Centering unit for diagnostic laboratory transporting compartment
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Arnold, Fabian Wenzler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment is presented. The centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment comprises at least two arms with grippers for centering diagnostics laboratory transporting compartments of different diameters. For accurate and reliable centering of laboratory transporting compartments, the two arms are biased with a single elastic member. A laboratory system and a method for centering diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment and diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment holder are also disclosed.
Claims20
A centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment, the centering unit comprising:
- at least two hinged arms with grippers at each end portion, wherein the at least two hinged arms are mounted pivotally and opposite each other on a frame, wherein a vertical axis of a centering position is determined by a middle distance between the grippers;
- a first connector to which each of the other end portions of the hinged arms are connected pivotally, wherein the first connector is movably connected on a guiding element;
- a second connector, wherein the second connector and the first connector are resiliently connected to each other with an elastic member, wherein the second connector is movably connected on the guiding element;
- at least one rotatable third arm with an exposed end and a third gripper at the end opposite the exposed end, wherein the exposed end is positioned so that a rotation of the rotatable arm and movement of the third gripper away from the vertical axis of the centering position is triggered by engagement with one of the at least two hinged arms;
- and
- an actuator for moving the second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are connected to a common connector, wherein the common connector is connected movably on at least two guiding elements, Wherein the common connector is coupled to the actuator.
A centering unit for diagnostics laboratory transporting compartment, the centering unit comprising:
- at least two arms, wherein each of the at least two arms comprises a first arm member and a second arm member connected to each other pivotally with a joint, wherein in a middle region of the first arm member, each arm can be connected pivotally about a pivot point on each support part, wherein at an end portion opposite to the joint of each first arm member of the at least two arms, a gripper can be attached, wherein distance between the gripper and the pivot point of each arm can be identical, wherein a vertical axis of a centering position is determined by a middle distance between the grippers;
- a first connector to which each of the other end portions of the at least two arms are connected pivotally, wherein the first connector is movably connected on a guiding element;
- a second connector, wherein the second connector and the first connector are resiliently connected to each other with an elastic member, wherein the second connector is movably connected on the guiding element;
- at least one, rotatable third arm with an exposed end and a third gripper at the end opposite the exposed end, wherein the exposed end is positioned so that a rotation of the rotatable arm and movement of the third gripper away from the vertical axis of the centering position is triggered by engagement with one of the at least two arms;
- and
- an actuator for moving the second connector, wherein the first and second connectors are connected to a common connector, wherein the common connector is connected movably on at least two guiding elements, wherein the common connector is coupled to the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.