Bidirectional Vertical Conveyor for Automated Specimen Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory automation systems often require manual transfer of specimens between separate systems located at different heights, which is inefficient and disrupts operator tasks, and known apparatuses can only operate in alternating directions, leading to delays in specimen exchange.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional apparatus with a motor-driven belt system and pushers allows simultaneous ascent and descent of conveying devices, ensuring continuous and automated transfer of specimens between automation systems at different heights, maintaining vertical orientation to preserve biological materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual transfer of specimens between automation systems is implemented, then specimen exchange can occur between systems at different heights, but operator availability decreases and transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transfer apparatus consisting of vertical conveyors that connect automation systems at different heights. These conveyors act as mediators to transfer specimens between systems without requiring manual intervention, thereby automating the transfer process while maintaining high exchange rates through continuous vertical conveyance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal specimen transfer to vertical transfer by implementing conveyors that move specimens in the vertical dimension between floors. This dimensional change allows specimens to be transferred between automation systems at different heights efficiently, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and transfer productivity.
2Productivity
If a single-path conveyor system is used for alternating ascent and descent, then device complexity is reduced, but transfer speed and productivity deteriorate due to sequential operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conveyor system into multiple independent vertical conveyors, each capable of simultaneous operation in opposite directions. This segmentation allows one conveyor to handle ascending specimens while another handles descending specimens, thereby increasing overall transfer speed without requiring overly complex single-path systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the productivity-complexity contradiction by adding vertical dimensionality with multiple parallel conveyors rather than using a single horizontal path. This allows simultaneous bidirectional transfers through spatial separation, achieving high productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular vertical units.
3Ease of operation
If conveying devices are tilted for loading and unloading specimens, then ease of operation improves, but specimen integrity may be compromised and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring that loading and unloading operations occur at horizontal levels where specimens remain in a horizontal position. The conveyors are designed with loading/unloading zones at the same elevation as the source and destination systems, eliminating the need to tilt specimens and thereby preserving specimen integrity while maintaining ease of operation through level transfers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid, continuous, and automated specimen exchange between laboratory automation systems on different floors, reducing operator intervention and maintaining specimen integrity, while simplifying maintenance with a monolithic design.
Implementation Method 1
a bidirectional apparatus with a motor-driven belt system and pushers allows simultaneous ascent and descent of conveying devices
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described an apparatus (1) for the transfer of conveying devices (5) of containers of biological products (4) between laboratory automation systems (2, 3) placed at different heights. Said apparatus (1) comprises a motor-driven belt (9) arranged transversely with respect to said automation systems (2, 3). Shelves (10) are fixed to said motor-driven belt (9) for accommodating said conveying devices (5) during said transfer. Said conveying devices (5) are loaded/unloaded on/from said shelves (10) of said apparatus (1) by the action of pushers (11). Said belt (9) allows, by means of its rotation, a simultaneous bidirectional transfer, both in ascent and descent, of conveying devices (5) from one automation system (2, 3) to the other (3, 2).