Gravity-Based Transport Device for Lab Vessel Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated sample testing systems face high installation and maintenance costs due to the use of inclined conveyor belts for transporting laboratory diagnostic vessel carriers between levels, which are based on wearing constructional members.
Innovation Solution
A transporting device comprising a first and second transporting portion, configured to connect to the respective line portions of a conveying line, allowing the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier to be transported by gravity, eliminating the need for conveyor belts and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inclined conveyor belts are used to transport vessel carriers from higher level to lower level, then the transport function is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase significantly due to wearing constructional members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conveyor belt system from the transport mechanism and replaces it with a gravity-based transport device. The vessel carrier is designed to slide along inclined guides using gravity, eliminating the need for motorized conveyor belts and their associated wearing components, thereby significantly reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining reliable transport function
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device utilizes the weight of the vessel carrier itself to drive the transport process. The inclined guides are positioned and angled such that gravity naturally propels the carrier from the higher level to the lower level without requiring external power sources or moving mechanical components, making the system self-service and maintenance-free
2Reliability
If inclined conveyor belts are used for transport, then vessel carrier transport between levels is enabled, but the system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex motorized conveyor belt system and replaces it with simple inclined guides that utilize gravity. This extraction of the complex mechanical drive system while retaining the essential transport capability through gravitational force on the vessel carrier significantly reduces device complexity and operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical conveyor belt system with a gravity-based transport mechanism. The inclined guides create a gravitational force component that propels the vessel carrier along the transport path, substituting complex mechanical drive systems with a simpler gravity-based mechanism that maintains transport reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a cost-effective and maintenance-free transport of laboratory diagnostic vessel carriers from a higher level to a lower level within the conveying line, improving efficiency and reducing operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The first transporting portion and the second transporting portion can be configured to transport the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A transporting device for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier from a first line portion to a second line portion of a conveying line is disclosed. The first line portion is above the second line portion with respect to gravity. The transporting device comprises first and second transporting portions. The first transporting portion is connected to the first line portion and the second transporting portion is connected to the second line portion. The first transporting portion extends in a first direction and the second transporting portion extends in a second direction different from the first direction. The first and second transporting portions transport the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier by gravity. The first direction comprises at least a first component and the second direction comprises at least a second component. The second component is opposite to the first component. Further, a conveying line comprising such a transporting device is disclosed.