region of a slide in order to thereby exert a fixing and / or positioning influence on the slide. In particular, a positioning stop can exert a fixing force on a slide, at least temporarily securing it.In the context of the present application, an "edge region of a slide" can be understood as a position at or near a circumferential boundary of a slide. In particular, an edge of a slide can be defined by a side wall of the slide. In the context of the present application, a "fixing mechanism" can be understood as an arrangement of interacting elements or components that jointly exert a fixing force on a slide that fixes the slide in a predetermined position.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing mechanism can be arranged along at least part of a circumference of the base component, leaving a central region of the base component surrounded by the circumference free. According to this configuration, the fixing mechanism for fixing the specimen slide to the laboratory device can be arranged partially or completely circumferentially around a central region of a base component of the laboratory device by actuating an actuating device. In other words, the fixing mechanism can be guided along an edge of the base component and can also be guided around an outer edge of the specimen slide.Because the fixation mechanism for securing the slide has no components that extend into an interior area of ​​the base component (over which the slide can be positioned), the central area below the slide remains free to accommodate an interaction device for functional interaction with the slide. This ensures that the fixation mechanism imposes no restrictions on direct functional interaction between the laboratory device and the slide mounted on it.Advantageously, such a ring-shaped, circumferential fixing mechanism can also achieve a low-force actuation of the same by an actuating device and a robust self-locking against an undesired detachment of the slide from the laboratory device, even if significant operating forces (for example, an orbital force for mixing medium in the slide) act on the slide during operation of the laboratory device.

[0044] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing mechanism can be arranged along an underside of the base component facing away from the specimen slide. It is particularly preferred if the fixing mechanism extends along the underside of the base component in a completely closed manner along the edge. In such a configuration, not only is the entire upper side of the base component kept free to accommodate even a large specimen slide, but a large central area on the underside of the base component can also be used entirely or partially to accommodate an interaction device and / or remain entirely or partially free for the flow of a cooling gas.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing mechanism can extend along the entire circumference of the base component. In particular, a force transmission path of the fixing mechanism can be arranged in a closed ring along the entire outer circumference of the base component. Such force transmission can be achieved, for example, by a toothed belt that extends completely along all side edges of the base component and undergoes a force-deflecting change in its direction of extension at each of the corners of the base component by means of a respective component of the fixing mechanism (in particular by means of one or more guide pulleys and / or one or more deflection elements). When reference is made to a "guide pulley" in this application, this can refer to a round guide pulley or a guide pulley with a different shape.More generally, guide structures of any other type can be used instead of guide discs.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have an actuating device for actuating the fixing mechanism to transfer at least the first positioning stop between an operating state that fixes the slide and an operating state that releases the slide. In the context of the present application, an "actuating device" can be understood in particular as a mechanical arrangement that enables a user, actuator, and / or handler robot to apply an actuating force to the laboratory device to specify a defined operating mode. In particular, at least part of the actuating device can be attached to an exterior of the laboratory device to enable access to the actuating device, in particular by a user and / or handler robot.Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to mount at least part of the actuating device inside the laboratory device, in order to enable access, in particular, to an actuator also mounted inside the laboratory device. The actuating device can be actuated, for example, by a longitudinal force on a longitudinally displaceable element and / or by a rotational force on a pivotable lever or the like.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixing drive mechanism and the fixing mechanism can be decoupled from one another. Advantageously, the mixing drive mechanism can be formed exclusively in the carrier body, and the fixing mechanism can be formed exclusively in the base component. As a result, the mixing drive mechanism and the fixing mechanism can be spatially and functionally separated from one another. In other words, the fixing mechanism can be activated to release the specimen slide or deactivated to fix the specimen slide by actuating the actuating device, without this having an effect on the mixing drive mechanism. Conversely, the mixing drive mechanism can be activated to drive the eccentrics by means of its drive device, without this having an effect on the fixing mechanism.In other words, the actuating device and the locking mechanism can be mechanically decoupled from the mixing drive mechanism. This avoids undesirable interaction between the locking function and the mixing function, allowing both functions to be used independently of each other.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can comprise an actuator mounted on the support body for electromechanically controlling the actuating device arranged on the base component for actuating the fixation mechanism. According to this automated control, the fixation mechanism can be selectively actuated to engage or release the specimen slide.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have at least one interaction device that is arranged entirely or partially in the exposed central region of the carrier body (and / or entirely or partially in an exposed central region of a basic component of the laboratory device) and / or is designed to act through the exposed central region (in particular on a received slide or on the medium received therein). In the context of the present application, the term "interaction device" can be understood as a device that, in addition to mixing (and optionally by fixing a slide by means of a fixing mechanism and positioning stops, and by corresponding optional actuation by an actuating device), provides at least one additional function for functionally influencing the medium in the slide.Such an interaction device can, for example, be a device that adjusts or influences at least one operating parameter (e.g. temperature) of the medium in the slide, characterizes the medium in the slide using sensors (e.g. by optical sensors) and / or specifically manipulates the medium in the slide (e.g. by exciting it using electromagnetic radiation or separating it using magnetic forces).

[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment, the interaction device can be selected from a group consisting of a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of a medium in the slide, an optical apparatus for optically interacting with a medium in the slide, and a magnetic mechanism for magnetically interacting with a medium in the slide. For example, a temperature of the medium (e.g., a liquid sample) in the slide or in individual compartments of the slide can be adjusted by means of a temperature control device of the base component below a mounted slide. This can include heating the medium to a temperature above an ambient temperature and / or cooling the medium to a temperature below an ambient temperature.For example, heating or cooling can be achieved using a heating wire (for heating) or a Peltier element (for selective heating or cooling). By keeping a central region of the base component free from the fixing mechanism, this can be used to house a temperature control device or at least part of it. However, it is also possible to accommodate an optically active device in the central region of the base component in order to optically interact with the medium in the mounted slide. For example, such an optically active device can comprise an electromagnetic radiation source that radiates electromagnetic radiation (in particular visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-ray light, etc.) onto the medium in the slide.Such exposure of the medium in the slide to electromagnetic radiation can be carried out, for example, to excite the medium, to trigger chemical reactions in the medium, and / or to heat the medium. It is also possible for such an optically active device to have an electromagnetic radiation detector that detects electromagnetic radiation propagating from the medium in the slide. A magnetic mechanism arranged in the free central region of the support body and / or base component below the slide for magnetically acting on the medium in the slide can, for example, magnetically separate, excite, or otherwise influence the medium.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixing drive mechanism can be designed to generate an orbital mixing movement. An orbital movement can be understood here as the movement of the specimen slide and the medium contained therein around centers formed by two eccentric shafts. In other words, a plate of the base component that receives the specimen slide can be driven by two eccentrics (i.e., two eccentrically designed shafts), which in turn are driven synchronously by an electric motor or a drive device. A resulting orbital movement can bring about particularly effective mixing of medium (in particular a liquid, a solid, and / or a gas) in a receiving container of the specimen slide. The orbital movement of the base component preferably takes place within a horizontal plane.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive device can be coupled to the first eccentric and to the second eccentric for the synchronous movement of the first eccentric and the second eccentric. The two eccentrics can thus be driven by means of a common drive device such that their eccentric rotational movements are coordinated in time with one another, in particular rotate in phase. This allows the two eccentrics to interact to generate a defined mixing movement for mixing the medium in the specimen slide. When the shaking tray is mounted on pendulum supports with spherical end surfaces, there is a risk of unwanted twisting during the execution of the mixing movement if there is only one central eccentric drive. This is reliably prevented by using two synchronously moving eccentrics arranged on the edges.Eccentrics with synchronous drive arranged on one edge of the support body are therefore extremely advantageous, especially when using the pendulum supports described above.

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can comprise the specimen slide, in particular a sample support plate, mounted on the base component. In particular, the specimen slide can be a sample support plate, which preferably comprises a plurality (in particular at least 10, more particularly at least 100) of sample receiving containers or sample receiving wells arranged, for example, in a matrix. Furthermore, such a sample support plate can be a microtiter plate. Advantageously, a specimen slide receiving surface on an upper side of the base component and an underside of the specimen slide can be structurally adapted to one another.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment, a detachably mounted and thermally conductive temperature control adapter (in particular with a thermal conductivity of at least 50 W / mK, for example consisting of metal such as aluminum) can be arranged on the base component for tempering the object carrier or vessels (see for example Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 9 This allows flexible mounting of the temperature control adapter if specific temperature control of the slide or individual sample vessels is desired.

[0055] In particular, the temperature control adapter can have receiving openings for the positive reception of the slide or the vessels (see for example Figure 3 This offers a highly thermally conductive and intuitive way for the user to precisely, easily and flexibly control the temperature of slides or vessels.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment, the temperature control adapter may be selected from a group consisting of a flat plate for receiving a slide with a flat bottom (compare Figure 2 ), and a frame with openings for holding a slide with a profiled bottom or vessels containing medium (compare Figure 3 and Figure 9). With a temperature control adapter designed as a flat plate, the laboratory device can be adapted, for example, to a specimen slide with a flat bottom, ensuring particularly good thermal coupling of such a specimen slide with the base component. Alternatively, the temperature control adapter can be designed, for example, as a metal frame having a plurality of receiving openings into which a specimen slide with a profiled underside or sample vessels or the like can be inserted and thermally coupled to the base component. For example, such a temperature control adapter can have a matrix-like arrangement of receiving openings along rows and columns.

[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier body on which the base component can be movably mounted can be an annular body with a central through-hole (which can correspond to a free central region of the carrier body). Alternatively or additionally, the base component can be an annular body with a central through-hole (which can correspond to the free central region of the base component). A corresponding embodiment can be found, for example, in Figure 65 to Figure 72. In such a configuration, the exposure of a respective central region can be achieved by forming a central through-hole in the base component and by forming a central through-passage in the carrier body. A configuration in which both the base component and the carrier body are each annular is particularly advantageous, so that the base component and carrier body, when mounted to one another, also have a common through-hole formed by their exposed central regions. Advantageously, in such a laboratory device in which a specimen slide is mounted on the base component, medium received therein can be accessible from an underside of the laboratory device through the through-holes of the carrier body and base component in order to bring an interaction device (for example a temperature control device or an optical sensor device) into interaction with the medium.

[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment, a bottom-side connecting plate of the carrier body can be provided with an electrical connector for wireless electrical connection to a base module (for example a base plate) for mounting the carrier body (see Figure 17 to Figure 21 This enables rapid assembly or replacement of a piece of laboratory equipment while creating an electrical connection (e.g., for supplying electrical power and / or for communication-capable coupling) by simply plugging the carrier body onto a base plate with a correspondingly adapted mating connector.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first eccentric can be mounted on the drive device, and the second eccentric can be power-coupled to the drive device by means of a power transmission belt. Clearly, the first eccentric can be mounted directly, and in particular without a power transmission belt, on the drive device (e.g., an electric motor) in order to follow a drive movement of the drive device. This saves components and therefore results in a compact laboratory device. The second eccentric can be power-coupled to the drive device by means of a power transmission belt (e.g., a toothed belt) in order to transfer drive energy from the drive device to the second eccentric by means of the power transmission belt. The described configuration also ensures that the movement of the two eccentrics is synchronized.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, the laboratory device can have a normal force generating device for generating a normal force to inhibit the movable base component from lifting off the support body and / or at least one pendulum support between the support body and the base component. During operation of the laboratory device, the aim is to reliably prevent the movable base component from moving away from the stationary support body in the vertical direction. The vertical direction can also be referred to as the normal direction, since it is oriented perpendicular or normal to a horizontal plane in which the movement of the base component relative to the support body occurs during operation of the laboratory device. Advantageously, a normal force generating device can generate a normal force that holds the base component to the support body during operation. This can improve the operational reliability of the laboratory device.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment, the normal force generating device and the mixing drive mechanism can be configured to decouple the normal force generation by means of the normal force generating device, on the one hand, and the horizontal force generation by means of the mixing drive mechanism, on the other. According to such a preferred embodiment, the normal force is generated by the normal force generating device, and the horizontal force for moving the base component relative to the carrier body is generated by the mixing drive mechanism, more precisely by its driven eccentrics. This force decoupling ensures, in particular, that the bearings on the eccentrics are only subjected to radial loads and have to absorb virtually no axial forces. This protects the eccentric bearings from wear and increases their service life.More specifically, the normal force generation device ensures that, during operation, the base component (which, according to one embodiment, can be designed as a shaking tray) cannot lift off the pendulum supports between the support body and the base component. This protects the eccentric bearings from excessive mechanical stress. By separating radial forces (generated by the eccentrics) from the normal force generated by the normal force generation device, the bearings (particularly ball bearings) of the eccentrics are essentially only subjected to radial loads. In contrast, axial forces in the normal direction can be absorbed, for example, by the pendulum supports, which have good axial load capacity.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, the normal force generating device can comprise at least one normal force generating spring (e.g., a helical spring or a disc spring) that couples the base component to the support body. The use of a mechanical spring for the separation-preventing coupling of the base component and support body has the advantage that it does not generate magnetic fields, which under unfavorable circumstances could affect the electronics or magnetic applications (e.g., magnetic separation) of the laboratory device.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment, the normal force generating device can comprise a flexible element operatively connected to the at least one normal force generating spring, wherein one of the at least one normal force generating spring and the flexible element is attached to the base component, and the other of the at least one normal force generating spring and the flexible element is attached to the support body. The term "flexible" in this context can be understood in particular to mean that the element is rigid in the tensile direction but flexible transversely to the tensile direction. An example of this is a tensile fiber (e.g., a steel cable), which can be bent or deflected at an angle, but which cannot be stretched or changed in length in the longitudinal direction or in the tensile direction due to the application of force, or can only be stretched or changed in length with difficulty.Illustratively, the flexible element (e.g., a rope or wire), preferably attached to the base component, can follow mixed movements in a horizontal plane. The normal force-generating spring, preferably attached to the support body, can be preloaded and, if the base component is briefly lifted from the support body, retract the base component downward by means of the flexible element.

[0064] Alternatively, the normal force-generating spring can be designed as a tension spring between the base component and the support body. A flexible element may then be dispensed with.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment, the normal force generating device can comprise at least two normal force generating magnets coupling the base component to the carrier body. For example, at least one first normal force generating magnet can be provided on the base component and at least one second normal force generating magnet can be provided on the carrier body, wherein the first and second normal force generating magnets can attract one another. The use of contactless magnets on the base component and carrier body represents a particularly simple and low-wear implementation of the normal force generating device.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least two normal force-generating magnets can be designed to attract or repel each other. For example, mutually attracting magnets can be arranged in mutually facing coupling regions of the carrier body and base component. Said magnets can be kept at a distance as small as possible, but preferably non-zero. In another embodiment, the normal force-generating magnets in the carrier body and base component can repel each other, with a corresponding mechanism ensuring that the repulsive force between the normal force-generating magnets holds the base component to the carrier body.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the normal force generating device can comprise a rigid element rigidly connected to a first of the normal force generating magnets and extending through a second of the normal force generating magnets, wherein the rigid element is attached to the base component and the second normal force generating magnet is attached to the carrier body. If the base component, together with the rigid element attached thereto, tends to lift off the carrier body, the first normal force generating magnet is carried along and thereby moved toward the second normal force generating magnet, which is fixedly attached to the carrier body. If the normal force generating magnets are repulsive, this tendency leads to a magnetic repulsive force that pulls the base component back toward the carrier body.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the normal force generating device can comprise a magnetic field shielding device, in particular formed by ferromagnetic end plates at least partially surrounding the normal force generating magnets, for shielding a magnetic field generated by the at least two normal force generating magnets. Thus, a measure can be taken to shield the magnetic field generated by the normal force generating magnets from magnetic field-critical components of the laboratory device, for example, electronics or parts or components used in connection with magnetic separation.

[0069] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the following figures. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device with a flat-bottom adapter according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows the laboratory device according to Figure 1 with a temperature control adapter mounted on it in the form of a thermally conductive frame with openings for holding laboratory vessels or a microscope slide. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the laboratory device according to Figure 2 . Figure 5 shows another exploded view of the laboratory device according to Figure 2 . Figure 6 shows a laboratory device without temperature control according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a laboratory device with positioning pins in all four corner areas according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 8shows a laboratory device with positioning pins in all four corner areas and with a flat bottom adapter according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 shows the laboratory device according to Figure 7 with a mounted on it, opposite Figure 8 alternative temperature control adapter. Figure 10 shows another three-dimensional view of the laboratory device according to Figure 7 . Figure 11 shows a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 shows a different representation of the laboratory equipment according to Figure 11 . Figure 13 shows a bottom view of a basic component of a laboratory device with positioning pins in two corner areas according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the basic component according to Figure 13 . Figure 15shows a bottom view of a basic component of a laboratory device with positioning pins in four corner areas according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the basic component according to Figure 15 . Figure 17 shows a bottom view of a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 18 shows a docking station for a laboratory device according to Figure 17 . Figure 19 shows a top view and Figure 20 shows a bottom view of a docking station according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 21 shows a base station designed here as a base plate for mounting several laboratory devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention using several docking stations according to Figure 19 which are inserted into the base plate. Figure 22Ashows a plan view of a guide disc of a fixing mechanism of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 22B shows a guide disc according to Figure 22A in an installation situation and in an operating state in which the guide disc has been rotated by actuating an actuating device. Figure 22C shows the guide disc in the installation situation according to Figure 22B and in another operating state in which no actuation of the actuating device and therefore no rotation of the guide disc has occurred. Figure 23 shows a three-dimensional view of the guide disc according to Figure 22A . Figure 24 shows a three-dimensional view of a positioning stop according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 25 shows another three-dimensional view of the positioning stop according to Figure 24 . Figure 26 shows a three-dimensional view of the positioning stop according to Figure 24 including guide disc according to Figure 23 . Figure 27 shows the arrangement according to Figure 26 in a housing of a basic component in sectional view. Figure 28 shows another view of the arrangement according to Figure 27 in sectional view. Figure 29 shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 30 shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 31 shows an internal structure of a carrier body of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 32 shows a plan view of the internal structure of the carrier body according to Figure 31 . Figure 33 shows an exposed interior of the carrier body according to Figure 31 and Figure 32 . Figure 34 shows a bottom view of the exposed interior of the carrier body according to Figure 33 . Figure 35shows a pendulum support of a laboratory device according to the invention. Figure 36 shows a tilted pendulum support between a support body and a base component of a laboratory device according to the invention in a sectional view. Figure 37 shows an actuator for the automated actuation of an actuating device of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 38 shows an internal structure of a carrier body of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 39 shows another representation of the arrangement according to Figure 38 . Figure 40 shows a plan view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with a specimen slide mounted thereon, which is engaged by positioning stops of the laboratory device. Figure 41 shows the arrangement according to Figure 40 , with the slide released from the positioning stops. Figure 42shows a plan view of a carrier body of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an actuator position with the specimen slide locked. Figure 43 shows the arrangement according to Figure 42 in an actuator position with the slide unlocked. Figure 44 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a cooling air flow is shown schematically. Figure 45 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a cooling air flow is schematically shown. Figure 46 shows a top view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 47 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device according to Figure 46 along a section line AA. Figure 48shows a top view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 49 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device according to Figure 48 along a section line BB. Figure 50 shows a three-dimensional view of a basic component of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 51 shows another three-dimensional view of the basic component according to Figure 50 . Figure 52 shows a three-dimensional view of a basic component of a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 53 shows a bottom view of the basic component according to Figure 52 . Figure 54 shows a top view of the basic component according to Figure 52 with positioning stops in a locking state. Figure 55 shows a top view of the basic component according to Figure 52 with positioning stops in an unlocked state. Figure 56shows a transparent top view of the basic component according to Figure 52 . Figure 57 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 58 shows a bottom view of a basic component of the laboratory device according to Figure 57 . Figure 59 shows a three-dimensional view of a basic component of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with positioning stops in all four corners. Figure 60 shows a top view of the basic component according to Figure 59 . Figure 61 shows a three-dimensional view of a bottom side of the basic component according to Figure 59 . Figure 62 shows a bottom view, ie a bottom side, of the basic component according to Figure 59 . Figure 63 shows a bottom view of the basic component according to Figure 59 and presents in Figure 62 hidden elements. Figure 64shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device with a specimen slide mounted thereon according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 65 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 66 shows a three-dimensional view of an exposed carrier body of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 67 shows an eccentric with balancing mass of a mixing drive mechanism of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 68 shows the laboratory device according to Figure 65 with a slide mounted on it. Figure 69 shows a bottom side of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 70 shows a bottom side of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 without bottom cover. Figure 71 shows a top view of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 72 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 73 shows different views of components of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 74 shows different views of components of the laboratory device according to Figure 65 . Figure 75 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device according to another embodiment of the invention with a frame-shaped balancing mass, wherein two representations of a double eccentric can also be seen. Figure 76 shows different views of components of the laboratory device according to Figure 75 . Figure 77 shows a three-dimensional top view of a base component with positioning stops and fixing mechanism of a laboratory device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 78 shows a three-dimensional view of the base component from below with positioning stops and fixing mechanism according to Figure 77 . Figure 79shows a three-dimensional bottom view of a functional assembly of the laboratory device according to Figure 77 and Figure 78 . Figure 80 shows a cross-sectional view of the functional assembly according to Figure 79 . Figure 81 shows a three-dimensional view of a one-piece basic component of the laboratory device according to Figure 77 to Figure 80 . Figure 82 shows a cross-sectional view of a positioning assembly with positioning stop of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 83 shows a three-dimensional underside view of a base component with positioning stops and fixing mechanism as well as a heat sink of a laboratory device with normal force generating device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 84 shows a three-dimensional top view of a support body of the laboratory device with normal force generating device according to Figure 83 . Figure 85shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and shows a coupling area between the base component according to Figure 83 and the carrier body according to Figure 84 . Figure 86 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 87 shows a three-dimensional view from below of a basic component with positioning stops and fixing mechanism as well as a cooling element of a laboratory device with normal force generating device for interaction with the carrier body according to Figure 86 . Figure 88 shows a three-dimensional view of a support body of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 89shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the carrier body according to Figure 88 can be implemented. Figure 90 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 91 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device according to Figure 90 . Figure 92 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 93 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 94 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device with a normal force generating device and a magnetic field shielding device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0070] The same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0071] Before exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures, some general aspects of embodiments of the invention will be explained: A disadvantage of conventional laboratory equipment is that a large part of the installation space in the center of an object storage device for receiving a specimen slide is occupied by drive and storage components and cannot be used to integrate other functions.

[0072] A mixing device in a laboratory device can traditionally be driven by an electromagnetic solenoid drive, for example. However, solenoid drives have the disadvantage that the amplitude of the mixing motion changes unintentionally (usually reduces) with the mixing frequency, since there is no positive guidance. Furthermore, undesirable resonance phenomena in the mixing motion of the shaking tray or sample carrier plate are often observed in such designs. Both of these factors prevent reproducible and identical mixing of samples in individual vessels, since a different movement or acceleration can occur depending on the geometric position.

[0073] The drives of conventional mixing devices for mixing sample carrier plates (especially microtiter plates) usually set the shaking tray in motion from the geometric center. This has the disadvantage that components for transmitting the mixing force must be installed centrally beneath the shaking tray, thus severely limiting the installation space there, for example, for integrating a heat sink or for measuring or otherwise manipulating the samples in the individual vessels from below.

[0074] In this case, additional design measures must also be taken to minimize unwanted twisting of the shaker tray during movement, which can influence the mixing motion (especially when used for parallel mixing of multiple samples in sample carrier plates). This can conventionally result in not all samples being moved or mixed under even approximately identical conditions, regardless of their position on the sample carrier plate.

[0075] The mounting of the shaker tray relative to the stationary frame of a laboratory device should essentially allow movement in a single plane (horizontal plane). When the shaker tray is mounted on balls or similar devices, a central eccentric drive typically poses the risk of unwanted rotation during the mixing motion, meaning that the amplitude (especially the orbital diameter) is not constant across the shaker tray and the slide. This leads to uneven mixing of the samples distributed across the slide.

[0076] Conventional mixing devices usually have interchangeable holders to accommodate different laboratory vessels. In addition, mixing devices with fixed positioning corners or spring-loaded mechanisms are known for holding sample carrier plates in automated liquid handling systems. However, these have the disadvantage that conventional grippers can only insert and remove the sample carrier plate when minimal force is required. Therefore, with such holders without automatic fixation, only low mixing frequencies can be achieved without the risk of the sample carrier plate becoming detached from the shaking tray of the mixing device.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a laboratory device is provided that has a mixing device or a mixing drive mechanism for objects or slides, in particular sample containers. Such an embodiment with a mixing drive mechanism enables the drive and mounting of a mixing device and can be used in particular for mixing medium in sample carrier plates (furthermore, in particular microtiter plates), but also in any other type of laboratory vessel.

[0078] Advantageously, a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can comprise a mixing drive mechanism with (preferably precisely) two eccentrics arranged at the edge, between which a central cavity can be left free for receiving an interaction device or the like. In this way, a base component of the laboratory device can perform a mixing movement in a horizontal plane relative to the support body by means of the eccentrics arranged in the support body and by means of a drive device recessed below the free central region in the support body. This allows medium in receptacles of a slide to be effectively mixed on the base component.

[0079] A laboratory device according to the described embodiment advantageously contributes to laboratory automation and also supports an increase in the number of samples to be processed in parallel in fully automated sample treatment systems while simultaneously reducing the sample volume. The reduction in sample volume and geometry is accompanied by an increase in the prevailing surface force, which impedes a mixing motion. In order to reliably overcome these forces and achieve thorough mixing, very high angular velocities, mixing frequencies, and / or rotational speeds can be achieved with the mixing drive mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0080] When processing sample carrier plates or other specimen slides, according to embodiments of the invention, all samples can be treated almost identically. An advantage in this context is the achievable precise execution of the orbital mixing movement without unwanted rotation around a central drive axis.

[0081] Using only one eccentric shaft for drive can result in such unwanted movements. Looking beyond the sample carrier plate, this can lead to uncontrolled movements and inconsistent sample handling with conventional laboratory equipment.

[0082] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, two coupled eccentric shafts or eccentrics are integrated into a support body of the laboratory device, which are driven to a synchronous movement by a common drive device, resulting in a precise mixing movement in the mounting plane of the specimen slide. By axially supporting the base component moved for mixing relative to the stationary support body on pendulum supports (preferably at least three, in particular four) and by axially displaceably supporting the eccentric shafts or eccentrics in ball bearings, axial loading of the radial bearings (i.e., ball bearings) can be reliably avoided according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0083] According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the pendulum supports can advantageously have spherical ends that rest on flat surfaces and can roll during operation. By using the pendulum supports, installation space can be saved while maintaining a consistently low load (Hertzian pressure with plane-to-sphere contact can be achieved), thus creating a particularly compact laboratory device.

[0084] Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous that the orbital mixing movement takes place almost exactly in a horizontal plane. Large vertical movements can lead to spillage of the contents of open vessels in conventional laboratory equipment, and unwanted wetting of the lids of closed vessels. Thus, there is a risk of cross-contamination between individual vessels, particularly when using open sample carrier plates.

[0085] Exemplary embodiments of the invention highly advantageously enable the creation of installation space in the middle of the mixing device or the mixing drive mechanism by displacing the eccentric shafts or eccentrics from the center of the carrier body. This enables the accommodation of an interaction device in a central region of the carrier body that is consequently left free by the mixing drive mechanism. For example, such an interaction device can be designed to control the temperature of a sample carrier plate or another specimen carrier, to carry out optical measurements on the specimen carrier or on the medium held therein and / or to carry out manipulation of the specimen carrier or the medium held therein from below. By using two eccentric shafts or eccentrics to provide mixing kinetic energy, very precise positioning of the specimen carrier orof containers on the slide. Such high positioning accuracy is advantageous, for example, for pipetting small vessels. In addition, by using two eccentric shafts or eccentrics, all samples on the sample carrier plate or slide can be exposed to the same conditions when the mixing movement is carried out. In contrast, when only one eccentric is used, unwanted rotations, torsional vibrations around the drive axis, or other artifacts can occur. With a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment, all samples can thus be subjected to identical movement or acceleration. Furthermore, a strict separation of axial and radial bearings according to exemplary embodiments of the invention increases service life and reliability.Regarding the strict separation of axial and radial bearings, it should be noted that the eccentric shafts in particular can be displaced in ball bearings or radial bearings, whereby all axial forces can be absorbed by the pendulum supports.

[0086] The use of pendulum supports with spherical ends (instead of solid spheres) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention advantageously achieves a smaller installation space with virtually the same load capacity. To minimize Hertzian pressure at the plane-sphere contact point, it is advantageous if the radii of the spherical surfaces at the opposite ends of the pendulum supports are as large as possible.

[0087] The mixing drive mechanism of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention serves in particular for mixing the contents of sample vessels and is provided with a drive device and a bearing. This allows a shaking tray of the base component to be moved along a defined path relative to a stationary frame in the form of the support body, preferably within a plane.

[0088] By combining a mixing device or a mixing drive mechanism with an automatic fixing device or with a fixing mechanism for the sample carrier plate and shaking tray, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it can be ensured that the samples can be processed safely even under high accelerations. According to one embodiment of the invention, the slide for mixing can be driven via an electric drive device and at least two eccentrics or eccentric shafts. The axial bearing can advantageously be realized via four pendulum supports with spherical ends, which can preferably be mounted on flat counter-running surfaces. According to alternative embodiments, bearing on balls or other rolling elements is possible.

[0089] To compensate for imbalances caused by the orbital mixing motion, one or more balancing masses can be provided according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Such balancing masses can be designed to rotate. Alternatively, a component (e.g., a frame-shaped component) can be used as the balancing mass, which can be moved orbitally in the same way as the shaking tray or the base component. Advantageously, such a balancing mass can be driven eccentrically in the opposite direction in order to fully or partially compensate for the imbalances.

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a temperature control device can advantageously be integrated into the laboratory device, in particular for controlling the temperature of sample containers of a slide. Thus, an exemplary embodiment provides a device for controlling the temperature of the slide, in particular of open and closed containers for receiving samples. According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such slides can be, for example, microtiter plates, tubes, vials, etc. By means of a temperature control device according to an exemplary embodiment, slides or the medium received therein can be selectively brought to temperatures above and / or below the ambient temperature.

[0091] A temperature control device of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can, for example, comprise a Peltier element and / or a resistance heating element. In one exemplary embodiment, the mixing device can comprise a heating device and also a cooling device (for example, a Peltier element that can be used to heat and cool the sample vessels or vessel contents). According to an exemplary embodiment, simultaneous mixing and temperature control is also possible.

[0092] A laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can, for example, be designed as a free-standing mixing and temperature control device, i.e., it can be used as a single, independent laboratory device in the laboratory. Another use of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is its use in an automated laboratory device that, for example, carries out various work steps from sample preparation and mixing to the final analysis. A further possible use is the use of a laboratory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an incubator in which samples (in particular living cells) can be exposed to a controlled atmosphere (for example with regard to temperature, humidity and / or ambient gas environment). The mixing device or the mixing drive mechanism can ensure uniform movement of a sample to be incubated.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, the shaking tray or the base component in the laboratory device can simultaneously form or contain the heat sink. This enables the advantage of a particularly high heat capacity while simultaneously reducing the moving mass, whereby high mixing speeds can be achieved with low load on the drive and bearings. Furthermore, it can be ensured that the Peltier element or another temperature control element is only subjected to forces from the mixing movement on the upper side. This can be achieved by mounting the Peltier element on the underside directly on the shaking tray or base component or on the heat sink, thus preventing it from being subjected to the forces of a separate heat sink.On the top side, however, a contact component can be attached in a recess so that it cannot move in the horizontal plane and thus hardly generates any forces on the temperature control element (especially the Peltier element).

[0094] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0095] The illustrated laboratory device 100 serves to releasably fix a slide 102 on its upper side. While the slide 102 is in Figure 1 not shown, shows Figure 44 for example, a slide 102 designed as a plastic microtiter plate.

