Laboratory Sample Container Handling with Position Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an apparatus and method of handling laboratory sample containers that ensures safe handling, particularly in ensuring the correct positioning of sample containers within racks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves moving a laboratory sample container to a target position where it can be inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack. The system applies forces in both horizontal and vertical directions to determine if the container moves beyond predetermined distances, and performs an error procedure if it exceeds these limits, thereby ensuring correct rack positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the laboratory sample container is moved to a target position for insertion into the rack, then the handling efficiency is improved, but the risk of positional deviation and handling errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a test force to the sample container and measures the actual displacement to determine if the rack is present and correctly positioned. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify positioning accuracy after movement, resolving the contradiction between high-speed handling and positioning reliability by providing post-movement verification without significantly increasing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary force application and displacement measurement before finalizing the insertion operation. By checking positional stability in advance through the test force method, the system can detect positioning errors early and correct them before completing the handling operation, thus maintaining both efficiency and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a force is applied to verify rack positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the risk of container displacement or damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system carefully controls the magnitude and direction of the test force applied to the sample container, using parameters that are sufficient to detect rack presence and positioning accuracy but small enough to prevent container displacement or damage. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between verification accuracy and container safety.
3Reliability
If the system checks for rack presence before insertion, then the handling safety is improved, but the handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the rack presence detection function with the sample container positioning verification function into a single integrated operation. By applying one test force and measuring one displacement value, the system simultaneously verifies both rack presence and positioning accuracy, thus maintaining handling safety while minimizing additional time consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling laboratory sample containers is presented. The method comprises moving a laboratory sample container to a target position. The target position is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position. The laboratory sample container is prevented from moving horizontally more than a predetermined horizontal distance if inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack. The method also comprises applying a force in a horizontal direction (xy) to the laboratory sample container, determining if the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance, and performing an error procedure if it is determined that the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance.