Multi-axial positioning mechanism for a FIMS system port door
View Patent ↗A multi-axial positioning system of unitary construction design selectively moves a port door along two transverse paths of travel toward and away from the aperture of a port plate. The positioning system includes a link carriage operatively connected to a drive mechanism that moves a drive carriage along a first travel path. A pivot link structure causes the link and drive carriages to move in unison for a distance along the first travel path. A guide prevents the link carriage from moving past a location along the first travel path, and, in response, the pivot link pivotally moves to cause the link carriage to move along a second travel path and thereby move the port door toward or away from the port plate aperture, depending on the direction of movement of the drive carriage along the first travel path relative to the link carriage.
1. In a specimen processing system configured to support a transport box in which one or more specimens are stored, the box comprising a box cover having an opening that provides access to specimens stored or to store specimens in the box, and a removable box door that opens and closes the opening of the box, a box load interface comprising;
a retractable port door attachable to the box door to selectively move the box door toward or away from the box cover to thereby close or open it;
a port plate having a port plate aperture through which the box door can move as the port door moves the box door toward or away from the box cover; and
a port door multi-axial positioning mechanism for selectively moving the port door toward or away from the port plate aperture along first and second transverse paths of travel, the positioning mechanism including:
a link carriage operatively connected to the port door and to a drive mechanism that moves a drive carriage along the first travel path relative to a spatial reference datum;
a pivot-link structure including a pivot link pivotally mounted at opposite ends to the link carriage and the drive carriage, the pivot-link structure contributing to movement of the link carriage and the drive carriage in unison for a distance along the first travel path;
a guide positioned in fixed relationship relative to the reference datum to prevent movement of the link carriage along the first travel path beyond a location corresponding to a position of the port door in proximity to the port plate aperture so that, as the drive mechanism moves the drive carriage along the first travel path while the guide prevents the link carriage from moving along the first travel path, the pivot link pivotally moves to cause the link carriage to move along the second travel path and thereby move the port door toward or away from the port plate aperture, depending on a direction of movement of the drive carriage along the first travel path relative to the link carriage.
2. The system of claim 1 , in which the link carriage has first and second surfaces and the guide includes a first roller that the first surface of the link carriage contacts to prevent its movement along the first travel path, the box load interface further comprising a second roller mounted in fixed relation to the first roller to contact the second surface of the link carriage as it moves along the second travel path.
3. The system of claim 1 , in which the link carriage has first and second opposite sides and the pivot-link structure includes first and second pairs of pivot links that are pivotally mounted to the respective first and second sides of the link carriage, one of the pivot links of the first and second pairs being in operative association with a pivot motion restriction feature to prevent pivotal movement of the pivot links when the link carriage and drive carriage move in unison along the first travel path.
4. The system of claim 3 , in which the pivot motion restriction feature includes a mechanical stop that constrains in one direction pivotal motion of the pivot link with which the pivot motion restriction feature is associated.
5. The system of claim 1 , in which the first and second travel paths are orthogonal.
6. The system of claim 1 , in which the drive mechanism includes a motor-driven lead screw mechanism.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a counterbalance mechanism operatively coupled to the link carriage to support the weight of the port door as the drive mechanism moves the link carriage along the first travel path.
8. The system of claim 7 , in which the counterbalance mechanism overcounterbalances the weight of the port door to provide a lifting force to the port door.
9. The system of claim 7 , in which the counterbalance mechanism cooperates with the pivot link structure to move the link carriage and drive carriage in unison for a distance along the first travel path.
10. The system of claim 7 , in which the counterbalance mechanism comprises a pivot member that is operatively connected for pivotal movement relative to the link carriage, the pivot member pivotally moving in a direction to advance the port door toward the port plate aperture or in a direction to retract the port door away from the port plate aperture, depending on the direction of movement of the link carriage along the second travel path.
11. The system of claim 10 , in which the pivot member pivotally moves to advance the port door by a distance that closes the port plate aperture and thereby provides a positive self-locking feature for the port door.
12. The system of claim 10 , in which the counterbalance mechanism further comprises a fluidic cylinder that includes an extensible rod that is operatively connected to the pivot member.
13. In a specimen processing system configured to support a transport box in which one or more specimens are stored, the box comprising a box cover having an opening that provides access to specimens stored or to store specimens in the box, and a removable box door that opens and closes the opening of the box, a box load interface comprising;
a retractable port door attachable to the box door to selectively move the box door toward or away from the box cover to thereby close or open it;
a port plate having a port plate aperture through which the box door can move as the port door moves the box door toward or away from the box cover;
a port door multi-axial positioning mechanism for selectively moving the port door toward or away from the port plate aperture along first and second transverse paths of travel, the positioning mechanism including a link carriage operatively connected to the port door and to a drive mechanism that moves a drive carriage along the first travel path relative to a spatial reference datum; and
a counterbalance mechanism operatively coupled to the link carriage to support the weight of the port door as the drive mechanism moves the link carriage along the first travel path.
14. The system of claim 13 , in which the counterbalance mechanism overcounterbalances the weight of the port door to provide a lifting force to the port door.
15. The system of claim 13 , in which the counterbalance mechanism comprises a pivot member that is operatively connected for pivotal movement relative to the link carriage, the pivot member pivotally moving in a direction to advance the port door toward the port plate aperture or in a direction to retract the port door away from the port plate aperture, depending on the direction of movement of the link carriage along the second travel path.
16. The system of claim 15 , in which the pivot member pivotally moves to advance the port door by a distance that closes the port plate aperture and thereby provides a positive self-locking feature for the port door.
17. The system of claim 15 , in which the counterbalance mechanism further comprises a fluidic cylinder that includes an extensible rod that is operatively connected to the pivot member.