[0096] The illustrated laboratory device 100 has a stationary support body 138 as the lower part and a base component 104 movably mounted thereon as the upper part, the latter functioning to detachably hold the specimen slide 102.

[0097] On an upper side of the base component 104, a first positioning stop 106 is provided, which can be moved linearly outwards or inwards, for abutting against a first edge region of the specimen slide 102. The first positioning stop 106 is arranged at a first corner 110 of the base component 104. Furthermore, on the upper side of the base component 104, a further second positioning stop 108 is provided, which can be moved linearly outwards or inwards, for abutting against a second edge region of the specimen slide 102. The second positioning stop 108 is arranged at a second corner 112 of the base component 104. Alternatively, the second positioning stop 108 can also be rigidly attached to the base component 104.Both the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108 each have two positioning pins 134, between which a respective corner region of a rectangular slide 102 can be engaged in order to clamp the slide 102 between the positioning stops 106, 108. For example, in . Figure 13 The fixing mechanism 114 shown in more detail inside the base component 104 serves to clamp the object carrier 102 between the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108. By means of a Figure 5 and in detail in Figure 13 The actuating device 116 shown can transfer the specimen slide 102 between an engaged or locked configuration and a configuration released for placing or removing the specimen slide 102.

[0098] Also in Figure 1A thermal coupling plate 166 is shown on an exposed upper side or mounting surface of the base component 104. The thermal coupling plate 166 can be made of a highly thermally conductive material (for example, a metal) in order to control the temperature of the specimen slide 102 and the liquid medium filled therein, in particular to heat and cool them. The thermal coupling plate 166 forms part of a support surface of the specimen slide 102. The thermal coupling plate 166 is surrounded by a thermally insulating frame 204 (for example, made of plastic). As shown in Figure 13As shown, the thermal coupling plate 166 can be thermally coupled on its underside to a heat sink 164, for example, to dissipate heat from the specimen carrier 102 and the fluid medium accommodated therein. For this purpose, ambient air can flow through a cooling opening 162 as an air inlet in a housing of the carrier body 138 into the interior of the laboratory device 101, can absorb heat emitted by the heat sink 164, and can then flow out of the laboratory device 100 again in a heated state. While the cooling opening 162 according to Figure 1 serves as an inlet for ambient air into the interior of the laboratory device 100, another cooling opening 162 serves as an outlet for air from the interior of the laboratory device 100 in Figure 5 shown. Air can also be sucked in optionally through the air inlet, for example by means of a fan 210 (see Figure 31 ). The air outlet serves as an exhaust air opening.

[0099] Figure 1shows the laboratory device 100 without an optionally attached temperature adapter, which is Figure 2 is shown with reference number 202.

[0100] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device 100 with a flat-bottom adapter as a temperature control adapter 202 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 The temperature control adapter 202 mounted on top of the laboratory device 100 serves to control the temperature of a flat-bottomed microtiter plate as a specimen slide 102 (not shown). The laboratory device 100 according to Figure 2 Thus, it has a thermally highly conductive temperature control adapter 202 made of a metallic material which can be attached to the base component 104, namely by means of a fastening screw 206, and which is used for the thermally conductive coupling of a Figure 2 not shown object carrier 102 can be thermally coupled to the base component 104. According to Figure 2The temperature control adapter 202, designed here as a plate, rests directly and essentially over its entire surface on the thermal coupling plate 166 and is positively inserted into the thermally insulating frame 204. The temperature control adapter 202 can then be releasably attached to the thermal coupling plate 166 of the base component 104 by screwing.

[0101] Figure 3 shows the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 1 with a mounted on it, opposite Figure 2 alternative temperature control adapter 202, which is designed here as a metal frame with a plurality of receiving openings 208 arranged in a matrix for the positive reception of laboratory vessels (not shown) or for the positive insertion of a specimen slide 102 with a base formed inversely to the receiving openings 208. Thus, according to Figure 3The temperature control adapter 202, designed as a metal frame, is placed on the thermal coupling plate 166 and fastened to the base component 104 by means of the fastening screw 206. In the temperature control adapter 202 according to Figure 3 the slide 102 can then be inserted.

[0102] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 2 and represents the assembly of the flat temperature control adapter 202 for the temperature control of a slide 102 designed as a flat-bottom microtiter plate. Figure 5 shows another exploded view of the same laboratory device 100. As shown, the temperature control adapter 202 can be screwed to the thermal coupling plate 166 using a fastening screw 206. The temperature control adapter 202, made of a highly thermally conductive material such as metal, can be used for temperature control of a microtiter plate with, for example, 96 wells.

[0103] In the respective laboratory device 100 according to Figure 1 to Figure 5 A mixing device can be implemented, which functions to mix laboratory vessel contents of the slide 102. Furthermore, an object storage device is provided in the form of the base component 104 for receiving the mixture, ie the slide 102. Inside the carrier body 138, for example, Figure 31A mixing drive mechanism 140 is implemented, shown in more detail, by means of which the base component 104, together with the specimen slide 102 received and fixed thereon, can be set into a mixing movement relative to the stationary frame in the form of the carrier body 138. The movement preferably takes place on a closed path, in particular as an orbital mixing movement. Illustratively, the movement of the base component 104, together with the specimen slide 102, can take place, for example, on a circular path in a horizontal plane. In the vertical direction, however, no or only very slight movements should occur, whereby spillage or overflow of the samples from open vessels of a specimen slide 102 (for example, a microtiter plate) or wetting of the lid of such vessels can be reliably avoided.

[0104] For example, the amplitude or orbital radius of a mixing movement generated by the mixing drive mechanism 140 can range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The mixing frequency can preferably be between 25 rpm and 5000 rpm, although other values ​​are also possible. The contents of laboratory vessels can be mixed using such a mixing device or such a mixing drive mechanism 140. To increase flexibility, holding devices for different types of laboratory vessels can be provided. For example, reaction vessels with a volume of 0.2 ml to 2.0 ml, cryogenic vessels, sample carrier plates (in particular microtiter plates) with, for example, 96, 384, or 1536 individual vessels, Falcon vessels (with a holding volume in a range of, for example, 1.5 ml to 50 ml), slides, glass vessels, beakers, etc. can be used.

[0105] Advantageously, the object storage device in the form of the base component 104 has a positioning and locking mechanism, which can be used as a fixing mechanism 114, for example in Figure 13 A fixing mechanism 114 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be operated automatically or manually. Manual operation by a user can, for example, be performed from outside the laboratory device 100 by actuating a sliding member 117 of the actuating device 116, which Figure 5 An associated actuating device 116 is shown in detail in Figure 13 It is also possible for a robot or the like to actuate the displacement member 117 from an outer region of the laboratory device 100. According to a further embodiment, an actuator 262 (see, for example, Figure 31) in an interior of the laboratory device 100, more precisely in an interior of the carrier body 138, act on the actuating device 116 in an interior of the laboratory device 100, more precisely in an interior of the base component 104.

[0106] With the fixing mechanism 114 and the actuating device 116, different laboratory vessels (but in particular a sample carrier plate) can be fixed, positioned and firmly connected to the base component 104 acting as a shaking tray as a specimen carrier 102.

[0107] Furthermore, a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can comprise a temperature control device for controlling the specimen slide 102 and / or the temperature control adapter 202, and thereby the laboratory vessel contents in contact therewith, to a defined temperature, which can, for example, be above or below the ambient temperature. For example, a temperature range supported by such a temperature control device can be from -20°C to 120°C.

[0108] The illustrated laboratory device 100 can be used particularly in laboratory automation systems. Control electronics including a microprocessor can be integrated into the laboratory device 100 for this purpose. Furthermore, the laboratory device 100 can be equipped with cables for external power supply and for communication with a higher-level system. Suitable communication interfaces are RS232, CAN, Bluetooth, WLAN, and USB, but others are also possible.

[0109] Laboratory devices 100 according to exemplary embodiments may comprise an exchangeable temperature control adapter 202 for thermally coupling laboratory vessels of a specimen slide 102 to the temperature control adapter 202. Such a temperature control adapter 202 may have a wide variety of shapes (see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 9 ). The temperature control adapter 202 can be connected to the contact surface of the temperature control device on an upper side of the base component 104 using a central fastening screw 206.

[0110] The base component 104 can also be referred to as an object storage device and also serves as a shaking tray. In particular, the base component 104 can accommodate all components necessary for securing a specimen slide 102 (in particular a sample support plate). Furthermore, the entire shaking tray or a part thereof can simultaneously be designed as a heat sink (which can be made of aluminum, for example), which can be contacted by an integrated Peltier element. The contact surface of the temperature control device in the form of the thermal coupling plate 166 can function to contact the replaceable temperature control adapter 202. This contact surface or the thermal coupling plate 166 can be selectively heated or cooled by a Peltier element integrated in the shaking tray or the base component 104 or another temperature control element.

[0111] The carrier body 138 is designed as a stationary frame, which has, for example, a control electronics, a drive device 150 and eccentrics 152, 154 of the mixing drive mechanism 140, at least one fan (for a compact design preferably a radial fan) for generating an air movement and cooling a heat sink 164 and thus the base component 104 or shaking tray (see for example Figure 31 ).

[0112] The embodiments according to Figure 1 to Figure 5 Implement linearly displaceable positioning stops 106, 108 with cylindrical positioning pins 134 at the bottom and conical positioning pins 134 at the top, which can alternatively have a different shape. The positioning pins 134 move away from the slide 102 for unlocking and toward the slide 102 for locking.

[0113] As in Figure 5As can be seen, the actuating device 116 is provided with a longitudinally displaceable lever for manual actuation of the positioning stops 106, 108 (for example, actuated for emergency release or for rapid loading or unloading by a user).

[0114] The laboratory device 100 may also include a light guide for optically indicating a status of the laboratory device 100, which may be illuminated by an internal LED. For example, a red light of an indicator 119 may indicate a defect, a green light may indicate a functional operating state, and a yellow light may indicate a loss of communication.

[0115] Figure 6 shows a laboratory device 100 without a temperature control device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The temperature control device 100 according to Figure 6The functions provided thus include a clamp fastening of a plate-shaped slide 102 and a mixing function.

[0116] Figure 7 shows a laboratory device 100 with positioning pins 134 in all four corner areas according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. While Figure 1 to Figure 6 Embodiments of a laboratory device 100 with two positioning stops 106, 108 are shown in the embodiments according to Figure 7 to Figure 10 four positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144 are provided, which can all be designed to be movable, for example. Thus, the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 7Additionally, a third positioning stop 142 with two positioning pins 134 for engaging a third edge region of a specimen slide 102 (not shown) and a fourth positioning stop 144 with two positioning pins 134 for engaging a fourth edge region of such a specimen slide 102. The third positioning stop 142 is arranged at a third corner 146 of the base component 104. The fourth positioning stop 144 is arranged at a fourth corner 148 of the base component 104.

[0117] Figure 8 shows a laboratory device 100 with positioning pins 134 in all four corner areas and with a temperature control adapter 202 designed as a flat-bottom adapter for temperature control of flat-bottom microtiter plates according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Apart from the additional positioning stops 142, 144, the embodiment according to Figure 8 according to that Figure 2 .

[0118] Figure 9 shows the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 7 with a mounted on it, opposite Figure 8 alternative temperature control adapter 202, which is designed here as a metal frame with a plurality of receiving openings 208 arranged in a matrix for receiving laboratory vessels or a specimen slide 102 (not shown). Apart from the additional positioning stops 142, 144 and the different configuration of the temperature control adapter 202, the embodiment according to Figure 9 according to that Figure 3 .

[0119] Figure 10 shows another three-dimensional view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 7 , in which the cooling opening 162 acting as an air outlet in the housing of the carrier body 138 can be seen.

[0120] Figure 11 shows a laboratory device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 shows another representation of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 11This embodiment shows an alternative design of air inlet and air outlet (which can also be exchanged, ie designed the other way around) in the form of cooling openings 162 in a housing of the carrier body 138. In the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The base area (and especially the length) is increased to reduce the overall height. Advantageously, the laboratory device 100 can be designed according to Figure 11 and Figure 12 This makes it suitable for systems with limited height. Alternatively, the width or other dimensions of the 100 laboratory device can be changed.

[0121] Figure 13 shows a bottom view of a base component 104 of a laboratory device 100 with positioning pins 134 in two corner areas according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 13 a bottom view of a shaking tray with two positioning stops 106, 108.

[0122] In particular, Figure 13a fixing mechanism 114 for fixing a specimen slide 102 on the base member 104 between the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108 by moving the two positioning stops 106, 108. In addition, Figure 13 Details of an actuating device 116 for actuating the fixing mechanism 114 for transferring the two positioning stops 106, 108 between an operating state that fixes the specimen slide 102 and an operating state that releases the specimen slide 102 can be seen.

[0123] Also referring to Figure 22A to Figure 28The fixing mechanism 114 has two guide bodies 120 in the form of guide pins, which can be guided in a respective guide recess 118 of a respective guide disc 122. The guide recess 118 is formed as a curved groove in the circular guide disc 122. The two guide discs 122 are rotatably mounted in opposite corners 110, 112 of the essentially rectangular base component 104, in which the positioning stops 106 and 108 are also arranged. The guide bodies 120 simultaneously form components of a Figure 24 and Figure 25 shown rigid component 212, which also has a pair of positioning pins 134 of an associated positioning stop 106, 108 as well as guide rails 214 for linearly guided movement of the component 212 along a linear guide 132. Clearly, a respective component 212 forms a respective positioning stop 106 or 108.

[0124] The configuration of the fixing mechanism 114 is according to Figure 13such that an actuating force for actuating the actuating device 116 to transfer the fixing mechanism 114 into the operating state releasing the specimen slide 102 is smaller than a release force to be exerted by the fixed specimen slide 102, which is subjected to, for example, a mixing movement, to release the fixed specimen slide 102. The release force can therefore be a force resulting from a mixing movement of the specimen slide 102 and is not intended to lead to the removal of the specimen slide 102 from the laboratory device 100. The described force transmission mechanism of the fixing device 114 combines low-force actuation of the actuating device 116 with strong self-locking against undesired shaking of a fixed specimen slide 102 during the mixing operation.Clearly, the actuating device 116 can be actuated with a moderate actuating force to move the positioning stops 106, 108, whereas shaking a specimen slide 102 clamped between the positioning stops 106, 108 free is only possible with extremely high forces due to the self-locking mechanism described. Now, referring to . Figure 22A to Figure 22C Actuation of the actuating device 116 leads to a displacement of the guide body 120 along the guide recess 118, which is possible with little force (see Figure 22B ). On the other hand, the action of a force from a clamped object carrier 102 subjected to a mixing movement results in a force from the guide body 120 in the guide recess 118, but without actuation of the actuating device 116, this does not lead to a rotation of the guide disc 122 and thus not to a movement of the positioning stops 106, 108 (see Figure 22C ). Force arrow 218 in Figure 22Cis then approximately transverse to the positioning recess 118. This asymmetrical force transmission logic leads to a convenient actuation of the actuating device 116 and simultaneously to the described self-locking or intrinsic protection of the laboratory device 100 against an undesired release of a specimen slide 102 from the positioning stops 106, 108.

[0125] Again referring to Figure 13 are the two according to Figure 22A formed guide discs 122 are arranged in the opposite first and second corners 110, 112 of the base component 104. Thus, each of the two guide recesses 118 is arranged in a respective guide disc 122, which guide discs 122 are arranged in the opposite first and second corners 110, 112 of the base component 104. A rotatably mounted deflection roller 124 is arranged in a third corner 146 and in a fourth corner 148 of the base component 104.

[0126] The fixing mechanism 114 advantageously comprises a ring-shaped closed force transmission mechanism 130, which is designed here as a ring-shaped closed toothed belt. Said toothed belt extends essentially rectangularly with rounded corners along the entire circumference of the base component 104 and runs continuously along an outer edge of the base component 104. In the assembled state, Figure 13 Teeth of the toothed belt into a respective gear 216 (which may also be referred to as a toothed belt pulley or synchronous belt pulley), which is rigidly connected to a respective guide pulley 122 (see Figure 23). In this way, an actuating force exerted on the actuating device 116 can be transmitted to said toothed belt by clamping the actuating device 116 to the toothed belt or by means of teeth (not shown) present on the actuating device 116. Due to its annular, closed shape, the toothed belt is thereby rotated slightly clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotation of the toothed belt acts on the gears 216 of the guide disks 122 as well as on gears (not shown) of the deflection rollers 124. Rotation of the gears 216 of the guide disks 122 exerts a force on the guide bodies 120, which are displaceable along the guide recesses 118. Due to the linear guide 132 or the guide rails 214 of the components 212, the components 212 are only permitted a straight-line movement radially outwards or radially inwards.Since the guide bodies 120 form part of the rigid components 212, actuation of the actuating device 116 results in a linear inward or outward movement of the components 212. Thus, actuation of the actuating device 116 results in a linear inward or outward movement of the positioning stops 106 and 108, respectively.

[0127] As in Figure 13 As can be clearly seen, the fixing mechanism 114 is arranged along an entire edge and circumference of the base component 104, leaving free a central region 126 of the base component 104 surrounded by the circumference. Furthermore, the annularly closed fixing mechanism 114 extending along the entire peripheral edge of the base component 104 is arranged along an underside of the base component 104 facing away from the object carrier 102.

[0128] With regard to the actuating device 116, it should also be noted that it is coupled to a preloading element 198 in the form of a pair of coil springs (or even just one coil spring), which is designed to preload the actuating device 116 according to an operating state of the fixing mechanism 114 that fixes the specimen slide 102. Alternatively, a torsion spring, a magnet, or another component that generates a correspondingly directed preload force can also be used for the preloading element 198. In other words, the actuating device 116, together with the preloading element 198, preloads a specimen slide 102 into a fixed state between the positioning stops 106, 108, so that releasing the specimen slide 102 from the laboratory device 100 requires an active application of force to the actuating device 116. This increases the operational reliability of the laboratory device 100 and prevents unwanted detachment of the slide 102.After placing a specimen slide 102 on the base component 104, it is sufficient for a user to release the previously actuated actuating device 116, causing the biasing element 198 to pull the linearly movable positioning stops 106, 108 inward. This, in turn, clamps the specimen slide 102.

[0129] Most advantageously, the fixing mechanism 114 extends exclusively along the outer periphery of the base component 104, leaving the central region 126 of the base component 104 free. In other words, neither the fixing mechanism 114 nor the actuating device 116 contains components outside the outer periphery of the base component 114 or those that extend into the central region 126 of the base component 104. Therefore, the central region 126 of the base component 104 can be freely used for other tasks or functional components.

[0130] Figure 13shows, by way of example, an interaction device 128 arranged in the exposed central region 126 of the base component 104. The interaction device 128 can thus extend operatively through the exposed central region 126 of the base component 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the interaction device 128 is a heat sink 164 for cooling a specimen slide 102 or a temperature control adapter 202, as described above. As shown, the heat sink 164 can have a solid plate section that is thermally coupled to the thermal coupling plate 166. Furthermore, the heat sink 164 can have a plurality of cooling fins that extend from the plate section and between which channels are formed for conducting an air flow or cooling gas.Of course, other interaction devices 128 are alternatively possible, for example an optical apparatus for optically interacting with a medium in the slide 102 or a magnetic mechanism for magnetically interacting with a medium in the slide 102 (not shown).

[0131] Figure 13 shows the base component 104 serving as an object storage device and shaking tray from below in an embodiment with two positioning stops 106, 108. The base component 104 accommodates the described components and can simultaneously contain a heat sink 164 for a temperature control device.

[0132] The guide discs 122 function as rotatably mounted cam discs for guiding or linearly moving the positioning stops 106, 108. Each of the guide discs 122 contains a track-shaped groove as a guide recess 118, into which a guide body 120 designed as a round guide pin engages. The latter is rigidly attached to the linearly mounted positioning stops 106, 108. The rotatably mounted deflection pulleys 124 enable a closed design of the synchronous belt as a power transmission mechanism 130. Said synchronous belt can be designed as a toothed belt and enables a synchronous movement of the positioning stops 106, 108 together.

[0133] Furthermore, the base component 104 contains on its underside (four in the illustrated embodiment) bearings 220 for pendulum supports 174 (see Figure 35 and Figure 36 ), which can be used advantageously for axial bearings in one plane.

[0134] In addition, Figure 13two ball bearings 222, into which a first eccentric 152 (or a first eccentric shaft) and a second eccentric 154 (or a second eccentric shaft) engage in the assembled state of the laboratory device 100 (see Figure 31 ). Illustratively, the ball bearings 222 can serve to deflect the base component 104 or the shaking tray relative to the stationary frame in the form of the support body 138 on a circular path in a plane.

[0135] According to Figure 13The actuating device 116 is designed as a linearly mounted slider for manually or automatically actuating the release of the sample carrier plate or another specimen carrier 102. If no force (manually or by an actuator) acts on this slider, it is moved back to its initial position by the preloading element 198 designed as a spring. The actuating device 116 is connected to the force transmission mechanism 130 designed as a synchronous belt, which generates a rotary movement of the guide discs 122, which in turn linearly displaces the positioning stops 106, 108. More precisely, the preloading element 198 is according to Figure 13 designed as a tension spring for moving the linearly mounted slider and thus the positioning stops 106, 108 in the direction of the object carrier 102 (ie for pre-tensioning into a locking state).

[0136] In addition, cables (particularly ribbon cables, see reference numeral 121) can be implemented for the electrical connection of base component 104 and carrier body 138. This allows, in particular, Peltier elements (or another heating element) to be supplied with power and optional sensors (particularly temperature sensors) to be connected.

[0137] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 13 . More precisely, Figure 14 a sectional view through the heat sink 164 or the cooling fins (center).

[0138] Reference numeral 224 indicates a temperature control element, embodied here as a Peltier element, for controlling the temperature (in particular, heating or cooling) of the thermal coupling plate 166 (which can also be referred to as a thermal contact component). An interchangeable temperature control adapter 202, which in turn can control the temperature of laboratory vessels, can be thermally connected to the temperature control element 224.

[0139] Furthermore, a temperature sensor 226 can be integrated into the thermal coupling plate 166, also referred to as a contact component. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor 226 can be provided in the interchangeable temperature control adapter 202 and / or in the sample vessels or samples to be handled. Furthermore, a temperature sensor 226 can be provided in the heat sink 164 or in the shaking tray, which is advantageous for efficient control.

[0140] Reference numeral 228 denotes a thermal insulation between the thermal coupling plate 166 and the heat sink 164.

[0141] The thermally insulating frame 204 serves to thermally insulate the thermal coupling plate 166 and the heat sink 164. In addition, the thermally insulating frame 204 can absorb lateral forces in order to reduce the transmission of vibrations in a horizontal plane to the temperature control element 224, which is designed here as a Peltier element.

[0142] Figure 15 shows a bottom view of a base component 104 of a laboratory device 100 with positioning pins 134 in four corner areas according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Thus, the embodiment according to Figure 15 from that according to Figure 13 in particular in that instead of the deflection rollers 124 at two corners 146, 148 of the base component 104 according to Figure 15 a movable positioning stop 106, 108, 142, 144 is arranged in each corner 110, 112, 146, 148. The force transmission mechanism 130, designed as a toothed belt, is also according to Figure 15 arranged along an outer circumference of the base component 104 and is deflected by 90° at each of the four corners 110, 112, 146, 148 of the base component 104 by a respective gear 216 of a respective guide disk 122.

[0143] Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 15 . The sectional view according to Figure 16 corresponds to that according to Figure 14 with the difference that according to Figure 16 a positioning stop 106, 108, 142, 144 is arranged at all four corners 110, 112, 146, 148.

[0144] Figure 17shows a bottom view of a laboratory device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a bottom connection plate 230 of the support body 138 is equipped with an electrical connector 232. The connector 232 has pogo pins, i.e., spring-loaded electrical contacts. By means of the connector 232, the laboratory device 100 can be supplied with power and coupled for communication (for example, according to RS232, USB, or another communication interface).

[0145] Figure 18 shows a docking station 234 for the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 17 The docking station 234 has an electrical interface 236 that can be coupled to the connector 232 on the underside of the laboratory device 100. Furthermore, the docking station 234 is provided with cables 238. The Figure 18The assembly shown can, for example, be integrated into a higher-level system, allowing laboratory equipment 100 to be replaced quickly and without cabling. This offers the advantage of rapid replacement in the event of a fault or during maintenance, without causing equipment failure.

[0146] Figure 19 shows a top view and Figure 20 shows a bottom view of a docking station 234 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. As can be seen from Figure 20 As can be seen, the electrical interface 236 on top of the docking station 234 may be electrically coupled through a plate to one or more electronic components 240 that may be mounted on an interior of the docking station 234.

[0147] Figure 21shows a base plate 242 for mounting several laboratory devices 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated example, fifteen mounting bases in the form of docking stations 234 according to Figure 19 and Figure 20 which are equipped with electrical interfaces 236 for forming a plug-in connection with connectors 232 of a respective laboratory device 100. The laboratory devices 100 with their connectors 232 (preferably equipped with pogo pins) and a respective corresponding connector in the form of an electrical interface 236 on the base plate 242 thus form a higher-level device for power supply and communication. This enables a quick replacement of the laboratory devices 100 (for example, in the event of a defect or maintenance).

[0148] As shown by Figure 17 to Figure 21As can be seen, a laboratory device 100 according to one embodiment can be realized without external cables, but instead can have a connector 232 for connection to a power supply and a communication device. Such a connector 232 can, for example, be integrated into a base plate 242 (see Figure 21 ) of a higher-level system, in particular by plugging it onto it. For example, such a connector 232 can be provided with pogo pin contacts.

[0149] In another embodiment of the laboratory device 100, it is equipped with cables for power supply and communication.

[0150] Figure 22A shows a top view of a guide disc 122 of a fixing mechanism 114 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 23 shows a three-dimensional view of the guide disc 122 according to Figure 22A .

[0151] In addition, Figure 22B a guide disc 122 according to Figure 22A in an installation situation and in an operating state in which the guide disc 122 is or has been rotated about a pivot point 215 by actuating an actuating device 116 (see rotation arrow 213). Figure 22C shows the guide disc 122 in the installation situation according to Figure 22B , but in a different operating state in which no actuation of the actuating device 116 and therefore no rotation of the guide disc 122 takes place or has taken place.

[0152] When a force is applied to the guide carriage (in particular generated by a specimen carrier 102 mounted on the base component 104 during mixing operation), a radially outwardly directed force can also be generated (see reference numeral 218 in Figure 22C). However, without actuation of the actuating device 116, there is no rotation of the guide disc 122, so that despite the force according to force arrow 218, no movement of the guide body 120 results, since the force acts on the guide body 120, which is designed, for example, as a pin, in the direction of the pivot point 215 in the center of the guide disc 122 and thus transversely or almost perpendicularly to the guide recess 118. Thus, according to Figure 22B an actuation of the actuating device 116 and thereby a rotation of the guide disc 122, which easily and with little force causes a displacement of the guide body 120 in the guide recess 118. In contrast, according to Figure 22CA force on the guide body 120 alone does not cause any rotation of the guide disc 122 and therefore no outward movement of the positioning stop 106. The force acts on the guide body 120 almost perpendicular to the guide recess 118. For this reason, this force on the guide body 120 does not cause any rotation of the guide disc 122. An extremely slight rotation of the guide disc 122 can at most generate a very slight displacement of the system according to reference numerals 120, 106, 108. In this way, a low-force actuation of the actuating device 116 according to Figure 22B with a high degree of self-locking without such actuation (see Figure 22C ) can be combined.

[0153] Again referring to Figure 22A Such a guide disc 122, which can be designed as a cam disc with a guide groove, can be inserted, for example, into the Figure 13 The basic component 104 shown must be installed. Figure 22Ashows a view of an assembly with such a guide disc 122 with rotatable bearing from above. Figure 22A It can be seen that a guide body 120, which is designed as a guide pin, can be moved in a curved, track-shaped guide recess 118. The guide recess 118 is formed as a groove in a main surface of the guide disc 122. In the installed state, the guide disc 122 is rotatably mounted on the base component 104. The Figure 13 illustrated fixing mechanism 114, from which the component according to Figure 22A forms a part, is preferably designed such that when a vibrating release force is exerted by a clamped object carrier 102 during a mixing operation, a displacement force acts on the guide body 120 transversely to the guide recess 118 (see reference numeral 218 in Figure 22C). Furthermore, the fixing mechanism 114 is designed such that when the actuating device 116 is actuated to transfer the fixing mechanism 114 between the operating state releasing the specimen slide 102 and the operating state engaging the specimen slide 102, a displacement force acts on the guide body 120 along the guide recess 118 (cf. Figure 22B ).

[0154] Figure 22A This represents the guide recess 118, designed as a guide groove, of the guide disc 123, which is designed as a cam disc and is rotatably mounted relative to the object storage device or the shaking tray of the base component 104. The guide body 120, designed as a guide pin, projects into the guide recess 118 and forms a rigid part of a respective positioning stop 106 or 108. The guide body 120 and / or the guide disc 122 can be round or disc-shaped, but can also have any other shape. Figure 23shows the guide disc 122 designed as a cam disc with a rigidly attached gear 216. The guide disc 122 can be rotatably mounted together with the gear 216 on a plate-shaped base body 250. The base body 250 can be provided with one or more through holes 252 for screwing the Figure 23 shown assembly on a housing of the basic component 104.

[0155] Figure 24 shows a three-dimensional view of a positioning stop 106 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 25 shows another three-dimensional view of the positioning stop 106 according to Figure 24 .

[0156] The Figure 24 and Figure 25The rigid assembly of the positioning stop 106 with linear sliding bearing or linear guide 132 shown also includes the guide body 120, designed here as a pin, which, during operation of a laboratory device 100, is inserted into the guide recess 118 of the guide disc 122 according to Figure 22A intervenes.

[0157] The illustrated first positioning stop 106 is displaceable along the linear guide 132 when transferring the laboratory device 100 between an operating state that fixes a specimen slide 102 and an operating state that releases the specimen slide 102, which can be accommodated in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a corresponding guide receptacle of a housing of the base component 104 (compare for example Figure 56 ). The guide body 120 thus forms a positioning pin which, for example, can be screwed to the assembly corresponding to the linearly displaceable positioning stop 106 according to Figure 25 and Figure 26Alternatively, such a connection can also be designed differently. Illustratively, the guide body 120 serves as a guide pin, which engages in the groove-like guide recess 118 of the guide disk 122 and enables a linear displacement (due to the forced guidance of the component according to Figure 24 and Figure 25 in a correspondingly shaped recess in the housing of the base component 104) of the positioning stop 106.

[0158] Figure 26 shows a three-dimensional view of the positioning stop 106 according to Figure 24 including guide disc 122 according to Figure 23 . Illustrates Figure 26 i.e. a view of the interconnected assembly positioning stop 106 according to Figure 24 and Figure 25 and the cam disc assembly according to Figure 22A and Figure 23 without object storage device or shaking tray. Figure 26shows the interaction of guide disc 122 and positioning stop 106, which is achieved by the guide body 120 of positioning stop 106 engaging the guide recess 118 in guide disc 122. During operation, guide disc 122 is rotatably mounted. For this purpose, base body 250, acting as a bearing block for guide disc 122, is screwed or otherwise connected to a housing of base component 104. It is also possible to rotatably mount guide disc 122 directly in base component 104 of the object storage device or the shaking tray.

[0159] Figure 27 shows the arrangement according to Figure 26 in a housing 254 of a base component 104. Figure 28 shows another view of the arrangement according to Figure 27 .

[0160] The housing 254 of the basic component 104 (also called shaking tray) accommodates all components according to Figure 22A to Figure 26and can simultaneously serve as a heat sink for a temperature control device. The guide disc 122, with a guide recess 118 designed as a guide groove, is mounted rotatably relative to the base component 104. The positioning stop 106 is mounted for linear displacement in the housing 254 of the base component 104.

