Dual Static Robots for Simultaneous Test Tube Loading and Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory systems face challenges in efficiently handling and managing the increasing number of biological specimens, requiring frequent storage and retrieval of test tubes from refrigerated stores, which current automation systems cannot handle simultaneously with sufficient speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two distinct static robots with mechanical arms capable of three-dimensional movement, coordinated by a central control unit, to simultaneously load and unload test tubes from a refrigerated store to and from a conveyor system, utilizing revolving plates and a container handling device for efficient handling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single robot is used to handle test tubes in both loading and unloading operations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases because loading and unloading cannot be performed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the test tube handling function into two separate robots: a first robot dedicated to loading test tubes from the conveyor into the refrigerated store, and a second robot dedicated to unloading test tubes from the store to the conveyor. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of loading and unloading, resolving the productivity limitation of a single robot while maintaining clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines two distinct robot systems (loading robot and unloading robot) to work together in coordination through a centralized control unit. This merging of multiple specialized robots enables simultaneous loading and unloading operations, achieving higher overall productivity than a single robot could provide while managing complexity through coordinated control.
2Loss of time
If a single robot performs both loading and unloading operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to sequential operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The time loss is reduced by segmenting the operations into parallel processes: the first robot handles loading operations while the second robot simultaneously handles unloading operations. This eliminates the sequential time penalty of a single robot having to complete one operation before starting the other, despite the increased control complexity managed by the centralized control unit.
3Productivity
If the number of biological specimens handled increases, then the productivity requirement increases, but the device complexity must also increase to handle the volume
Solution Approach 1:
To handle increased volumes of biological specimens, the system segments the handling function into dedicated loading and unloading robots. This allows the system to scale productivity by running loading and unloading in parallel, accommodating higher specimen volumes without requiring a single overly complex robot, thus managing device complexity through functional specialization.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an apparatus for automatically depositing, preserving and recovering specimens of biological materials contained in test tubes in/from a refrigerated store. Said apparatus comprises two test tube handling devices between test tube containers and carriers positioned on a conveyor adapted to automatically handle said test tubes; said two test tube handling devices are intended the one to load said test tubes from the refrigerated store to the conveyor and the other to unload test tubes from the conveyor (4) to the refrigerated store. Said test some containers are handled between said refrigerated store and said test tube handling devices by a container handling device.