Floating Receptacle Holder Alignment for Automated Analyzer Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analysis systems face challenges in maintaining precise positioning of consumables due to deviations in robotic manipulators, leading to malfunctions and the need for frequent re-teaching, especially when the manipulator can only tolerate small deviations from a taught position.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable loading element and a holding structure that includes alignment elements to ensure precise positioning of consumables, allowing the manipulator to encounter materials in a taught position and maintain high precision after repeated actuations, by decoupling the holding structure from the movable loading element to prevent displacement caused by forces during actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the holding structure is rigidly coupled to the movable loading element, then the structure is simpler, but positioning precision deteriorates due to displacement from actuation forces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into multiple independent alignment elements (first alignment element on chassis, second alignment element on holding structure) that work together to achieve precise positioning. This segmentation allows each element to handle specific alignment tasks, reducing the displacement caused by actuation forces while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment elements act as intermediary components between the movable loading element and the holding structure. These intermediaries absorb and compensate for displacement forces during actuation, ensuring that the holding structure maintains its predetermined position relative to the chassis without requiring a complex rigid coupling.
2Manufacturing precision
If the holding structure is floatingly coupled to the movable loading element with alignment elements, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating coupling introduces local quality differences in the coupling structure: the alignment elements provide precise positioning at critical locations (local high precision), while other parts of the coupling structure can be simpler and more compliant (local flexibility). This allows the system to achieve high positioning precision without uniformly increasing the complexity of the entire coupling structure.
3Productivity
If the movable loading element is frequently actuated, then productivity is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to cumulative displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment elements are designed to beforehand cushion against displacement forces that occur during actuation. The first alignment element on the chassis and the second alignment element on the holding structure are pre-positioned to engage and maintain the predetermined position, compensating for cumulative displacement effects before they can affect positioning precision during repeated actuations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for loading an automated analysis system is presented. The device comprises a chassis, a movable loading element movably coupled to the chassis and configured to move between a first and a second position, a holding structure, the holding structure being floatingly coupled to the movable loading element, the holding structure being configured to hold a receptacle for material to be loaded into the automated analysis system, a first alignment element attached to the chassis and a second alignment element attached to the holding structure. The first alignment element is configured to engage with the second alignment element to align the holding structure in a predetermined position relative to the chassis when the movable loading element is in the second position.