[0161] Figure 29 shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. More specifically, Figure 29 an alternative embodiment of the positioning pins 134. According Figure 29 The positioning pins 134 have a laterally extended head with a pronounced profile on the underside of the head. This advantageously prevents a movement of a specimen slide 102 fixed by means of the positioning pins 134 in the vertical direction against corresponding forces. Thus, the Figure 29The alternative design of the positioning pins 134 of the respective positioning stop 106, 108, etc. shown provides increased safety in the vertical direction.

[0162] Figure 30 shows a three-dimensional view of a portion of a laboratory device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In Figure 30 Another embodiment of the positioning pins 134 is shown, with which an effective prevention of movement in the vertical direction against corresponding forces can be achieved. As also according to Figure 29 have the positioning pins 134 according to Figure 30a respective retaining profile 136, which is designed to prevent the specimen slide 102 from detaching from the base component 104 in the vertical direction. These positioning pins 134 not only clamp the specimen slide 102 laterally, but also limit its movement in the vertical direction by providing a vertical stop for the upper side of a specimen slide 102 with the retaining profile 136.

[0163] A specialist will use Figure 29 and Figure 30 It can be seen that further alternative designs and shapes of the positioning pins 134 are possible to increase safety in the vertical direction. In particular, the positioning pins 134 can also be non-cylindrical and / or non-rotationally symmetrical in order to adapt the laboratory device 100 to alternative requirements, specimen slides 102, and sample vessels.

[0164] Figure 31shows an internal structure of a carrier body 138 or frame of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention from above. Figure 32 shows a plan view of the internal structure of the carrier body 138 according to Figure 31 . Figure 33 shows an exposed interior of the carrier body 138 according to Figure 31 and Figure 32 from underneath. Figure 33 shows the support body 138 as a stationary frame assembly from below after removal of a cover plate or connecting plate 230. Figure 34 shows a plan view of the exposed interior of the carrier body 138 according to Figure 33 from underneath.

[0165] The carrier body 138 according to Figure 31 to Figure 34 forms a lower part of a laboratory device 100 for mixing a medium in a slide 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Not shown in Figure 31 to Figure 34is the base component 104 to be arranged on the carrier body 138 and movable relative to the carrier body 138 for mixing, for receiving the object carrier 102 (see for example Figure 13 ). Again referring to Figure 31 to Figure 34 A mixing drive mechanism 140 is provided on the carrier body 138 for providing a driving force for mixing medium in the slide 102 on the base member 104.

[0166] The mixing drive mechanism 140 comprises a drive device 150, which is embodied here as an electric motor. A drive motor, for example, a brushless DC motor, can be used as the drive device 150. The mixing drive mechanism 140 further includes a first eccentric 152 (also referred to as the first eccentric shaft) and a second eccentric 154 (also referred to as the second eccentric shaft), both of which can be driven by the drive device 150. The eccentrics 152, 154 serve to transmit a drive force (more precisely, a drive torque) generated by the drive device 150 to the base component 104 in order to excite the base component 104, together with a specimen slide 102 mounted and fixed thereon, to an orbital mixing movement, thereby mixing the medium in the specimen slide 102.

[0167] Advantageously, both the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154 are arranged on a peripheral edge 156 of the carrier body 138 and thus outside a central region 158 of the carrier body 138. As a result, a cavity is formed in the central region 158, which is delimited on the underside by the drive device 150 and laterally by the eccentrics 152, 154 and by a housing 256 of the carrier body 138. This cavity is available for accommodating an interaction device (compare reference numeral 128 and the above description, for example Figure 13 ) is available. In particular, this cavity allows, if at the same time a central area 126 left free by a fixing mechanism 114 is created in the base component 104 (see for example Figure 13), a free through-connection through an upper region of the carrier body 138 and through the base component 104 to a specimen slide 102 mounted on the base component 104. Such a through-connection can be used, for example, for an optical sensor or an optical excitation device in order to optically influence medium in the specimen slide 102 from the laboratory device 100.

[0168] In the Figure 31 to Figure 34 In the embodiment shown, the carrier body 138 leaving the cavity free is designed to allow a cooling fluid (in particular ambient air) to flow from an exterior of the laboratory device 100 through the cavity (see Figure 44 and Figure 45 ). As best in Figure 31As can be seen, the housing 256 of the carrier body 138 is provided on opposite sides with a cooling opening 162 through which the cooling fluid (in particular ambient air) flows from outside the laboratory device 100 through the cavity and out of the laboratory device 100 again. This creates effective air cooling. Furthermore, a heat sink 164 mounted on an underside of the base component 104 can be accommodated in the cavity in the central region 158. The ambient air sucked into the carrier body 138 by a fan 210 can flow between the cooling fins of the heat sink 164 and absorb heat from the heat sink 164 before the heated ambient air leaves the laboratory device 100 again. The air flow generated by the two fans 210 thus leaves the laboratory device 100 through an air outlet after having passed the heat sink 164 or the base component 104 and having absorbed the corresponding heat.

[0169] Best in Figure 31 It can be seen that a balancing mass 172 is attached to a shaft of the drive device 150 for at least partially compensating for an imbalance generated by the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154. As shown, this balancing mass 172 is attached to the drive device 150 asymmetrically with respect to a direction of rotation of this shaft and moves with the drive device 150. Clearly, during operation of the laboratory device 100, the balancing mass 172 is aligned opposite to the two eccentrics 152, 154. For example, if both eccentrics 152, 154 are aligned completely to the left, then the balancing mass 172 is aligned completely to the right.

[0170] The laboratory device 100 advantageously has four pendulum supports 174, which are mounted in pairs on opposite sides of the support body 138 and the base component 104. The structure and mode of operation of these pendulum supports 174 are described below with reference to Figure 35 and Figure 36 described in more detail.

[0171] Figure 31 and Figure 32show that the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154 are arranged on opposite side edges of the carrier body 138 and laterally offset from one another. The drive device 150 is arranged between the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154. Furthermore, the drive device 150 is coupled to the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154 for synchronously moving the first eccentric 152 and the second eccentric 154. The mixing drive mechanism 140 is designed to generate an orbital mixing movement when the eccentrics 152, 154 transmit their eccentric drive movement to the base component 104. The base component 104 is thus capable of mixing a medium contained in the object carrier 102 by means of the mixing drive mechanism 140 when moved along an orbital path on the carrier body 138.

[0172] Advantageously, the mixing drive mechanism 140 and the fixing mechanism 114 are functionally and spatially decoupled from each other, i.e., they can be operated independently of each other. While the mixing drive mechanism 140 forms part of the carrier body 138, the fixing mechanism 114 is part of the base component 104.

[0173] Figure 31 to Figure 34 show the carrier body 138 as an assembly with a stationary frame. In Figure 31 to Figure 34 the components relevant for the mixing device are shown without the base component 104 or shaking tray attached.

[0174] The two eccentrics 152, 154 each form an eccentric shaft for deflecting the base component 104, generating an orbital mixing movement in a horizontal plane. Advantageously, two eccentrics 152, 154 are implemented, arranged opposite one another. Both eccentrics 152, 154 are driven synchronously by the drive device 150. The balancing mass 172, which in the illustrated embodiment is attached to a shaft of the drive device 150, is rotatably mounted in the housing 256 of the carrier body 138 for imbalance compensation. During mixing operation, the balancing mass 172 is driven by the drive device 150 synchronously with the eccentric shafts or eccentrics 152, 154. In addition, the balancing mass 172 contains a notch 270 into which a plunger 268 of a lifting magnet 266 engages in order to specify a defined zero position in the horizontal plane.This is advantageous so that even small vessels of a slide 102, which are attached to the base component 104, can be safely processed by a pipetting device or another handling unit.

[0175] Figure 31 and Figure 32 further show a linearly displaceable slide 258, which a linearly displaceable slide 260 of the actuating device 116 (compare Figure 13 ) and thus opens the fixing mechanism 114 or the locking device and thereby unlocks a specimen slide 102.

[0176] Furthermore, an electromechanical actuator 262 is provided, which pivots a lever by means of a rotary movement and generates a displacement of the slider 258 via a connecting rod 264. The connecting rod 264 thus couples the pivoting movement of the lever of the actuator 262 with the linearly movable slider 258. As shown, the actuator 262 is arranged on the carrier body 138. The actuator 262 serves for the automated electromechanical control of the actuating device 116 arranged on the base component 104, which, in accordance with this control, selectively actuates the fixing mechanism 114 to engage or release the specimen slide 102.

[0177] Now referring to Figure 32A bistable solenoid 266 is implemented in the carrier body 138, which can lock the balancing mass 172. For this purpose, a plunger 268 on the solenoid 266 can be locked in a notch 270 of the balancing mass 172. The rear side of the plunger 268 can protrude into a light barrier 272 when unlocked. The light barrier 272 monitors the plunger 268 of the solenoid 266.

[0178] Advantageously, the balancing mass 172 and the two eccentrics 152, 154 move synchronously during mixed operation of the laboratory device 100. The eccentrics 152, 154 or eccentric shafts deflect the base component 104, which functions as a shaking tray, during mixed operation. The eccentrics 152, 154 both move synchronously with the balancing mass 172, as they are driven by the drive device 150 via synchronous belts or toothed belts 168, 170. A first toothed belt 168 ensures a torque coupling between a shaft of the drive device 150 and a shaft of the first eccentric 152. A second toothed belt 170 ensures a torque coupling between the shaft of the drive device 150 and a shaft of the second eccentric 154. This is Figure 33 and Figure 34 shown.

[0179] The balancing mass 172 serves to compensate for imbalances caused by moving masses and is designed with a notch 270 for locking by the lifting magnet 266, whereby a zero position of the shaking tray can be defined.

[0180] According to Figure 33 The drive device 150 is fixedly connected to the balancing mass 172 or drives it directly. The two eccentric shafts are moved synchronously and in the same position via the two synchronous belts or toothed belts 168, 170 and synchronous gears on the eccentrics 152, 154. The two synchronous belts or toothed belts 168, 170 serve to connect the drive device 150 including the balancing mass 172 and the two eccentrics 152, 154. The aforementioned synchronous gears (e.g., gears) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the eccentrics 152, 154 or eccentric shafts, which in turn deflect the base component 104.

[0181] Two fans 210 can be designed, for example, as radial fans to generate convective heat transfer along a heat sink 164 or the base component 104. Only one fan or at least three fans can be provided. The fan(s) can also be designed in a manner other than radial fans.

[0182] In Figure 33 and Figure 34 The illustrated electronic boards 274 can be implemented in the housing 256 of the support body 138. Such an electronic board 274 can be equipped with a microprocessor for independently controlling all functions of the laboratory device 100. For example, only commands are sent and responses are received. The entire control and regulation of the laboratory device 100 can be realized by this internal electronics.

[0183] As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the drive and bearings of the mixing device can also be used completely without a temperature control device (with components such as temperature control element 224 and integrated heat sink 164). This allows for an even simpler design of the laboratory device 100.

[0184] Figure 35 shows in isolation a pendulum support 174 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 36 shows a tilted pendulum support 174 between a support body 138 and a base component 104 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In other words, Figure 36 the pendulum support 174 in a state installed in the laboratory device 100.

[0185] The illustrated pendulum support 174 can be movably mounted between the support body 138 and the base component 104. More specifically, the pendulum support 174 can be mounted on the underside in a first recess 176 in the support body 138 and on the top side in a second recess 178 in the base component 104. A first counter-rotating plate 180 on the support body 138 can be brought into contact with a bottom surface of the pendulum support 174. Furthermore, a second counter-rotating plate 182 can be arranged on the base component 104 in contact with a top surface of the pendulum support 174. The pendulum support 174 and the counter-rotating plates 180, 182 are configured to perform an interaction that is essentially purely rolling friction and preferably essentially free of sliding friction. The pendulum support 174 has a laterally extended head section 184 and a laterally extended base section 186.A pin portion 188 is arranged between the head portion 184 and the base portion 186. An outer surface of the head portion 184 can be configured as a first spherical surface 190. Similarly, an outer surface of the base portion 186 can be configured as a second spherical surface 192. Advantageously, both a first radius R1 of the first spherical surface 190 and a second radius R2 of the second spherical surface 192 can be greater than an axial length L of the pendulum support 174.

[0186] Advantageously, the two counter-rotating plates 182, 184 can be made of ceramic. The pendulum support 174 can be made of plastic. This material combination has proven to be particularly favorable tribologically and results in low-wear and quiet operation. The plastic reduces noise and, due to its greater deformability compared to rigid materials, also reduces stress due to favorable Hertzian pressure on the ball-to-plane contacts.

[0187] Figure 35 and Figure 36 thus show a pendulum support 174 with spherical ends. The illustrated pendulum support 174 is made of plastic, whereas the counter-running plates 182, 184 with flat counter-running surfaces at the top and bottom are preferably made of ceramic. The plastic pendulum support 174 is inserted into the cylindrical recesses 176, 178 of the support body 138 and the base component 104, respectively.

[0188] The larger the respective sphere diameter 2xR1 or 2xR2, the lower the load or pressure. A further advantage of the pendulum support 174 compared to a sphere with the same radius as the ends of the pendulum support 174 is the significantly smaller radial expansion of the pendulum support 174. This saves installation space and promotes a compact configuration of the laboratory device 100.

[0189] As in Figure 31 and Figure 32 As shown, four pendulum supports 174 with spherical ends can preferably be used for axially supporting the base component 104 relative to the support body 138. However, a different number of pendulum supports 174 is also possible, for example, three or at least five. The pendulum supports 174 are inserted into the recesses 176, 178 and are thus guided laterally. The ceramic counter-rotating plates 180, 182 and the plastic pendulum supports 174 advantageously minimize noise during mixed operation of the laboratory device 100.

[0190] Figure 37shows an actuator 262 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a disassembled state. The functionality of the actuator 262 was described above with reference to Figure 31 and Figure 32 described.

[0191] Figure 38 shows an interior of a carrier body 138 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The actuator 262 is Figure 38 shown in its locked position. The actuator 262 serves to operate the slide 258.

[0192] Figure 39 shows another representation of the arrangement according to Figure 38 The actuator 262 is in Figure 39 shown in its unlocked position. In this position, the object carrier 102, for example a sample carrier plate, can be freely removed from the laboratory device 100. The actuator 262 shown serves to actuate the slide 258, which therefore moves according to Figure 39is located in a different position than in accordance with Figure 38 . The slider 258 serves as a coupling element and, during operation, presses against an opening lever or slider 260 of the base component 104, moves the slider 260 linearly and thus actuates the power transmission mechanism 130, which may be designed as a synchronous belt mechanism (see Figure 13 ). Alternatively to the embodiment of Figure 38 and Figure 39 For example, a rotary or purely linear actuator or actuator 262 can also be used. According to Figure 38 and Figure 39 The slider 258 acts as a linearly movable carriage.

[0193] Figure 40shows a top view of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with a specimen slide 102 mounted thereon, which is engaged by positioning pins 134 of the laboratory device 100. In the view shown, the specimen slide 102, designed here as a sample support plate, is locked and shown from above.

[0194] The actuator or actuators 262 opens and the biasing element 198, designed as spring(s), closes the mechanism.

[0195] Figure 41 shows the arrangement according to Figure 40 , whereby the slide 102 is now released from the positioning pins 134. The view according to Figure 41 shows the specimen slide 102 designed as a sample carrier plate in an unlocked state from above.

[0196] Figure 42shows a top view of a carrier body 138 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an actuator position with the object carrier 102 locked. Figure 43 shows the arrangement according to Figure 42 in an actuator position with the slide 102 unlocked.

[0197] Figure 44 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, depicting a cooling air flow 276. Ambient air can be drawn in, for example, by fan 210 and flows through cooling openings 162 in a side wall of the support body 138 into the interior of the laboratory device 100. Inside the laboratory device 100, the air flow 276 absorbs heat, for example, on the underside of a heat sink 164, and then flows out of the laboratory device 100 in a heated form through another cooling opening 162 arranged further up in an opposite side wall of the laboratory device 100. Figure 44 visualizes the air flow between inlet and outlet.

