Laboratory product transport element and path arrangement
First Claim
1. A laboratory product transport element comprising:
- an energy source to furnish drive power;
at least one signal receiver to receive control signals;
a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one receiver;
at least one movement device, with which the laboratory product transport element can move independently on a transfer path;
at least one drive device to drive the at least one movement device as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, the at least one drive device being driven by the drive power; and
at least one holder to hold a laboratory product to be transported;
one or more collision sensors in communication with the control unit;
one or more line following sensors in communication with the control unit;
one or more near-field communication devices in communication with the control unit; and
a memory unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the memory unit comprises code executable by the control unit to implement a method comprising;
controlling the movement of the laboratory product transport element utilizing signals from at least the collision sensors, the line following sensors, or the near-field communication devices,wherein controlling the movement of the laboratory product transport element from signals from at least the collision sensors, the line following sensors, or the near field communication devices comprises receiving one or more signals from one or more near-field communication devices located at one or more positions of a transfer path arrangement.
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Abstract
The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.
99 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A laboratory product transport element comprising:
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an energy source to furnish drive power; at least one signal receiver to receive control signals; a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one receiver; at least one movement device, with which the laboratory product transport element can move independently on a transfer path; at least one drive device to drive the at least one movement device as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, the at least one drive device being driven by the drive power; and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product to be transported; one or more collision sensors in communication with the control unit; one or more line following sensors in communication with the control unit; one or more near-field communication devices in communication with the control unit; and a memory unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the memory unit comprises code executable by the control unit to implement a method comprising; controlling the movement of the laboratory product transport element utilizing signals from at least the collision sensors, the line following sensors, or the near-field communication devices, wherein controlling the movement of the laboratory product transport element from signals from at least the collision sensors, the line following sensors, or the near field communication devices comprises receiving one or more signals from one or more near-field communication devices located at one or more positions of a transfer path arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A laboratory product transport element comprising:
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an energy source to furnish drive power; at least one signal receiver to receive control signals; a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one receiver; at least one movement device, with which the laboratory product transport element can move independently on a transfer path; at least one drive device to drive the at least one movement device as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, the at least one drive device being driven by the drive power; and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product to be transported; and further comprising a memory unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the memory unit comprises code executable by the control unit to implement a method comprising; minimizing energy consumption by the laboratory product transport element, wherein minimizing energy consumption comprises controlling the movement of the laboratory product transport element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification