Laboratory Carrier Transport Deadlock Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex laboratory sample distribution systems face challenges in efficiently determining routes for carriers, which can lead to deadlock situations, disrupting sample distribution and reducing system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for operating a laboratory sample distribution system that includes a transport plane with interconnected modules and a driving device to control carrier movement along individual routes. The system prevents deadlock arrangements by reserving route segments and using non-reserve flags to manage carrier movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex transport systems are designed with multiple carriers and routes, then the system capacity and flexibility are improved, but deadlock situations occur more frequently disrupting sample distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating routes during initialization and pre-assigning carriers to specific routes. This preliminary planning prevents deadlock situations from occurring during operation, as carriers follow predetermined paths that avoid conflicts. The route calculation is done in advance based on transfer locations and system state, ensuring deadlock-free operation while maintaining high system capacity.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed routes are defined via hardware design and electronics, then the system is simpler to implement, but the system cannot adapt to complex transport requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed routes to dynamic route assignment. Routes are no longer hard-coded in hardware or electronics but are dynamically calculated and assigned based on current system state, transfer locations, and carrier positions. This dynamic approach maintains implementation simplicity through software-based control while providing full adaptability to complex transport requirements and changing conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual route design by laboratory designers is used, then the system is easier to design initially, but the system reaches its limits in complex transport scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated route calculation. Instead of relying on manual design by laboratory designers, the system automatically calculates optimal routes based on transfer locations, carrier positions, and system state. This automated self-service approach maintains ease of initial design while dramatically improving the system's ability to handle complex transport scenarios and scaling to higher productivity levels.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system having: a plurality of carriers (4) having a number of n (n>3) carriers (4) each configured to carry one or more sample containers containing a sample to be analyzed by laboratory devices (3); a transport plane (1) configured to support to the plurality of carriers (4), wherein the transport plane (1) comprises a plurality of interconnected transport modules comprising a plurality of plane fields (5); and a driving device (13) configured to control movement of the plurality of carriers (4) along individual routes between the plurality of plane fields (5). The method comprises: moving the plurality of carriers (4) along the individual routes on the transport plane (1), wherein the moving, for each carrier, comprises executing at least once steps of reserving a route segment along the individual route, the route segment being provided by one or more plane fields of the plurality of plane fields (5), and moving the carrier (4) along the route segment; and preventing, for the plurality of carriers (4), a deadlock arrangement on the transport plane in which the plurality of carriers (4) block each other from further movement along the individual routes (6). The preventing is further comprising: determining, at a present operation time, a potential deadlock arrangement for the plurality of carriers (4) on the transport plane (1) at a future operation time, wherein the potential deadlock arrangement is assigned a number of n deadlock plane fields occupied by the plurality of carriers (4) in case of the potential deadlock arrangement; for a first carrier from the plurality of carriers (4) moving along a first individual route, reserving a first route segment ending with a first end plane field; and assigning a non-reserve flag to a next plane field which is next to the first end plane field along the first individual route. Further, a laboratory sample distribution system, and a laboratory automation system are provided.