Rotatable Sample Carrier With Magnetic Lock For Barcode Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laboratory sample container transport systems face challenges in aligning barcodes on sample containers without physically removing them from holders, which can lead to sample spillage and cross-contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A laboratory sample container carrier with a rotatable sample container holder and a magnetic lock that allows for gripperless rotational alignment of sample containers, enabling barcode alignment without physically removing the containers from the holders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a gripping device is used to part the laboratory sample container from the sample container holder for alignment, then the barcode can be aligned with the bar code reader, but the risk of sample spillage and cross-contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarcode alignment precisionVSAvoidsample spillage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the alignment function from the gripping function. The sample container holder is equipped with a rotation drive that can independently rotate the holder to align the barcode, while the gripping device only needs to hold the container without releasing it. This segmentation eliminates the need to part the container from the holder for alignment purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sample container holder is pre-equipped with a rotation drive mechanism that enables alignment to be performed before the container is parted from the holder. The barcode alignment is achieved through rotational adjustment of the holder itself, allowing the container to remain securely held throughout the alignment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the sample container holder is non-rotationally mounted to the conveyor belt, then the transport system is simpler, but the barcode cannot be aligned without parting the container from the holder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidbarcode alignment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sample container holder is designed with a rotation drive that enables it to rotate relative to the conveyor belt during transport. This dynamic capability allows the barcode to be aligned with the bar code reader at specific positions along the conveyor, while the holder remains non-rotationally mounted to the conveyor belt structure itself, maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the laboratory sample container is held axially in the sample container holder, then the container is securely positioned, but rotational alignment becomes difficult without releasing the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer positioning stabilityVSAvoidrotational alignment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation drive acts as an intermediary mechanism between the conveyor belt and the sample container holder. It enables rotational alignment of the holder (and thus the axially held container) without requiring the container to be released from its secure axial position in the holder. The rotation drive mediates the rotational movement while the gripping device maintains axial containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution reduces the risk of sample spillage and cross-contamination by allowing for precise rotational alignment of sample containers within the transport system, thereby enhancing processing efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The laboratory sample container carrier comprises a magnetic lock for rotation-locking the sample container holder to the carrier base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic lock: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4567430A1Laboratory sample container carrier, laboratory sample container transport device, laboratory sample container alignment station, and laboratory sample container transport system

Publication Date: 2025.06.11 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a laboratory sample container carrier (1) for a laboratory sample container transport device (20), the laboratory sample container carrier (1) comprising a sample container holder (2), the sample container holder (2) being adapted to accept a laboratory sample container (T) at least partially or only partially, a carrier base (3) for rotatably bearing the sample container holder (2), and a magnetic lock (4) for rotation-locking the sample container holder (2) relative to the carrier base (3), the magnetic lock (4) being controllable dependent on an external magnetic control field.