Multi-lumen lower part for a fluid delivery device and multi-lumen fluid delivery device
By introducing additional guide sections into the housing of the multi-channel fluid delivery device, the problem of piston actuator tilt clearance was solved, achieving uniformity and precision in liquid reception between channels, reducing operating force, and improving the device's performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EPPENDORF AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Multi-channel fluid delivery devices are prone to tilting gaps during the movement of the piston manipulator, resulting in uneven liquid reception and output between channels, affecting precision and accuracy, and potentially increasing operating force.
Additional guides, including first and second guide sections, are introduced into the housing of the multi-channel lower component to ensure that the piston actuator remains aligned throughout its entire stroke. Precise guidance is achieved through components such as guide rails and guide pins, reducing friction and lateral forces and preventing tilting.
It significantly reduces the angular error of the piston actuator, improves the uniformity and accuracy of liquid reception between channels, reduces operating force, prevents jamming and uneven friction, and enhances the user experience of the fluid delivery device.
Smart Images
Figure CN122161668A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a multi-channel lower component for a fluid delivery device, particularly a suction pump or distributor, and a multi-channel fluid delivery device having such a multi-channel lower component. In particular, the invention relates to a piston actuator guide for the multi-channel lower component of such a multi-channel fluid delivery device, which minimizes the tilt clearance of the piston actuator and thus achieves particularly uniform fluid reception in all channels of the multi-channel fluid delivery device. Background Technology
[0002] Multichannel fluid delivery devices, particularly multichannel suction pipettes and multichannel dispensers, are used to calibratedly draw in liquid and / or subsequently dispense the liquid into a container. Here, the multichannel fluid delivery device is held in the operator's hand during liquid drawing and dispensing. The multichannel fluid delivery device has an upper component and a multichannel lower component, in which operating elements and mechanical or electronic devices necessary for liquid drawing are arranged, and the multichannel lower component has multiple parallel dispensing channels configured for receiving and / or dispensing liquid.
[0003] The accuracy and precision of the volume drawn in depend on the ability to achieve and reproduce the same synchronous stroke for each extrusion element for a given volume setting. However, it has been observed that when using a multi-channel suction pump, the piston actuator tends to exhibit an angular difference between the uppermost and lowermost positions of the suction pump stroke, failing to maintain orthogonality relative to the sliding direction. This effect, known as tilt clearance, occurs during the reciprocating motion of the piston actuator and the extrusion elements and results in a difference in stroke distance between one extrusion element and another, thereby reducing the accuracy and precision of the volume drawn in among the multiple extrusion elements. In particular, during gravimetric measurements, tilt clearance causes a stepped increase in the volume received and / or output between the channels of the multi-channel fluid delivery device. This tilt clearance is primarily caused by excessive guide clearance between the piston actuator and the piston actuator guide. Secondly, unsuitable shape of the return spring used to lift the piston actuator, excessively low stiffness of the piston actuator guide, varying friction at the seals of the extrusion elements, and other factors also contribute to the tilt clearance of the piston actuator.
[0004] A multi-channel suction pump for dispensing liquids is known from DE 10 2006 031 460 B4, which has a piston actuator rod and multiple receiving portions for piston heads arranged at the end of the piston actuator rod. Here, an elastic element is arranged between the piston of each channel of the multi-channel suction pump and the corresponding receiving portion of the piston head, the elastic element supporting the centering of the piston in the receiving portion.
[0005] EP 2 190 582 B1 describes a multi-channel suction actuator having a piston support and a guide for the piston support. For this purpose, a guide rail is laterally constructed at the housing of the lower multi-channel component, interrupting the housing, and a guide element connected to the piston support is guided at this guide rail. Here, the guide element includes a roller that rolls within the guide rail, thus achieving guidance of the piston support with the lowest possible friction.
[0006] A multi-channel lower component for a suction device is known from WO 2010 / 080082 A1. The multi-channel lower component includes a guide structure assembly comprising a piston holder, a first rotating element and a second rotating element, a shaft, and a first and a second track. The piston holder includes a plurality of oriented cuts, a first slit, and a second and a third slit. The first slit extends above and generally parallel to the plurality of oriented cuts, and the second and third slits extend generally orthogonally to the first slit. The first rotating element is mounted in the second slit, and the second rotating element is mounted in the third slit. The shaft is mounted in the first slit and connects the first and second rotating elements. The first rotating element is mounted such that it rolls along the first track, and the second rotating element is mounted such that it rolls along the second track.
