Sample Tube Rack With Guiding Elements And Clearances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample tube racks with closed top surfaces hinder precise positioning and handling of sample tubes, leading to incorrect placement and potential crashes during transport, affecting downstream handling in automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A sample tube rack design featuring guiding elements and clearances on the bottom surface allows gripper fingers to move partially into the rack, enabling precise positioning and alignment of sample tubes at predefined depths and heights, facilitating correct handling and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a closed top surface is used in conventional sample tube racks, then structural integrity is maintained, but precise positioning and handling of sample tubes is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The closed top surface is segmented by introducing openings that create clearances between guiding elements. This segmentation allows gripper fingers to access the interior volume for precise tube positioning while maintaining the overall rack structure. The top surface is divided into multiple functional zones: solid regions for structural support and openings for operational access.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper fingers are designed to nest partially into the rack structure through the openings. The fingers can move into the interior volume defined by the guiding elements and openings, allowing precise positioning of sample tubes without requiring the gripper to fully penetrate the structure. This nested arrangement enables precise handling while maintaining structural integrity.
2Measurement precision
If guiding elements are added to enable precise positioning, then sample tube alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Guiding elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the rack to provide alignment functions only where needed. Rather than making the entire structure complex, guiding elements are localized features that extend from the top surface into the openings, creating clearance zones that guide tube placement at critical positions while leaving other areas simple and open for gripper access.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding elements act as intermediary structures between the rack body and the sample tubes. These elements provide the necessary alignment and positioning functions by creating clearance zones that guide the tubes into correct positions, mediating between the structural requirements of the rack and the positioning requirements of the tubes without requiring direct complex interaction between the gripper and rack structure.
3Ease of operation
If clearances are created for gripper access, then handling efficiency is improved, but structural integrity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface is segmented into openings and solid regions, creating clearances that allow gripper fingers to access the interior volume for efficient tube handling. These segmented openings are strategically positioned to provide necessary access while the remaining solid regions maintain structural integrity. The segmentation allows the structure to be optimized for both operational access and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural properties are made non-uniform through local quality variations: regions with openings have lower structural density to allow gripper access, while regions with guiding elements and solid material provide higher structural strength where needed. This localized differentiation of structural quality allows clearances for handling efficiency while maintaining overall structural integrity through strategically reinforced areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample tube rack (10) for receiving at least one sample tube is provided, comprising: a bottom surface (12) comprising at least one opening (14) for receiving the sample tube, and at least two guiding elements (16, 16′, 16a-d) arranged on the bottom surface (12) adjacent to the opening (14), wherein each guiding element (16, 16′, 16a-d) extends substantially parallel to a vertical axis (18) of the opening (14) from the bottom surface (12) towards a top side (20) of the sample tube rack (10). The guiding elements (16, 16′, 16a-d) are arranged at different positions (17a-d) around the opening (14), such that a tube compartment (24) for receiving the sample tube is formed by the guiding elements (16, 16′, 16a-d) and the opening (14), wherein the guiding elements (16, 16′, 16a-d) are spaced apart from each other along a perimeter (21) of the opening (14), thereby forming at least two clearances (22) between the guiding elements (16, 16′, 16a-d) along the perimeter (21) of the opening (14).