Modular Transport Modules for Scalable Lab Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory sample distribution systems lack scalability and modularity, making it difficult to efficiently address and communicate with multiple transport modules in a flexible and scalable manner.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a gateway with network interfaces and transport modules with controllable drive means, where each module has left, right, upper, and lower network interfaces to form a common transport surface, allowing for individual addressing and communication through a method that assigns unique column and row counters as addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transport modules are arranged to form a common transport surface, then the system capacity and sample throughput are improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of addressing individual modules increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent transport modules (2 to 1000 modules) that can be arranged in rows and columns to form a common transport surface. Each module operates independently with its own control device, allowing the system to scale from 2 to 2000 carriers without requiring complete system redesign. This segmentation enables incremental capacity expansion while maintaining manageable module-level complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transport module is equipped with an individual address (row and column identifiers) that enables self-identification and autonomous response to control commands. The control device within each module automatically manages local carrier movement based on received instructions, eliminating the need for centralized control of every individual component and reducing overall system management complexity.
2Ease of operation
If individual addressing of transport modules is implemented, then the ease of operation and communication with specific modules is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional addressing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
A universal addressing scheme using row and column identifiers (e.g., A1, A2, B1, B2) is implemented across all transport modules. This standardized addressing method works consistently regardless of the number of modules or their arrangement configuration, enabling the gateway to communicate with any module using the same protocol. The addressing infrastructure remains simple and scalable, avoiding the need for complex unique identification systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to be highly scalable, then the adaptability to different laboratory configurations is improved, but the initial system complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is designed to dynamically adapt to different configurations by allowing transport modules to be added, removed, or rearranged in rows and columns. The gateway automatically adjusts to the current system state, and control commands are dynamically routed based on the actual module positions and addresses. This dynamic design enables the system to scale from 2 to 2000 carriers without requiring static pre-configuration for maximum capacity.
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
Enables a highly scalable and modular laboratory automation system that can efficiently transport samples between pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical stations, with each transport module being addressed uniquely for effective communication and movement control.
Implementation Method 1
controllable drive means being arranged below the transport surface of a respective transport module and being adapted to move sample container carriers on the transport surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system (100), the laboratory sample distribution system (100) comprising: a number of sample container carriers (140), a gateway (150) having a network interface (151), and a number of transport modules (120_1 to 120_n), wherein each transport module (120_1 to 120_n) comprises: a transport surface (121), wherein the transport modules (120_1 to 120_n) are arrangeable adjacent to one another in a row-direction (x) and in a column-direction (y) such that the transport surfaces (121) of the transport modules (120_1 to 120_n) together form a common transport surface (110), controllable drive means (122) being arranged below the transport surface (121) and being adapted to move sample container carriers (140) on the transport surface (121), a left network interface (126), a right network interface (127), an upper network interface (128), and a lower network interface (129), wherein the left network interfaces (126) and the right network interfaces (127) are adapted to connect transport modules (120_1 to 120_n) arranged adjacent to one another in the row-direction (x) and the upper network interfaces (128) and the lower network interfaces (129) are adapted to connect transport modules (120_1 to 120_n) arranged adjacent to one another in the column-direction (y), wherein the network interface (151) of the gateway (150) is connected to a network interface (126) of a first transport module (120_1), the method comprising the steps: sending an explore command from the gateway (150) to the first transport module (120_1), propagating an initialization command from the first transport module (120_1) to the remaining transport modules (120_2 to 120_n) from transport module (120_1 to 120_n) to transport module (120_1 to 120_n), storing addresses within the transport modules (120_1 to 120_n), wherein a stored address of a respective transport module (120_1 to 120_n) corresponds to a column (C0 to C6) and to a row (R0 to R8) in which the corresponding transport module (120_1 to 120_n) is positioned, and using the addresses by the gateway (150) to address the transport modules (120_1 to 120_n).