Sample Rack Handling Unit With Inclined Onload Rail
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample rack handling units for analytical instruments are large, bulky, and complex, limiting flexibility and causing delays in retesting or prioritizing samples due to their linear transportation paths and engagement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A sample rack handling unit with a rack onload section featuring an inclined onload rail that allows sideway engagement and disengagement, enabling racks to be loaded or removed at any position, facilitating flexible and efficient handling, and incorporating a compact, ergonomic design for manual or automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a linear transportation path with bottom engagement is used, then the system is compact and simple, but the flexibility in loading/unloading racks and repositioning samples is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bottom engagement (vertical dimension) to side engagement (horizontal dimension). The rack is engaged at its side wall rather than bottom, allowing lateral insertion and removal. This dimensional change enables flexible loading/unloading at any position along the transportation path without requiring complex robotic arms or multiple engagement points, thus improving adaptability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If robotic arms and grippers are used for rack handling, then random access and flexibility are improved, but the system becomes large, bulky, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex robotic arm and gripper mechanisms from the system and replaces them with a simple side-engagement rail mechanism. The rail allows racks to be freely inserted and removed at any position along the transportation path without requiring active manipulation devices. This extraction eliminates the bulky robotic components while retaining random access capability, thus reducing system size while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If a dedicated onload section for priority samples is created, then priority handling is improved, but the system becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where racks can be loaded, unloaded, or repositioned at any location along the transportation path rather than being confined to dedicated sections. This dynamic flexibility allows priority samples to be handled by simply positioning their racks at appropriate locations along the continuous rail, eliminating the need for physically separate priority sections and reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sample rack handling unit (100) comprising a rack onload section (10) for loading one or more sample racks (60) holding at least one sample container (62). The rack onload section (10) comprising a rack onload edge (13) and a rack receiving area (12) with an onload rail (11) longitudinally arranged on the rack receiving area (12) parallel to the rack onload edge (13). The onload rail (11) is engageable with a recess (61) located at the bottom of a rack (60) such that the rack (60) is longitudinally slidable on the rack receiving area (12) along the onload rail (11) when the rack (60) is engaged. The onload rail (11) has a cross-section comprising a wedged or substantially triangular base portion and a protrusion (11') extending from the base portion, wherein the protrusion faces the rack onload edge (13) and the base portion comprises an inclined onload rail side (11") arranged opposite to the rack onload edge (13), such that the recess (61) is engageable with the onload rail (11) when the rack (60) is loaded on the rack receiving area (12) from the rack onload edge (13) in a direction transverse to the onload rail (11) and the recess (61) is disengeagable from the onload rail (11) by sliding the rack (60) in the direction of the rack onload edge (13).