[0198] Figure 45 shows a cross-sectional view, more precisely a longitudinal section, of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The air flow 276 inside the laboratory device 100 is in Figure 45 This air flow serves to cool the base component 104, which also serves as a heat sink or may have a heat sink 164 (particularly with cooling fins).

[0199] Figure 46 shows a plan view of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and shows a section line AA. Figure 47 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 46along the section line AA and thus along the two eccentric shafts or eccentrics 152, 154. Due to their positioning in the edge region, central space is advantageously kept free for a heat sink 164. Alternatively, the free central region 126 / 158 can be used as an optical channel to a specimen slide 102 fixed on the base component 104 (in particular to a sample support plate present on the specimen storage device or the shaking tray). This can be used, for example, for optical sensing or for the optical excitation of medium in the specimen slide 102.

[0200] In particular, Figure 47 Wave springs 278 on the eccentrics 152, 154 to generate a force on the axial bearing by means of the pendulum supports 174. This can clearly prevent the single-value bearing from lifting off.

[0201] In addition, a compensating element 280, for example an O-ring or O-ring or other device, can be attached to a respective eccentric 152, 154 to compensate for angular errors. This is advantageous in order to ensure that the axial bearing of the base component 104 always rests on the pendulum supports 174, despite angular errors of the eccentric 152, 154. Although the Figure 35 and Figure 36 described pendulum supports 174 are particularly advantageous, these can also be replaced by balls.

[0202] Preferably, the shaft diameter can be smaller, particularly preferably significantly smaller, than the ball bearing diameter. This guarantees only linear contact between the O-ring and the inner ring of the bearing. This ensures that only linear contact exists between the compensating element 280, which may be designed as an O-ring, for example, and an inner ring of the bearing.

[0203] Figure 48shows a plan view of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and shows a section line B- B. Figure 49 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 48 along the section line BB to show the pendulum support bearing.

[0204] Each of the illustrated plastic pendulum supports 174 has a spherical shape on its top and bottom. Ideally, the radius R1 or R2 is chosen to be as large as possible. By deforming the plastic and by using a sufficiently large radius R1 or R2, the Hertzian pressure between the plane and the sphere, and thus the load, can be kept low. This increases the service life of the pendulum supports 174 and the counter-rotating plates 180, 182, which are preferably made of ceramic. The movement of the pendulum supports 174 on the counter-rotating plates 180, 182 is advantageously achieved by rolling friction. A surface as hard as possible for the counter-rotating plates 180, 182 has proven advantageous.

[0205] Figure 50 shows a three-dimensional view of a basic component 104 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 51shows another three-dimensional view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 50 The illustrated base component 104 is equipped with a movable positioning stop 106 and additional stationary positioning stops 108, 142, 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the stationary positioning stops 108, 142, 144 are formed by fixed stop pieces or fixed stop bars.

[0206] Figure 52 shows a three-dimensional view of a base component 104 of a laboratory device 100 with two movable positioning stops 106, 108 in opposite corners 110, 112 of the base component 104 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention from above. Figure 53 shows a bottom view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 52 . Figure 54 shows a top view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 52 with positioning pins 134 of the movable positioning stops 106, 108 in a locking state. Figure 55shows a top view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 52 with the positioning pins 134 in an unlocked state. Figure 56 shows a transparent view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 52 , in which invisible lines are depicted. Figure 57 shows a three-dimensional view of the basic component 104 of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 52 in a locked state of a specimen slide 102. The specimen slide 102 is designed here as a sample carrier plate (for example as a microplate with 384 wells), which in the illustrated operating state is fixed on the base component 104 as a specimen storage device. Figure 58 shows a bottom view of the basic component 104 of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 57 with sample carrier plate inserted from below.

[0207] The Figure 52The linearly displaceable positioning stops 106, 108 shown have conical positioning pins 134 in their upper region (which may alternatively have other shapes). During operation, the positioning pins 134 move away from the specimen slide 102 (for unlocking) or toward it (for locking). The positioning pins 134, which are at least partially conical, can be mounted interchangeably on the base component 104, for example, screwed to a respective positioning stop 106, 108.

[0208] Figure 52 shows the actuating device 116 as a lever for manually actuating the positioning stops 106, 108. Such manual operation can be advantageous, for example, for emergency unlocking or for rapid loading / unloading of the laboratory device 100 by laboratory personnel.

[0209] The exposed central region 126 of the base component 104 allows access to the specimen slide 102, which is designed here as a sample support plate. This free accessibility from below is achieved by positioning or attaching all components of the base component 104 in the edge region. This enables, for example, the space-saving integration of a temperature control device. An optical measurement of the medium in the specimen slide 102 from below through the base component 104 can also be performed due to the exposed central region 126 of the base component 104.

[0210] Figure 58shows in each of the two corners of the base component 104, in which the movable positioning stops 106, 108 are arranged, a rotatably mounted coupling element in the form of a guide disk 122 for guiding (more precisely linear movement) of the positioning stops 106, 108. The respective guide disk 122 (which can also be referred to as a cam disk) contains a track-shaped groove as a guide recess 118, into which a guide body 120 (for example a pin) of the linearly movable positioning stops 106, 108 projects. The guide body 120 thus engages in the guide recess 118 of the guide disc 122 (in particular in a track-shaped groove of a cam disc) and thus ensures - triggered by the rotation - a linear displacement of the movable positioning stops 106, 108. The guide disc 122 does not necessarily have to be a cylindrical disc, but can also be designed differently geometrically as a disc body that contains a track-shaped groove.

[0211] Furthermore, Figure 58 two rotatably mounted deflection pulleys 124 for a toothed belt or synchronous belt of a power transmission mechanism 130 of the fixing mechanism 114. This synchronous belt or toothed belt causes a synchronous movement of all positioning stops 106, 108.

[0212] The actuating device 116 according to Figure 58 further has a linearly mounted slider 260 for manual or automatic actuation of the fixing mechanism 114. For example, a Figure 31 The pin-shaped slider 258 of the carrier body 138, shown in FIG. 1, engages in an inversely shaped recess of the slider 260 and moves it. If no force is applied (manually or by an actuator or actuator 262, see Figure 31) acts on this slider 260, the slider 260 is moved back to its original position by a preloading element 198 (or another preloading element, such as a magnet) that can be implemented as a mechanical spring. The slider 260 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt or toothed belt of the power transmission mechanism 130, which generates a synchronous rotary movement of the guide discs 122, which in turn linearly displaces the positioning stops 106, 108.

[0213] The above-described embodiments of the actuating device 116 are based on a linear displacement of an actuating element. However, it should be emphasized that the actuating device 116 can also be actuated by turning, pivoting, or rotating according to other embodiments of the invention, thus acting on the synchronous belt drive or another power transmission mechanism 130.

[0214] The preloading element 198, designed as a tension spring, can be configured to move the linearly mounted slide 260 back to its rest position and thus to move the positioning stops 106, 108 toward the specimen slide 102 (i.e., into a locking position). This locking mechanism 114 thus closes automatically when no actuating force is applied.

[0215] Figure 59 shows a three-dimensional view of a base component 104 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with positioning pins 134 in all four corners. Thus, Figure 59 the base component 104 with four movable positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144 at all four corners 110, 112, 146, 148 of the base component 104 from above. Figure 60 shows a top view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 59 . Figure 61 shows a three-dimensional view of a bottom side of the base component 104 according to Figure 59 . Figure 62shows a view of a bottom side of the base component 104 according to Figure 59 . Figure 63 shows a bottom view of the basic component 104 according to Figure 59 with a representation of essentially invisible lines. Figure 64 shows a three-dimensional view of a basic component 104 of a laboratory device 100 with a specimen slide 102 mounted thereon according to Figure 59 to Figure 63 .

[0216] According to Figure 59 to Figure 64 In each corner 110, 112, 146, 148 of the base component 104, a guide disc 122 with a guide recess 118 is arranged, wherein a respective guide body 120 of a respective movable positioning stop 106, 108, 142, 144 engages in the associated guide recess 118. All four guide discs 120 are mechanically coupled to the actuating device 116 via a common toothed belt as a power transmission mechanism 130.

[0217] In each embodiment described herein with at least one movable positioning stop, sensor monitoring of the movement of a positioning stop can be implemented. The monitoring of the movement and position of the movable positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144 and thus the operating state of the locking or unlocking can be carried out according to Figure 59 to Figure 64be accomplished by one or more sensors (for example, a Hall sensor in conjunction with a magnet, a light barrier, etc.). Sensory monitoring of the movement of a positioning stop is advantageous for the operational reliability of a liquid handling system or a mixing device. The sensor monitoring can, for example, relate to the linear position of the movable positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144, the position of a respective rotatably mounted guide disc 122 (or another coupling element), or the linear position of the slide 260 of the actuating device 116.

[0218] Reference number 282 in Figure 62denotes a first possible sensor position (for example, for linear monitoring of an actuating lever of the actuating device 116). Reference numeral 284 denotes another possible sensor position (for example, for linear monitoring of the associated movable positioning stop 106). Reference numeral 286 denotes a third possible sensor position (for example, for monitoring the rotation of the guide disc 122 or another coupling element or a deflection roller 124).

[0219] Figure 65 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention from above, wherein the laboratory device 100 includes a mixing device. Figure 66 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body 138 of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 from above. Figure 67 shows an eccentric 152 with balancing mass 172 of a mixing drive mechanism 140 of the carrier body according to Figure 66 . Figure 68 shows the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 with a slide 102 mounted thereon, which is designed here as a microtiter plate. Figure 69 shows a bottom side of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 . Figure 70 shows a bottom side of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 without bottom cover, i.e. without a lid from below. Figure 71 shows a top view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 . Figure 72 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 , more precisely a section showing a mixing drive mechanism 140 with eccentrics 152, 154 and balancing masses 172, as well as pendulum supports 174.

[0220] As in Figure 70As shown, the carrier body 138 has a ring-shaped, closed power transmission mechanism 168, which is designed as a circumferentially closed toothed belt. This serves to transmit the drive force from the drive device 150 to the first eccentric 152 in a first corner and to the second eccentric 154 in a second corner opposite the first corner. The drive device 150 is arranged in a third corner. A deflection pulley 124 is arranged in a fourth corner.

[0221] How best in Figure 66 and Figure 67 As can be seen, a first balancing mass 172 is rotatably mounted on the first eccentric 152. Furthermore, a second balancing mass 172 is rotatably mounted on the second eccentric 154.

[0222] The embodiment according to Figure 65 to Figure 72shows a laboratory device 100 with an annular base component 104 with a rectangular outer contour and an annular support body 138 with a likewise rectangular outer contour. A through-hole in the annular base component 104 forms a free central region 126 of the base component 104. Correspondingly, a through-hole in the annular support body 138 forms a free central region 158 of the support body 138. When the annular base component 104 and the annular support body 138 are assembled, the free central regions 126, 158 are aligned or flush with one another, so that the laboratory device 100 formed from the base component 104 and the support body 138 also has a central through-hole formed from the central regions 126, 158.

[0223] The resulting laboratory device 100 has a mixing device and can also be used for all applications that require access to the specimen slide 102 (in particular, a sample support plate or with laboratory vessels) from below or that require a completely free optical axis. For example, this laboratory device 100 can be used in cell cultivation in nutrient medium with parallel online measurement of the optical density (OD) to monitor cell growth. To ensure good cell growth, the largest possible exchange surface between gas and liquid is necessary. This can be achieved using an orbital mixing motion.

[0224] Since the installation space in the middle of the laboratory device 100 is completely free (see the left-open central areas 126, 158), many other applications can also be carried out with the laboratory device 100 that require accessibility of the sample vessels from below (such as temperature control, readout, magnetic separation and other applications).

[0225] During the magnetic separation process, for example, washing and separation steps can be performed sequentially without the need to move the specimen slide 102 (e.g., a sample carrier plate) to another position. This can be accomplished by positioning electromagnets or movable permanent magnets beneath the specimen slide 102, which is configured as a sample carrier plate.

[0226] For example, sample carrier plates can be alternately placed on a mixing and / or temperature control device and then placed by a gripper onto a magnetic separation device with permanent magnets. They can then be transported back to the mixing device for washing steps. The movement of the sample carrier plate to a magnetic separation position and then to a mixing device (e.g., for washing steps) can be eliminated by using a combined laboratory device. However, such a movement can be performed if such a combined laboratory device is not available and individual positions are used.

[0227] The provision of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of a combination of an orbital shaker with electrically switchable magnets or linearly / rotationally movable permanent magnets in the direction of the sample carrier plate saves installation space, time and unnecessary movements in fully automated liquid handling systems.

[0228] Returning to Figure 65 to Figure 72 The support body 138 forms a stationary frame. The base component 104, on the other hand, forms a shaking tray for holding a specimen slide 102, particularly designed as a sample support plate, or laboratory vessels. Due to the opening of the laboratory device 100 through the central regions 126, 158, the vessels of the sample support plate are advantageously fully accessible from below. This allows, for example, a temperature control device, an optical measuring device, and / or another interaction device 128 to be accommodated in the central regions 126, 158.

[0229] In the embodiment according to Figure 65 to Figure 72 The actuating device 116 has an actuating lever for unlocking or locking the specimen slide 102. In the described embodiment, the actuation is achieved by rotation, but can also be achieved in another way (for example, by a longitudinal displacement).

[0230] Furthermore, the embodiment according to Figure 65 to Figure 72 Movable positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144 can be combined with fixed positioning stops, either alternatively or additionally. For example, fixed stop bars can be provided, or all positioning stops 106, 108, 142, 144 can be movable.

[0231] As in Figure 72 shown, can also be used in the embodiment according to Figure 65 to Figure 72Pendulum supports 174 with spherical ends (single-sided bearings) are mounted on a flat running surface at the top and bottom. Preferably, at least three pendulum supports 174 are provided here, four in the illustrated embodiment.

[0232] Two eccentrics 152, 154 or eccentric shafts can be provided for deflecting the base component 104 relative to the stationary support body 138. The balancing masses 172 serve to compensate for the imbalance generated by moving masses and are in the embodiment according to Figure 65 to Figure 72 attached directly to the eccentrics 152 and 154 respectively.

[0233] The Figure 70 The synchronous belt drive or toothed belt 168 shown for mechanically coupling the eccentrics 152, 154 with the drive device 150 and the tensioning roller or deflection roller 124 can also be designed differently (for example, according to Figure 34 ). The synchronous belt or toothed belt 168 serves for the synchronous movement of the eccentrics 152, 154.

[0234] Figure 73 shows different views of components of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 , which has a mixing device with orbitally moving balancing mass 172. Figure 73 shows a sectional view along a section line CC and a detail of this sectional view.

[0235] Figure 74 shows different views of components of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 65 . Figure 74 shows a sectional view along a section line DD, a detail of this sectional view and a three-dimensional view of the first eccentric 152 with balancing mass 172. Figure 74 shows a sectional view through the mixing device and represents a part of the mixing drive mechanism 140. In particular, Figure 74 the first eccentric shaft or the first eccentric 122 with the balancing mass 172 rigidly attached to it can be seen. In addition, Figure 74Two of the pendulum supports 174 of the pendulum support bearing are shown, which provide axial support for the shaking tray or base component 104 relative to the support body 138 designed as a stationary frame. Furthermore, a wave spring 278 is attached to the first eccentric 152, which serves to generate a contact force or normal force on the single-value axial bearing. Although this is Figure 74 Although not visible, such a wave spring 278 is also attached to the second eccentric 154. As an alternative to the wave springs 278, repulsive or attractive permanent magnets can also be implemented as a means for generating a contact force.

[0236] In the illustrated embodiment, compensating elements 280 are designed as O-rings, which serve to compensate for angles. This is shown in Figure 74on the outer ring of the bearing. In another embodiment, positioning can be realized on the eccentric shaft or the inner ring of the bearing. Clearly, the compensating elements 280 ensure that, in the event of angular errors of the eccentrics 152, 154 or the bearing, the axial bearing of the base component 104 still rests on all (preferably four) pendulum supports 174. The diameter of the shaft or the bearing receptacle is preferably smaller or larger than the inner or outer ring bearing, respectively, so that the transmission occurs only through the O-ring (or another compensating element 280).