[0007] However, a drawback of the known solutions is that dust and dirt can enter the housing of the multi-channel lower component through openings in the housing. Furthermore, the piston actuator may still tilt, resulting in different volume reception in the individual channels of the multi-channel lower component. Summary of the Invention
[0008] The object of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings known in the prior art, and particularly in multi-channel suction pumps or multi-channel distributors, to ensure exceptionally uniform liquid reception and / or liquid output through the different channels of the multi-channel lower component. This improves the accuracy of multi-channel fluid delivery devices. Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to avoid increasing operating force.
[0009] This objective is achieved by a multi-channel lower component for a liquid delivery device, the multi-channel lower component comprising the following components: - A piston actuator used to move multiple pistons simultaneously. - Relative to multiple receiving volumes for fluid arranged parallel to each other, wherein each receiving volume is defined by a piston. - A housing having a spring chamber for receiving a spring for the piston actuator and a receiving chamber for receiving multiple receiving volumes for receiving fluid. - A contact area in which the lower multi-channel component can connect to the upper component of the liquid delivery device at or within the spring chamber, wherein... - A first guide portion is constructed in the spring chamber for a piston actuator or a component connected to the piston actuator, and wherein, - A second guide portion for piston actuator or a component connected to piston actuator is constructed on the inner side of the housing facing the receiving chamber.
[0010] The additional guidance in the second guide section reduces the risk of piston manipulator tilting. In particular, it prevents lateral forces acting on the piston manipulator from the upper component of the multi-channel liquid delivery device via the transfer device from causing the piston manipulator to deviate from its axis or laterally deflect. Therefore, it prevents the piston manipulator from being squeezed out of the center in the contact area and prevents forces or torques that would cause piston manipulator tilting from being applied to the piston manipulator. It also prevents the piston manipulator from abutting against the housing of the lower multi-channel component on one side and prevents uneven friction conditions across the width of the piston manipulator. This prevents the piston manipulator from "jamming" at the housing and prevents uneven reception between the channels of the lower multi-channel component when receiving liquid.
[0011] The features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous improvements and further improvements to the multi-channel fluid delivery device described in the independent claims.
[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first guide section and the second guide section are constructed aligned with each other. This enables particularly precise guidance of the piston actuator. In particular, with the two aligned guide sections, deviation of the piston actuator's axis or angular deviation of the piston actuator can be avoided, thereby further reducing the risk of piston actuator tilting.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second guide is constructed as a guide rail. The guide rail provides guidance to the piston actuator over a longer stroke, thereby ensuring guidance substantially throughout the entire stroke of the piston actuator. This achieves, for example, a better guiding effect than that achieved through a guide hole, which is immobile relative to the piston's movement, and in the case of the guide hole, where the guiding performance varies depending on the position of the piston actuator due to the changing lever arm.
[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a guide rail is constructed within the receiving chamber of the housing, wherein the piston actuator is guided by the guide rail in a second guide at its end away from the contact area. This enables the piston actuator to be guided almost along its entire length, thereby further reducing the risk of piston actuator tilting and the associated uneven liquid reception in the various channels. Furthermore, the guide rail can be cost-effectively and easily integrated into the housing of the multi-channel lower component in such a way that it is formed into the housing during initial molding, particularly during the injection molding process used to manufacture the housing, especially in the housing layer, and therefore no further processing of the housing is required after initial molding.
[0015] Preferably, the housing has two housing layers, wherein a guide rail is constructed on the inner wall of the defining receiving chamber of one of the housing layers, guiding the piston actuator at the end of the piston actuator away from the contact area. Such a guide can be easily and cost-effectively integrated into the housing layers. Furthermore, such a guide rail guides the piston actuator throughout its entire operating stroke, thereby minimizing angular deviation of the piston actuator.
[0016] Alternatively, a second guide section can also be constructed within the sidewall of the housing. Highly efficient guidance can also be achieved by additionally guiding the piston actuator within the sidewall of the housing, whereby the piston actuator is guided in one of the three guide sections along almost its entire length. Here, "sidewall" should be understood as the narrow wall of the housing, while within the framework of this patent application, the longer sides are referred to as the front and rear sides of the housing.
