Multiple carousel carrier and carousel handling mechanism
First Claim
1. A sample handling apparatus for handling multiple trays of sample vials, comprising:
- a carrier mechanism having a first axis of rotation and comprising a tray carrier portion, a carrier actuator portion and a first interface portion interfacing said tray carrier portion into engagement with said carrier actuator portion, said tray carrier portion receiving said multiple trays and said actuator portion actuating said multiple trays substantially simultaneously in a rotary manner about said first axis of rotation; and
a tray drive proximate to said carrier mechanism, said tray drive having a tray actuator with a second axis of rotation, said tray actuator having a tray interface portion configured to engage with and disengage from, individually, each of said multiple trays in said tray carrier portion of said carrier mechanism and said tray interface configured to actuate each of said multiple trays individually about said second axis of rotation when engaged with an individual one of said multiple trays.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sample handling mechanism including a direct drive carrier for positioning multiple trays or carousels of sample vials and a direct drive carousel handling mechanism that eliminates pulleys and belts and the problems associated therewith. The carousels handled by the sample handling mechanism are individually identifiable, stackable and include a viewing area for identifying and viewing the individual sample vials grouped in a respective carousel. The sample handling mechanism consists of two logical drive modules. A single center line or axis of rotation is effected in each of the drive modules. The two logical drive modules include a carrier mechanism that transports a plurality of sample carousels to a sampling station, and a carousel drive mechanism which engages a single carousel and presents the appropriate vial to be sampled. The carrier mechanism includes a multi-position spoke-like carrier portion that is driven by a single drive shaft coupled to a gear reduction stepper motor by a coupling. The carousel drive mechanism includes a linear actuator portion and a rotary actuator portion on a common center line or axis. The linear actuator portion effects engagement and disengagement of the rotary actuator portion with a properly positioned carousel, and includes a linear actuator stepper motor with a motor shaft attached to a lift housing. The lift housing holds the rotary actuator portion.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A sample handling apparatus for handling multiple trays of sample vials, comprising:
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a carrier mechanism having a first axis of rotation and comprising a tray carrier portion, a carrier actuator portion and a first interface portion interfacing said tray carrier portion into engagement with said carrier actuator portion, said tray carrier portion receiving said multiple trays and said actuator portion actuating said multiple trays substantially simultaneously in a rotary manner about said first axis of rotation; and a tray drive proximate to said carrier mechanism, said tray drive having a tray actuator with a second axis of rotation, said tray actuator having a tray interface portion configured to engage with and disengage from, individually, each of said multiple trays in said tray carrier portion of said carrier mechanism and said tray interface configured to actuate each of said multiple trays individually about said second axis of rotation when engaged with an individual one of said multiple trays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A tray carrier mechanism having a first axis of rotation about which a plurality of trays are rotated, comprising:
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a tray carrier portion receiving said plurality of trays, said tray carrier portion including an engagement housing on said tray carrier portion including a pin disposed therethrough and a spring biasing said pin; a carrier actuator portion actuating said plurality of trays substantially simultaneously in a rotary manner about said first axis of rotation, said carrier actuator portion including a carrier drive shaft having a slot disposed in an end thereof, wherein said tray carrier portion is interfaced to said carrier actuator portion by said pin being biased into engagement with said slot.
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17. A tray drive mechanism comprising:
- a linear actuator and a rotary actuator having a shaft with a first end and a second end and defining an axis of rotation, said second end of said shaft having a tray interface portion disposed thereat for periodically interfacing with a tray to be driven, said linear actuator being configured to linearly actuate said rotary actuator along said axis of rotation between a first position in which said tray interface portion engages said tray to be driven and a second position in which said tray interface portion is disengaged from said tray to be driven, said rotary actuator configured to effect rotation of said tray about said axis of rotation when in said first position.
Specification