[0237] Figure 75 shows a three-dimensional view of a laboratory device 100 according to another embodiment of the invention with a frame-shaped balancing mass 172, wherein two representations of a first eccentric 152 can also be seen.

[0238] The two illustrations (namely a three-dimensional view and a cross-sectional view) show the first eccentric 152 as a double eccentric. This double eccentric is formed from a first shaft section 290, a second shaft section 292, and a third shaft section 294, wherein the second shaft section 292 is arranged in the axial direction between the first shaft section 290 and the third shaft section 294. The second shaft section 292 has a larger diameter than the first shaft section 290 and the third shaft section 294. Each of the shaft sections 290, 292, and 294 is designed as a circular cylinder. A central axis of the third shaft section 294 is offset from a central axis of the first shaft section 290 by a value e1. A central axis of the second shaft section 292 is offset from the central axis of the first shaft end 290 by a distance e2.The first shaft section 290 is mounted in the support body 138, i.e., in the stationary frame. The second shaft section 292 (with eccentricity e2) functions to deflect the balancing mass 172. The third shaft section 294 (with eccentricity e1) deflects the base component 104.

[0239] Although this is Figure 75 is not shown, the second eccentric 154 can be designed in the same way as the first eccentric 152.

[0240] The double eccentric shown is particularly suitable for use with an orbitally moved frame-shaped balancing mass 172. An advantage of a frame-shaped balancing mass 172 for performing an orbital movement compared to rotating balancing masses 172, as previously described, is that the balancing mass 172 can be accommodated circumferentially in the edge area, thereby allowing an overall smaller installation space for the laboratory device 100 compared to rotating masses. Furthermore, the higher possible mass thus makes it possible to compensate for even larger moving masses. The frame-shaped balancing mass 172 is preferably made of a high-density material and moves orbitally like the base component 104, but eccentrically opposite to the frame bearing point (i.e., to the bearing point of the carrier body 138). The frame-shaped balancing mass 172 is illustrated in accordance with Figure 75provided in such a way that it does not rotate, but is moved eccentrically in the opposite direction to the base component 104 (i.e. the shaking tray) and the load (in particular with the object carrier 102). In such a configuration, it is highly advantageous to use a double eccentric as the first eccentric 152 and as the second eccentric 154. The eccentrics 152, 154 designed as double eccentrics serve to deflect the base component 104 and cause an opposite deflection of the (in particular frame-shaped) balancing mass 172. In the eccentric 152 (or 154) according to Figure 75It is a double eccentric with a cross-section or shaft section rotatably mounted in the stationary support body 138 and two oppositely eccentric cross-sections or shaft sections (one for deflecting the base component 104 and the other for deflecting the balancing mass 172). Thus, a frame-shaped balancing mass 172 can be attached to the first eccentric 152 (advantageously designed as a double eccentric) and / or to a second eccentric 154 (advantageously designed as a double eccentric) and arranged between the support body 138 and the base component 104 in order to execute a movement opposite to that of the base component 104 during mixing.

[0241] Figure 76 shows different views of components of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 75 . More precisely, Figure 76 a sectional view along a section line EE and a detail of this sectional view.

[0242] In particular, Figure 761 again shows the frame-shaped balancing mass 172, which can also be referred to as a vibrating frame. According to the illustrated embodiment, the balancing mass 172 is designed as a frame-shaped, orbitally counter-moving component for balancing imbalances.

[0243] Figure 77 shows a three-dimensional top view of a base component 104 with positioning stops 106, 108 and fixing mechanism 114 of a laboratory device 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 78 shows a three-dimensional underside view of the base component 104 with positioning stops 106, 108 and fixing mechanism 114 according to Figure 77 . Figure 79 shows a three-dimensional bottom view of a functional assembly 300 of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 77 and Figure 78 . Figure 80 shows a cross-sectional view of the functional assembly 300 according to Figure 79 . Figure 81shows a three-dimensional view of a one-piece base component 104 of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 77 to Figure 80 .

[0244] Figure 77 to Figure 81 show a laboratory device 100 designed as an object storage device with an automatable locking device in the form of the fixing mechanism 114 and with two movable positioning stops 106, 108. The Figure 77 to Figure 81 The exemplary embodiment shown is characterized by a particularly low complexity, a particularly small number of components and a particularly simple assembly of the illustrated assemblies and the laboratory device 100 to be manufactured therefrom. A laboratory device 100 according to Figure 77 to Figure 81 can be used in particular, but not exclusively, for tempering, mixing and / or manipulating biological samples in a laboratory automation system.

[0245] In Figure 78 (but also in Figure 87) a clamping device 314 is shown, which is designed for tolerance-compensating clamping of the annularly closed power transmission mechanism 130. The power transmission mechanism 130 according to Figure 78 is a toothed belt that can be locally tensioned or redirected in the area of ​​the actuating device 116 by means of the tensioning device 314 in order to compensate for tolerances between the dimensions of the toothed belt and the dimensions and positions of the components of the actuating device 116 and the fixing mechanism 114. This has the advantage that particularly strict requirements do not have to be placed on the tolerances of the aforementioned components, without negatively affecting the operating accuracy of the laboratory device 100. Even larger tolerances can be easily compensated for using the tensioning device 314.

[0246] Figure 79shows the functional assembly 300 with a plate carrier 302 formed as a structured sheet metal, on which components of the actuating device 116 and the fixing mechanism 114 are pre-assembled. More specifically, Figure 79 a pre-assembly in the form of the functional module 300 without basic component 104 and without positioning modules 304 (see Figure 82 ). The described configuration leads to particularly simple production and pre-assembly. The vertically compact and efficiently pre-assembled functional module 300 results in a low overall height and easy manufacturability of the laboratory device 100. In addition, as in Figure 81 shown, the base component 104 is formed in one piece and in one material and is designed to receive the pre-assembled functional assembly 300 as well as positioning assemblies 304, which form the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108, respectively, and can be designed, for example, as in Figure 82 By assembling the above-mentioned modules, the Figure 78 shown configuration can be obtained.

[0247] Figure 80 shows a section through the mounting of a guide pulley 122 (or cam pulley) and a deflection roller 124 (whereby, if four positioning stops are provided at the location of the deflection roller 124, a further cam pulley or guide pulley 122 can also be mounted). Figure 80that plain bearings 330 can be used for the rotatable mounting of all guide pulleys 122 and deflection pulleys 124 of the toothed belt drive. This allows for simple and cost-effective production as well as robust operation. As an alternative to the plain bearings 330, other bearing types can also be used, for example, ball bearings. The plate carrier 302 is designed here as a base plate. Reference numeral 360 indicates a toothed belt pulley with a shaft extension. Furthermore, a fastening element 362, designed, for example, as a screw, is provided. Figure 80 It can therefore be seen that the guide structure designed as a guide disk 122 can be rotatably mounted on the base component 104 by means of a slide bearing 330. As also shown in Figure 80As shown, the guide structure designed as a guide pulley 122 is arranged in a different corner of the base component 104 than a deflection roller 124, which is also supported by means of a further slide bearing 330. The use of a respective slide bearing 130 represents a mechanically simple configuration, which leads to a compact and easily manufactured laboratory device 100. Advantageously, slide bearings 330 can be provided for the rotatable mounting of all guide pulleys 122 (in particular cam discs) and deflection rollers 124 of the toothed belt mechanism, as shown in Figure 80 shown.

[0248] The laboratory device 100 is from the Figure 81 shown basic component 104 as a base part, in Figure 82 shown positioning assemblies 304 (also referred to as positioning slide assembly) and the functional assembly 300 pre-assembled on a sheet-metal base part according to Figure 79 The basic component 104 according to Figure 81is configured for the attachment of two positioning stops 106, 108. The functional assembly 300 accommodates all components of the fixing mechanism 114 and the actuating device 116. The positioning slides or positioning assemblies 304 according to Figure 82 can be mounted on it as part of a final assembly. The functional module 300 according to Figure 79 can be completely pre-assembled and adjusted. This significantly simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0249] For final assembly, the pre-assembled positioning assemblies 304 (or positioning slides) are Figure 82 into the guides of the base component 104 (or base part) according to Figure 81 inserted and then the functional module 300 according to Figure 79 screwed into the base component 104.

[0250] Figure 82shows a cross-sectional view of a positioning assembly 304 with positioning stops 106, 108 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0251] In particular, Figure 82 It is shown that each of the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108 can have a positioning sleeve 306 with a through-hole 308. A fastening element 310, for example, designed as a screw, can be inserted into the through-hole 308 to fasten the positioning sleeve 306. The fastening element 310 can have an external thread that can be screwed to an optional internal thread 370 of the positioning sleeve 306.

[0252] Also in Figure 82It is shown that each of the first positioning stop 106 and the second positioning stop 108 can have an external profiling 312, which in the illustrated embodiment is an external thread on an outer side of the positioning sleeve 306. The profiling 312 clearly serves to engage the specimen slide 102 during operation of the laboratory device 100. For example, the external thread can penetrate a certain distance into the plastic material of a specimen slide 102, for example designed as a microtiter plate, and thereby hold the specimen slide 102 securely between the positioning stops 106, 108. In particular, this can prevent undesired vertical lifting of the specimen slide 102 during operation.

[0253] Thus, in Figure 82It is shown that the positioning sleeves 306 of the positioning pins 134 can be equipped with an external thread or another profile 312. These positioning sleeves 306 can be connected to the slider using the fastening element 310, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a screw, which allows for easy replacement if adjustments are necessary. The profile 312, implemented here as an external thread, can be designed as a cylindrical thread or as a tapered thread if the positioning sleeve 306 is conical. Due to the resulting roughness, a reliable frictional connection to specimen slides 102, which are usually made of plastic (in particular laboratory vessels such as microtiter plates), can be formed in this way. This allows a good and secure hold to be achieved, for example, but not exclusively, when the laboratory device 100 is used as a mixing device.

[0254] Figure 83shows a three-dimensional bottom view of a base component 104 with positioning stops 106, 108 and fixing mechanism 114 as well as an interaction device 128 designed as a heat sink of a laboratory device 100. Advantageously, said laboratory device 100 is equipped with a part of a normal force generating device 352 described in more detail below. Figure 84 shows a three-dimensional top view of a carrier body 138 of the laboratory device 100 with another part of the normal force generating device 352 for interaction with the base component 104 according to Figure 83 . Figure 85 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and shows a coupling region between the base component 104 according to Figure 83 and the carrier body 138 according to Figure 84 . The laboratory device 100 according to Figure 83 to Figure 85can, for example, be designed as a mixing device for objects such as sample containers.

[0255] As already mentioned, the laboratory device 100 has Figure 83 to Figure 85 the normal force generating device 352 for generating a normal force to inhibit a lifting of the movable base component 104 from the support body 138 or, more precisely, the pendulum supports 174 between the support body 138 and the base component 104. Illustratively, the normal force generating device 352 generates a vertical attractive force between the support body 138 and the base component 104. According to Figure 83 and Figure 84 The normal force generating device 352 has two normal force generating magnets 356 on the base component 104 and two cooperating normal force generating magnets 358 on the carrier body 138. The normal force generating magnets 356, 358 according to Figure 83 to Figure 85are designed to attract each other. Closely arranged attractive normal force generating magnets 356, 358 have the advantage of only slightly influencing the electronics of the laboratory device 100. By configuring the normal force generating device 352 and the mixing drive mechanism 140 according to Figure 83 to Figure 85 the normal force generation by means of the normal force generation device 352 is functionally decoupled from a horizontal force generation by means of the mixing drive mechanism 140.

[0256] More precisely, the normal force generated by the normal force generating device 352 is transferred to the pendulum supports 174. Such a normal force generating device 352 can, for example, be provided with magnets (as in Figure 83 to Figure 85 ) and / or with spring elements (see Figure 93). The normal force generating magnets 356, 358 can be attached directly to the support body 138 (also referred to as the frame) or to the base component 104 (also referred to as the shaking tray). This has the advantage that the generated normal force does not place any more axial load than necessary on the ball bearings 222 of the eccentrics 152, 154. The normal force generated by the normal force generating device 352 is advantageous for ensuring that the base component 104 always rests on bearing elements (in the illustrated embodiment, implemented as pendulum supports 174) during its movement.

[0257] A transmission of axial forces directly via rotary bearings (in particular via bearing inner ring - rolling elements - bearing outer ring) would not be ideal in the case of large loads or tilting moments and the use of deep groove ball bearings (high radial forces, low axial forces) and would force the choice of geometrically large bearings, which would have to be accommodated structurally.

[0258] However, it is ideal, as in the example shown in Figure 83 to Figure 85 , the generation of the normal force directly between the components involved without the involvement of a rotation bearing. This is according to Figure 83 to Figure 85 This is made possible by implementing normal force generating magnets 356, 358 designed as permanent magnets in the carrier body 138 and in the base component 104 and making them attractive (or repulsive, see Figure 92 ) can be linked together.

[0259] In Figure 83The base component 104, designed as a shaker tray, is shown from below. Two permanent magnets 356, which can be glued into the tray near the bearings (alternatively or additionally, but also possible at other locations), are shown. These magnets, together with another attractive normal force generating magnet 358 in the support body 138 designed as a frame, provide a normal force in the direction of the frame (thus onto the pendulum supports 174).

[0260] Advantageously, the normal or axial force is generated directly via the normal force generating magnets 356, 358 (attractive or repulsive) between the components (ie carrier body 138 and base component 104).

[0261] Figure 84shows the support body 138, designed as a frame, from above. Two normal force generating magnets 358, designed as permanent magnets, are visible here. These magnets ensure a normal force in the direction of the base component 104, designed as a shaking tray.

[0262] The configuration according to Figure 83 and Figure 84 The normal force is therefore not transmitted via the respective eccentric shaft. As a result, the bearings (especially ball bearings 222) of the eccentrics 152, 154 are subjected to only very slight axial loads, resulting in high reliability and a long service life.

[0263] Figure 85 shows a section through an eccentric shaft for the example of an attractive permanent magnet pair according to Figure 83 and Figure 84 Other geometries are possible. Advantageous geometries are those in which the axial force is not transmitted via the shaft, but directly from the shaker tray to the frame.

[0264] The embodiments described below according to Figure 86 to Figure 90 show laboratory devices 100 designed as a mixing device with two eccentrics 152, 154 with eccentric shafts, one of which is driven directly by a drive device 150 designed as a motor and only a single toothed belt drive is required to indirectly drive the other eccentric shaft.

[0265] Figure 86 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body 138 of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 87 shows a three-dimensional bottom view of a base component 104 with positioning stops 106, 108 and fixing mechanism 114 as well as a cooling body of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 for interaction with the carrier body 138 according to Figure 86 .

[0266] Thus, Figure 86An alternative embodiment of a frame or support body 138 with two eccentrics 152, 154 in a top view. In this embodiment, a normal force can be generated via a single attractive permanent magnet as the normal force generating magnet 358. Similarly, Figure 87 an alternative embodiment of a shaking tray or base component 104 in a view from below, in which the normal force can be generated via a single attractive permanent magnet as normal force generating magnet 356. According to Figure 86 and Figure 87Thus, the carrier body 138 has only a single normal force generating magnet 358 and the base component 104 has only a single normal force generating magnet 356. Alternatively, a different central magnet or spring arrangement can be implemented in which the axial force is not transmitted via the eccentric shafts and bearings, but directly between the base component 104 and the carrier body 138. For example, a spring or other force generating element can also be arranged centrally, which can contribute to generating a force between the base component 104 and the carrier body 138.

[0267] According to Figure 86 Balancing masses 172 are attached directly to the respective eccentrics 152, 154. This advantageously allows for balancing imbalances during operation of the eccentrics 152, 154 directly at the point of origin. This reduces the forces acting on various components of the laboratory device 100, thus reducing wear and leading to an increased service life.

[0268] Figure 88 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body 138 of a laboratory device 100 with a part of a normal force generating device 352 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 89 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the carrier body 138 according to Figure 88 can be implemented.