[0017] It is particularly preferred that each of the two sidewalls is provided with a guide rail for the piston actuator. This enables particularly easy guidance of the piston actuator. In particular, the improved guidance in the two sidewalls of the housing prevents the piston actuator from adhering to the housing and thereby prevents uneven fluid reception in the different channels of the multi-channel component.
[0018] One advantageous design for a multi-channel lower component proposes a guide body formed or constructed at the piston actuator, which guides within the guide rail of the second guide portion. The guide body, formed or constructed at the piston actuator, enables particularly precise guidance of the piston actuator within the guide rail of the second guide portion. Furthermore, the shape of the guide body minimizes friction in the second guide portion, thereby minimizing the operating force required for the multi-channel lower component, and the improved guidance does not come at the cost of higher operating forces.
[0019] A particularly advantageous feature is that the guide body is constructed as a guide pin, which is guided within the guide rail of the second guide section. The guide pin achieves both low friction and precise guidance of the piston actuator. Furthermore, the guide pin is suitable for compensating for angular deviations of the piston actuator relative to the guide rail, so that such angular errors do not lead to a significant increase in operating force.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a spring seat and a spring locking device are arranged in the contact area, wherein a second guide section is constructed at the spring seat and / or the spring locking device. In solutions known in the prior art, the spring chamber has historically formed an area in which the piston actuator is essentially constructed without a guide. Because the force introduction from the upper component of the fluid transfer device to the piston actuator occurs in the contact area from the upper component to the multi-channel lower component, it is particularly important to achieve good guidance for the piston actuator in this area. Therefore, it is preferable to construct additional guides at the spring seat and / or the spring locking device in this contact area. Additional guides in the contact area to the upper component of the fluid transfer device prevent buckling at the connection between the upper component and the piston actuator. Therefore, not only can the lateral force acting on the piston actuator be minimized, but also the angular error in the guidance of the piston actuator can be minimized.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston actuator has a recess in the contact area into which the flange of the spring locking device engages. This allows for an easy and form-locking mechanical connection between the spring locking device and the piston actuator. In particular, this form-locking connection ensures that the spring seat does not shift relative to the piston actuator. Therefore, particularly precise, preferably backlash-free, guidance can be achieved in this contact area.
[0022] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous to propose that a radially outwardly extending wing be constructed at the spring locking device, the wing abutting against the housing of the multi-channel lower component, wherein the piston actuator is centered by means of the wing.
[0023] In a preferred design of the multi-channel lower component, a spring locking device is fixed to the piston actuator or a spring seat connected to the piston actuator in a bayonet-type locking manner. In this regard, "bayonet-type locking" should be understood as a locking element that is moved into a fixed position by a pressing movement of the spring locking device followed by a twisting motion. Here, the spring locking device can be pushed onto the piston actuator through a corresponding free clearance and form-locked in the contact area. This ensures reliable fixation of the spring function in addition to improved guidance, allowing the multi-channel lower component to be stored or cleaned as a finished structural assembly even when not connected to the upper component. Furthermore, the spring locking device is used to preload the spring to ensure the piston actuator's reset function after operation of the fluid transfer device. The spring is preferably preloaded with a force of 1.5 to 4 Newtons, particularly preferably 1.8 to 2.5 Newtons, so as to induce a reliable reset function of the piston actuator and the piston connected to the piston actuator, and to keep the operating force moderate so that the user can easily and fatigue-free operate the liquid transfer device under continuous repetition.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide portion in the spring chamber is constructed as a guide rail, in which the spring seat and / or spring locking device are guided. This enables particularly precise and substantially backlash-free first guidance of the piston actuator. Consequently, together with the second guide portion at the receiving chamber, the maximum angular deviation is minimized, thereby ensuring substantially identical volume reception in different channels of the component in a multi-channel configuration.
[0025] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide rail is constructed as a columnar guide portion, and the corresponding arcuate geometry at the spring seat and / or spring locking device is received within the columnar guide portion. Here, the columnar guide portion preferably has opposing, preferably offset by 180°, guide sections, wherein each guide section is constructed on a circular section of 15° to 30°.
