Laboratory Sample Tube Rack Handling System with Tilt Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laboratory systems for handling sample tube racks lack efficient automated solutions for storing, retrieving, and disposing of sample tubes, particularly in managing storage racks and ensuring proper disposal without tubes falling outside the waste container.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory system with a storage section, robotic transfer system, and disposal unit that includes a coupling element for height adjustment and a tilt module for automated disposal, ensuring proper insertion and retraction of storage racks and ensuring sample tubes fall into a waste container using a deflector plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated procedures are used for handling sample tubes, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a robotic transfer system with a robotic arm for rack handling, a separate disposal unit with tilt mechanism for tube disposal, and a storage section with shelves. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall system manageable and maintainable.
2Loss of time
If storage racks are automatically retrieved and disposed, then loss of time is reduced, but reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the presence of sample tubes in storage racks and monitor the disposal process. The control unit receives feedback from these sensors to determine when racks need to be retrieved and to verify successful tube disposal, ensuring reliable automated operation and enabling timely interventions if issues arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors storage racks for tubes approaching expiration and automatically retrieves and disposes of them before they expire. This preliminary action prevents loss of samples and ensures continuous reliability of the testing process without requiring manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tilt module is used for disposal, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector plate is positioned between the tilt module and the waste container to act as an intermediary. When the tilt module tilts the storage rack to dispose of tubes, the deflector plate ensures that tubes are directed into the waste container and prevents them from falling outside, thereby eliminating spillage without requiring a complex enclosed disposal chamber.
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 enables efficient storage, retrieval, and disposal of sample tubes, preventing tubes from falling outside the waste container and ensuring accurate tracking and handling of sample tubes through barcode analysis and robotic handling.
Implementation Method 1
a barcode reader being integrated into the robotic transfer system and being designed to read a barcode on a storage rack
Implementation Method 2
a tilt module with a rack park position positioned above a waste container. The tilt module is designed to tilt over the rack park position when loaded with a rack by the conveying system such that sample tubes contained in the rack fall into the waste container below
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and laboratory system for handling sample tube racks are disclosed. The laboratory system comprises a storage section (14) with a plurality of shelves (110) for storing a plurality of storage racks (SR), a disposal unit (18) for disposing sample tubes from the storage racks (SR), a robotic transfer system (510) for loading storage racks (SR) into the storage section (14), for retrieving storage racks (SR) from the storing section (14) and for bringing storage rack to the disposal unit (18) after a given storage time has elapsed.