Laboratory sample distribution system and laboratory automation system
First Claim
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1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
- a plurality of sample container carriers to carry one or more sample containers;
a transport surface to support the sample container carriers;
a movement device to move the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein the movement device comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators arranged stationary below the transport surface, the electro-magnetic actuators move the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface by applying a magnetic force to the sample container carriers;
a control device programmed to control the movement of the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface by controlling the movement device such that the sample container carriers move along corresponding transport paths;
a recovery device, wherein the recovery device comprises;
a handler to handle a sample container carrier or a sample container, wherein the handler comprises a crane device comprising a claw, the handler positionable over a sample container carrier and/or a sample container to grab and collect the sample container carrier and/or the sample container, anda drive to move the recovery device on top of the transport surface, wherein the drive comprises at least one magnetically active element adapted to interact with at least one electro-magnetic actuator of the movement device such that a magnetic drive force is applied to the recovery device, and wherein the transport surface supports the recovery device; and
wherein the control device is programmed to control the movement of the recovery device on top of the transport surface by controlling the at least one electro-magnetic actuator of the movement device to apply the magnetic drive force to the magnetically active element of the recovery device.
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Abstract
A laboratory sample distribution system having a recovery device and a laboratory automation system having such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented. The recovery device is adapted to manipulate items such as sample container carriers or sample containers on a transport plane of the laboratory sample distribution system in the case of an error condition.
170 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of sample container carriers to carry one or more sample containers; a transport surface to support the sample container carriers; a movement device to move the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein the movement device comprises a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators arranged stationary below the transport surface, the electro-magnetic actuators move the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface by applying a magnetic force to the sample container carriers; a control device programmed to control the movement of the sample container carriers on top of the transport surface by controlling the movement device such that the sample container carriers move along corresponding transport paths; a recovery device, wherein the recovery device comprises; a handler to handle a sample container carrier or a sample container, wherein the handler comprises a crane device comprising a claw, the handler positionable over a sample container carrier and/or a sample container to grab and collect the sample container carrier and/or the sample container, and a drive to move the recovery device on top of the transport surface, wherein the drive comprises at least one magnetically active element adapted to interact with at least one electro-magnetic actuator of the movement device such that a magnetic drive force is applied to the recovery device, and wherein the transport surface supports the recovery device; and wherein the control device is programmed to control the movement of the recovery device on top of the transport surface by controlling the at least one electro-magnetic actuator of the movement device to apply the magnetic drive force to the magnetically active element of the recovery device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification