Magnetic Laboratory Transport Element Reducing Mechanical Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laboratory transport systems are complex, space-intensive, and prone to shutdowns due to mechanical and electronic failures, limiting flexibility and efficiency in transporting samples between processing stations.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled laboratory product transport system with energy sources and control units that allow independent movement on a transfer path, using electromagnetic induction for power and real-time control, reducing reliance on mechanical conveyors and enhancing flexibility and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chain or belt conveyor systems are used to transport laboratory products, then the transport path can be defined and products moved between stations, but the system becomes mechanically complex and space-intensive with large drive systems that preclude adjacent conveyor placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical chain or belt conveyor systems with a magnetic field-based transport system. Magnets mounted on the transport cart interact with a moving pathway containing magnetic elements, eliminating the need for complex mechanical drives, chains, and belts. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable transport functionality between laboratory stations.
2Power
If conventional conveyor systems with large drive systems are used, then transport can be achieved, but the drives protrude laterally beyond the transport geometry, preventing placement of a second conveyor adjacent to the first
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based system replaces bulky mechanical drive systems with compact magnets mounted on the transport cart. The moving pathway contains magnetic elements that interact with these magnets, providing propulsion without lateral protrusions. This enables adjacent conveyors to be placed next to each other, significantly reducing the system footprint while maintaining adequate transport power.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional magnetic transport systems with complicated mechanisms for moving magnets are used, then transport along a pre-determined path is achieved, but the mechanisms are complex and require large areas underneath or adjacent to the puck path
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving magnets along a fixed pathway as in conventional systems, this invention inverts the approach by mounting magnets on the transport cart itself. The cart carries its own magnetic field source, interacting with magnetic elements distributed along the moving pathway. This eliminates the need for complicated mechanisms to move magnets, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining path flexibility through strategic placement of magnetic elements.
4Speed
If chain or belt conveyor systems are used, then transport along defined paths is possible, but large areas are not usable for transport at deflections of the chain/belt, making it difficult to implement branching at right angles
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based system replaces chain or belt conveyors with flexible magnetic element placement along the pathway. Magnets on the transport cart interact with these elements regardless of path geometry, enabling smooth deflections and right-angle branching without dead spaces. This maintains transport speed while significantly improving adaptability for complex path configurations with multiple branches and turns.
5Productivity
If conventional conveyor systems are used, then samples can be transported between stations, but during change of puck from one chain or belt to another, large vibration occurs which is not tolerable for many sample materials
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based system replaces mechanical chain or belt transfers with smooth magnetic interaction along a continuous pathway. The magnets on the transport cart interact with magnetic elements that can be arranged to guide the cart smoothly through transfers and direction changes. This eliminates the large vibrations and shocks associated with mechanical conveyor transfers, protecting sensitive sample materials while maintaining transport efficiency.
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 system provides a reliable, flexible, and space-efficient means of transporting laboratory products, minimizing downtime and enabling efficient navigation between processing stations with reduced mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The laboratory product transport element (30) is self-propelled. The laboratory product transport element (30) includes an energy source (44) to furnish drive power
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.