Positioning device for a laboratory apparatus for the distribution of fluid samples, laboratory attaratus with a positioning device and positioning method

Laboratory apparatus for the distribution of fluid samples comprising at least one positioning device,

• the positioning device comprising:
• a base member,
• a first part, which comprises a holding device for holding a transport device for transporting the fluid samples to a target position at which the fluid samples are dispensed from the transport device to the at least one sample container element, the first part being arranged at the base member for carrying out at least one operation movement,
• a second part comprising a sample container holder, which is set up to hold the at least one sample container element, the second part being arranged at the base member,
• the first part and the second part being arranged movable relative to one another for carrying out at least one positioning movement and adapted to be arranged in relative positions,
• a coupling device for coupling the operation movement and the positioning movement,
• the coupling device being configured such that the relative positions of the first part and second part can be stepwise changed by way of repeating the operation movement, one operation movement moving the first and second parts starting out from an n-th relative position to the (n+1)th relative position and another operation movement moving the first and the second part starting out from the (n+1)th relative position to the (n+2)th relative position;
• wherein the coupling device comprises at least one mechanically acting coupling means for coupling the operation movement and the positioning movement to cause stepwise changes to the relative position;
• characterized in that
• the second part is arranged to be movable relative to the base member and that the at least one coupling means comprises at least one first coupling means arranged to be movable relative to the sample container holder by means of the operation movement, and comprises at least one second coupling means which is arranged to be immovable relative to the sample container holder, and wherein the coupling device is set up such that the operation movement causes a coupling movement of the at least one first coupling means and that said coupling movement mechanically interacts with the second coupling means for changing the relative position by one step of a predetermined increment.