Autonomous Sample Cart Transport for High-Throughput Lab Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample transport systems in medical and chemical analysis laboratories are limited by low transport speed, high maintenance requirements, and susceptibility to failures, which restrict throughput and lead to economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A transport system featuring self-propelled trolleys with electric motor-driven wheels, capacitors for energy storage, and optical communication, allowing for high-speed navigation and reduced maintenance needs, with capacitors enabling efficient energy replenishment and minimizing mechanical components prone to failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional mechanical transport systems are used, then sample transport can be achieved, but transport speed is limited and maintenance requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive systems with magnetic field-based propulsion. Transport carts equipped with magnets interact with magnetic tracks to achieve movement without mechanical contact, eliminating wear and maintenance issues associated with mechanical systems while enabling higher speeds up to 100 cm/s
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs air bearing technology where air cushions lift transport carts from the track surface, creating frictionless contactless support. This pneumatic approach eliminates mechanical friction and wear, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while enabling smoother, faster transport
2Productivity
If automated sample transport is implemented, then throughput increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Transport carts are equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including onboard sensors, controllers, and communication systems that enable them to independently follow magnetic tracks, navigate junctions, and manage their own propulsion without complex external control infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic track system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides cart movement through magnetic field patterns, transmits power magnetically, and enables communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and lowers overall complexity
3Reliability
If contactless magnetic transport is used, then maintenance is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic propulsion system operates in periodic cycles, generating magnetic fields only when carts are actively accelerating or maintaining speed, rather than continuous operation. This periodic activation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable transport
Solution Approach 2:
The air bearing system creates a uniform magnetic field distribution along the track, ensuring consistent energy efficiency throughout the transport path. The contactless magnetic coupling maintains optimal energy transfer efficiency while minimizing losses
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 achieves high throughput and reduced maintenance costs by enabling efficient sample transport with minimal mechanical failures, ensuring continuous laboratory operations and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The transport cart has electric motor-driven wheels
Implementation Method 2
an electrical energy storage device, in particular a capacitor, for storing electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A transport system (1) for transporting samples in a medical and/or chemical analysis laboratory is disclosed, comprising a transport track (3) defining the route and at least one self-propelled transport cart (2) equipped for movement along the route on the transport track (3) and having a receptacle for a sample to be transported, wherein the transport cart (2) has electrically driven wheels, an electrical energy storage device for providing electrical energy for the electrical drive of the wheels, and a control system for the electrical drive.In a particular embodiment of the invention, the transport carriage (2) has four wheels, each of which is placed in an arrangement of two axles aligned parallel to each other, the wheels of a first axle being driven, the wheels of a second axle not being driven, and the wheels of the driven axle each being connected to their own electric motor drive and being driven by this motor at a rotational speed that can be individually specified by the control system, wherein longitudinal grooves (4) are guided along the travel paths in the transport track (3) and a guide projection (5) projecting from the underside of the transport carriage (2), designed to engage in the longitudinal grooves (4), is formed.