[0269] Figure 88shows an alternative design of a support body 138 designed as a frame with two balancing masses 172 directly on the respective eccentrics 152, 154 from above. A normal force can also be generated here, for example, via an attractive permanent magnet, or through another central magnet or spring arrangement, in which the axial force is not transmitted via the eccentric shafts and bearings, but is generated directly between the frame and shaker tray components. A spring can also be arranged centrally, or another element that can generate a force between the components.

[0270] Figure 89 shows a section through a balancing mass 172 with an eccentrically mounted bearing. In this embodiment, only two fixed pins protrude into the inner ring of the bearing in the base component 104, causing it to deflect.

[0271] The described embodiment has advantages: For example, the eccentricity or amplitude of the laboratory device 100 can be adjusted simply by replacing the balancing mass 172. In a standard configuration (separate balancing mass 172 and shaft of the respective eccentric 152, 154), both components (eccentric shaft amplitude / eccentricity and balancing mass imbalance capacity) can be adjusted. Changes in the mixing amplitude can occur during mixing using orbital circular motion.

[0272] Figure 90 shows a three-dimensional view of a carrier body 138 of a laboratory device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 91 shows a cross-sectional view of the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 90 .

[0273] According to Figure 90 and Figure 91The first eccentric 152 is mounted directly on the drive device 150. The second eccentric 154, however, is force-coupled to the first eccentric 152 and the drive device 150 by means of a power transmission belt 350. This eliminates the need for components for coupling the first eccentric 152 to the drive device 150, allowing the associated laboratory device 100 to be designed compactly and simply. Thus, according to Figure 90 and Figure 91 One of the two eccentric shafts can be driven directly by the motor. Only one power transmission belt (e.g., a toothed belt) is sufficient, and the design requires a particularly small number of components and bearings.

[0274] Since in the embodiment according to Figure 90 and Figure 91 All resulting imbalances are compensated directly at one bearing point, resulting in particularly high reliability and service life.

[0275] In the sectional view according to Figure 91 It can be seen that the laboratory device 100 requires only a single centrally arranged pair of permanent magnets as the normal force generating device 352. More precisely, according to Figure 90 and Figure 91 the base component 104 has only one normal force generating magnet 356 and the carrier body 138 has only one normal force generating magnet 358.

[0276] Figure 92 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0277] According to Figure 92The normal force generating device 352 has a rigid element 366, for example, a bolt, rigidly connected to a first normal force generating magnet 358 and extending through a second normal force generating magnet 356. The rigid element 366 is attached to the base component 104, whereas the second normal force generating magnet 356 is attached to the carrier body 138. If the base component 104, together with the rigid element 366 attached thereto, moves away from the carrier body 138, the first normal force generating magnet 358 is carried along and thereby moved toward the second normal force generating magnet 356, which is fixedly attached to the carrier body 138. If the normal force generating magnets 356, 358 are repulsive, the described mechanism leads to a magnetic repulsive force that pulls the base component 104 back toward the carrier body 138.

[0278] In the embodiment according to Figure 92The two normal force-generating magnets 356, 358 are designed to repel each other. This is evident from the designation "S" for south pole and "N" for north pole. Figure 92shows a section through the laboratory device 100, which has the described normal force generating device 352 for generating the normal force using repulsive permanent magnets as normal force generating magnets 356, 358. The rigid element 366 (for example, a bolt) on the base component 104, designed as a shaking tray, protrudes through a second normal force generating magnet 356, designed here as a disc magnet or ring magnet, in the support body 138, designed as a frame. Furthermore, another normal force generating magnet (in particular designed as a permanent magnet), namely the first normal force generating magnet 358, is attached to the end of the rigid element 366. A disc magnet is advantageous for promoting the eccentric movement between the frame and the shaking tray. In particular, the first normal force generating magnet 358 can be connected integrally to the rigid element 366.The second normal force generating magnet 356 can be firmly anchored in the support body 138. Since the second normal force generating magnet 356 cannot move and the first normal force generating magnet 358 experiences a downward repulsive force, the base component 104 is pulled toward the support body 138.

[0279] Figure 93 shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device 100 with normal force generating device 352 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0280] According to Figure 93 The normal force generating device 352 has a normal force generating spring 354 coupling the base component 104 to the carrier body 138. Furthermore, according to Figure 93The normal force generating device 352 has a flexible element 368 operatively connected to the normal force generating spring 354, wherein the flexible element 368 is attached to the base component 104 and the normal force generating spring 354 is attached to the support body 138. The flexible element 368 can be rigid in the pulling direction but flexible transversely to the pulling direction. Due to its flexibility, the flexible element 368 attached to the base component 104 (for example, a rope or wire) can follow mixed movements in a horizontal plane. The prestressed normal force generating spring 354 attached to the support body 138 can inhibit the base component 104 from being lifted off the support body 138 and can retract the base component 104 downward by means of the flexible element 368.

[0281] Again, Figure 93A section through the laboratory device 100, in which the normal force is generated by a prestressed spring element in the form of the normal force generating spring 354 and a flexible element 368 (for example, a rope, a wire, etc.). The flexible element 368 serves to compensate for the amplitude and / or the eccentricity between the support body 138 and the base component 104. The normal force generating spring 354 clearly pulls the flexible element 368 downward, thereby pulling the base component 104 toward the support body 138. The configuration with a normal force generating spring 354 allows a liquid-tight realization of the base component 104 or support body 138, which can be advantageous if, for example, condensate is formed during cooling applications of the laboratory device 100, which then cannot penetrate into the interior.The liquid-tight configuration can be clearly achieved by the fact that no openings are necessary in the base component 104 from above to preload the spring.

[0282] According to Figure 93 By means of one or more spring elements, a normal force can be generated directly between the support body 138 (also referred to as the frame) and the base component 104 (also referred to as the shaking tray), without loading the rotational bearings of the eccentrics 152, 154. This reduces the mechanical load and thus the wear of the eccentrics 152, 154 and therefore increases their service life. As an alternative to the design according to Figure 93 For example, it is also possible to suspend a tension spring between the base component 104 and the support body 138.

[0283] Figure 94shows a cross-sectional view of a laboratory device 100 with a normal force generating device 352 and a magnetic field shielding device 380 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0284] According to Figure 94 The normal force generating device 352 has a magnetic field shielding device 380, which is formed by two opposing ferromagnetic end plates. The magnetic field shielding device 380 serves to shield a magnetic field generated by the normal force generating magnets 356, 358. More specifically, according to Figure 94The normal force generating magnets 356 of the base component 104 and the normal force generating magnets 358 of the carrier body 138 are designed to attract each other in pairs. The base component 104 has two normal force generating magnets 358 oriented antiparallel to each other. Similarly, the carrier body 138 has two normal force generating magnets 356 oriented antiparallel to each other. Each of the normal force generating magnets 358 is arranged opposite a respective one of the normal force generating magnets 356, so that an attractive magnetic force is generated between the respective pair of normal force generating magnets 358, 356. A first ferromagnetic shielding plate 382 of the magnetic field shielding device 380 is arranged on a side of the normal force generating magnets 356 facing away from the normal force generating magnets 358.In a corresponding manner, a second ferromagnetic shielding plate 384 of the magnetic field shielding device 380 is arranged on a side of the normal force generating magnets 358 facing away from the normal force generating magnets 356.

[0285] In the embodiment according to Figure 94 Thus, the normal force generating magnets 356, 358 are designed as attractive permanent magnets, which are provided with magnetic return plates in the form of the shielding plates 382, ​​384. In the laboratory device 100 according to Figure 94 The attractive permanent magnets are additionally coupled by means of ferromagnetic return plates. In the sectional view according to Figure 94A laboratory device 100 designed as a mixing device is shown, in which four permanent magnets (two at the top in the movable base component 104, two at the bottom in the stationary frame or in the support body 138) are arranged so as to attract one another and are coupled to one another on the rear side by return plates. By using said return plates, the magnetic energy is at least partially (in particular predominantly or completely) concentrated on the attractive surface and the spatial effect of the magnetic field is limited. In this way, unwanted magnetization of the environment or influence on the surrounding electronic components in the laboratory device 100 can be prevented. Clearly, the magnetic field lines can be concentrated or focused on the area of ​​the magnetic field shielding device 380 by the shielding plates 382, ​​384.

[0286] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. Laboratory apparatus (100) for mixing a medium in a slide (102), wherein the laboratory apparatus (100) comprises: a support body (138); a base component (104) for receiving the slide (102), said base component being arranged on the support body (138) and movable relative to the support body (138) for the purpose of mixing; a mixing drive mechanism (140) arranged on the support body (138), having a drive device (150), a first eccentric (152), and a second eccentric (154), which are drivable by means of the drive device (150) and are designed to transmit a driving force generated by the drive device (150) to the base component (104) in order to mix the medium in the slide (102); wherein the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) are arranged on a peripheral edge (156) of the support body (138) and outside a central region (158) of the support body (138); and wherein the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) are arranged on opposite side edges of the support body (138) to each other and offset laterally with respect to each other, or the first eccentric (152) is arranged in a first corner of the support body (138), and the second eccentric (154) is arranged in a second corner of the support body (138), characterized in that the laboratory apparatus has at least one pendulum support (174) that is mounted so as to be movable between the support body (138) and the base component (104), wherein the at least one pendulum support (174) is mounted at the bottom in at least a first depression (176) in the support body (138), and at the top in at least a second depression (178) in the base component (104), wherein at least one first counter-rotating plate (180) is / are arranged on the support body (138) in physical contact with a bottom surface of the at least one pendulum support (174), and / or at least one second counter-rotating plate (182) is / are arranged on the main component (104) in physical contact with a head surface of the at least one pendulum support (174).

2. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 1, wherein a cavity is formed in the central region (158), wherein in particular the support body (138) is configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow through the cavity from an exterior of the laboratory apparatus (100), wherein in particular the support body (138) has at least one cooling opening (162) on mutually opposite sides, through which the cooling fluid flows from outside the laboratory apparatus (100), through the cavity and out of the laboratory apparatus (100) again.

3. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, further having at least one of the following features: wherein a cavity is formed in the central region (158), in which at least a portion of a heat sink (164) attached to an underside of the main component (104) is received, having a thermal coupling plate (166) on the main component (104), the upper side of which forms at least a portion of a bearing surface for the slide (102), wherein the underside of the thermal coupling plate (166) is thermally coupled to the heat sink (164), having an annularly closed first force-transmitting mechanism (168), in particular a first toothed belt, for transmitting the driving force from the drive device (150) to the first eccentric (152), and / or having an annularly closed second force-transmitting mechanism (170), in particular a second toothed belt, for transmitting the driving force from the drive device (150) to the second eccentric (154); having an annularly closed force-transmitting mechanism (168), in particular a toothed belt, for transmitting the driving force from the drive device (150) to the first eccentric (152) and to the second eccentric (154).

4. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, having at least one counterbalancing mass (172) to at least partially compensate for an imbalance produced by the first eccentric (152), the second eccentric (154) and the main component (104).

5. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 4, having at least one of the following features: wherein the at least one counterbalancing mass (172) is attached asymmetrically to the drive device (150); wherein a first counterbalancing mass (172) is attached to the first eccentric (152), and a second counterbalancing mass (172) is attached to the second eccentric (154), or wherein a counterbalancing mass (172), which in particular is in the form of a frame, is attached to at least one of the first eccentric (152), in particular embodied as a double eccentric, and the second eccentric (154), in particular embodied as a double eccentric, and is arranged between the support body (138) and the main component (104), and is designed to perform a movement which is counter to that of the main component (104) during mixing.

6. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one first counter-rotating plate (180) and / or the at least one second counter-rotating plate (182) contains or is made from ceramic, wherein in particular the at least one pendulum support (174) on the one hand and the at least one first counter-rotating plate (180) and / or the at least one second counter-rotating plate (182) on the other hand are configured for rolling friction interaction, and in particular for sliding friction-free interaction.

7. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one pendulum support (174) has a laterally broadened head portion (184) and a laterally broadened base portion (186) as well as a pin section (188) arranged between the head portion (184) and the base portion (186).

8. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 7, wherein an outer surface of the head portion (184) has a first spherical surface (190), and / or an outer surface of the base portion (186) has a second spherical surface (192) wherein in particular a first radius (R1) of the first spherical surface (190) and / or a second radius (R2) of the second spherical surface (192) is / are larger than an axial length (L) of the at least one pendulum support (174).

9. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one pendulum support (174) in particular contains or consists of plastic wherein the laboratory apparatus (100) in particular includes at least three pendulum supports (174), in particular four pendulum supports (174), which are mounted in pairs on mutually opposite sides of the support body (138) and of the main component (104).

10. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the drive device (150) is arranged in a third corner of the support body (138), in particular in a third corner between the first corner and the second corner, wherein the laboratory apparatus (100) in particular has a guide pulley (194), which is arranged in a fourth corner of the support body (138).

11. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, having: a movable first positioning stop (106) for abutment with a first edge region of the slide (102); a second positioning stop (108) for abutment with a second edge region of the slide (102); a fixing mechanism (114) for fixing the slide (102) to the main component (104) between the first positioning stop (106) and the second positioning stop (108) by moving at least the first positioning stop (106) wherein in particular the fixing mechanism (114) is arranged along at least a portion of a periphery of the main component (104), leaving free a central region (126) of the main component (104) surrounded by the periphery.

12. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, having a normal force-producing device (352) for generating a normal force to suppress lifting of the movable main component (104) from the support body (138) and / or from at least one pendulum support (174) between the support body (138) and the main component (104) wherein the normal force-producing device (352) and the mixing drive mechanism (140) are in particular designed to functionally decouple the normal force generated by means of the normal force-producing device (352) from a horizontal force produced by the mixing drive mechanism (140).

13. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 12, wherein the normal force-producing device (352) includes at least one normal force-producing spring (354) which couples the main component (104) to the support body (138), wherein the normal force-producing device (352) in particular has a pliable element (368) which is operatively connected to the at least one normal force-producing spring (354), and wherein one of the at least one normal force-producing spring (354) and the pliable element (368) is attached to the main component (104), and the other of the at least one normal force-producing spring (354) and the pliable element (368) is attached to the support body (138).

14. Laboratory apparatus (100) according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the normal force-producing device (352) includes at least two normal force-producing magnets (356, 358) which couple the main component (104) to the support body (138), wherein in particular the at least two normal force-producing magnets (356, 358) are designed to be mutually attractive or mutually repulsive, wherein the normal force-producing device (352) includes a rigid element (366) which is rigidly connected to a first of the normal force-producing magnets (358) and which passes through a second of the normal force-producing magnets (356), and wherein the rigid element (366) is attached to the main component (104), and the second normal force-producing magnet (356) is attached to the support body (138), wherein the normal force-producing device (352) in particular includes a magnetic field shielding device (380), in particular ferromagnetic keepers, for shielding a magnetic field produced by the at least two normal force-producing magnets (356, 358).

15. Method for mixing a medium in a slide (102), wherein the method includes: seating the slide (102) on a main component (104) which is arranged on a support body (138) and can be moved with respect to the support body (138) for the purpose of mixing; arranging a mixing drive mechanism (140), which includes a drive device (150), a first eccentric (152) and a second eccentric (154), on the support body (138); arranging the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) on a peripheral edge (156) of the support body (138) and outside a central region (158) of the support body (138); and driving the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) by means of the drive device (150) in order to transmit a driving force produced by the drive device (150) to the main component (104) in order to mix the medium in the slide (102); wherein the first eccentric (152) and the second eccentric (154) are laterally offset with respect to each other on mutually opposite side edges of the support body (138), or the first eccentric (152) is arranged in a first corner of the support body (138), and the second eccentric (154) is arranged in a second corner of the support body (138), characterized in that at least one pendulum support (174) that is mounted so as to be movable between the support body (138) and the base component (104), wherein the at least one pendulum support (174) is mounted at the bottom in at least a first depression (176) in the support body (138), and at the top in at least a second depression (178) in the base component (104), wherein at least one first counter-rotating plate (180) is / are arranged on the support body (138) in physical contact with a bottom surface of the at least one pendulum support (174), and / or at least one second counter-rotating plate (182) is / are arranged on the main component (104) in physical contact with a head surface of the at least one pendulum support (174).

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