Laboratory Vessel Conveying Device Segmented Actuator Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor devices for laboratory vessels lack precise positioning, leading to inaccurate results and time-consuming corrective movements due to multi-axis actuator limitations, resulting in suboptimal alignment with analysis devices.
Innovation Solution
Employing multiple serially arranged actuators for precise translational movements along individual axes, combined with a centering device and position sensors, to ensure accurate alignment and handling of laboratory vessels, reducing the need for corrective movements and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single multi-axis actuator is used to convey the laboratory vessel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single multi-axis actuator is segmented into multiple individual actuators, each responsible for a specific movement axis. The first actuator handles vertical movement along the z-axis, the second actuator handles horizontal movement along the x-axis, and the third actuator handles horizontal movement along the y-axis. This segmentation allows each actuator to specialize in one degree of freedom, thereby improving positioning precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple axes of movement are implemented, then the conveying capability is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each movement axis is assigned to a separate actuator, allowing independent optimization of each axis for both conveying capability and positioning precision. The segmented architecture enables the system to achieve multi-axis conveying versatility while maintaining high precision on each individual axis through dedicated actuators with optimized mechanical structures and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary centering of the laboratory vessel using the first actuator before the final positioning operations. This preliminary action ensures that the vessel is properly aligned and centered on the support, providing a stable baseline for subsequent precise positioning movements by the second and third actuators, thereby maintaining high positioning precision throughout the multi-axis conveying process.
3Manufacturing precision
If corrective movements are performed in the staging area, then the alignment with the analysis device is improved, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary centering and alignment operations during the conveying process itself, using the first actuator to center the vessel vertically and the second and third actuators to position it horizontally before reaching the staging area. This preliminary action ensures that when the vessel arrives at the staging area, it is already precisely aligned with the analysis device, eliminating or minimizing the need for corrective movements and thereby maintaining high analysis throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system itself performs the alignment function as an integrated part of the conveying process, rather than requiring a separate correction step. The multiple actuators work cooperatively to automatically center and position the laboratory vessel during transit, making the system self-aligning and eliminating downtime for corrective operations at the staging area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a conveying device (10) for positioning and providing laboratory vessels (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) for nutrient media, samples, microorganisms, cell cultures, or the like for analysis, sample preparation, and/or sample manipulation at an associated apparatus (64), comprising at least one first conveying unit (32) for conveying the laboratory vessels (12) between an initial region (30) and a provision region (60), where the laboratory vessel (12) is held for the analysis or preparation. According to the invention, a plurality of conveying units is present, which perform only a translational motion of the laboratory vessel (12) along an axis, wherein the first conveying unit (32) vertically conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the initial region (30) to a predetermined height region (50) and vice versa, and a second conveying unit (56) is provided, which horizontally conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the height region (50) to the provision region and vice versa.