[0026] In an advantageous design of the multi-channel lower component, a guide rail extends over at least half the length of the spring chamber, preferably at least 70% of the length of the spring chamber, and particularly preferably at least 90% of the length of the spring chamber. This allows the piston actuator to be ideally guided in the first guide section throughout its entire operating stroke, thereby minimizing angular and axial deviations of the piston actuator. Consequently, differences in fluid volume received by the various channels of the multi-channel lower component can be minimized with lower operating forces, and the accuracy of the liquid delivery process can be improved.
[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a multi-channel liquid delivery device having an upper component and such a multi-channel lower component, wherein the upper component is provided with a piston actuator for axially pushing the multi-channel lower component by means of a transfer element and a coupling element.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multichannel liquid delivery device is a multichannel pipette or a multichannel dispenser. Used in the laboratory to process multiple samples simultaneously, this multichannel pipette or dispenser can be held and operated by the operator with one hand. A particular requirement in such a multichannel pipette or dispenser is that the intake and / or output volumes achieved through each channel of the multichannel liquid delivery device are as similar as possible.
[0029] Tests at the prototype site have shown that, compared to known solutions, the angular error of the piston actuator can be reduced by 40% in the multi-channel lower component according to the invention. Here, even under the most unfavorable conditions, the absolute angular error is reduced to less than 0.2°. This not only ensures very uniform liquid reception across all receiving volumes in the multi-channel lower component, but also guarantees that the operating force, especially in the mechanical suction device, remains low and easily bearable, preventing premature fatigue of the operator's finger muscles.
[0030] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with each other. Attached Figure Description
[0031] The invention will now be illustrated in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the same components or components having the same function are represented by the same reference numerals in different drawings. Wherein: Figure 1 A multi-channel liquid delivery device according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A first cross-sectional view of the multi-channel lower component according to the present invention is shown for a multi-channel liquid delivery device; Figure 3 A further cross-sectional view of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for a multi-channel liquid delivery device; Figure 4 The housing of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown in cross-section; Figure 5 A further cross-sectional view of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for a multi-channel liquid delivery device; Figure 6 A spring seat and a spring locking device are shown, at which a guide for a piston actuator is constructed; Figure 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the guide section for the piston actuator; Figure 8 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the guide portion for the piston actuator; Figure 9 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the guide portion for the piston actuator; Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for use in a liquid delivery device; Figure 11 A top view of the contact area of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for a liquid delivery device; Figure 12 A three-dimensional view of the contact area of a multi-channel lower component according to the present invention is shown; Figure 13 A further cross-sectional view of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention for a liquid delivery device is shown; Figure 14 A further three-dimensional view of the cross-section of the contact area of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for a liquid delivery device; Figure 15 A further top view of the contact area of the multi-channel lower component according to the invention is shown for a liquid delivery device; and Figure 16 Detailed diagrams are shown of a spring-locking device and coupling element for connecting the lower part of a multi-channel system to the upper part of a liquid delivery device. Detailed Implementation
[0032] Figure 1 A liquid delivery device 100 in the form of a multi-channel suction device 10 is shown, having an upper part 12 and a multi-channel lower part 20 reversibly and releasably connected to the upper part 12. An operating element 16 is provided at the upper part 12, which allows liquid to be received into the liquid delivery device 100 in a first method step and to be output again via the liquid delivery device in a later method step. Furthermore, the upper part 12 includes a housing 14 in which a transfer rod (not shown) is arranged, establishing a mechanical connection from the operating element 16 to the multi-channel lower part 20. A finger hook 18 is provided at the upper part, allowing the liquid delivery device to be placed on the operator's finger for easy holding and operation of the liquid delivery device 100. Additionally, a pop-out button 13 can be provided at the upper part 12 for easy ejection of the suction device tip after use of the liquid delivery device 100.
[0033] The upper component 12 has a preferably tubular housing 14 from which operating elements 16, particularly operating buttons, extend at their end faces. The operating elements 16 are used to set the volume of liquid transfer and / or control the liquid reception and / or liquid output through the multi-channel liquid delivery device 100. Furthermore, components of the mechanical devices required for liquid transfer and, if necessary, electronic components for controlling the multi-channel fluid delivery device 100 are arranged in the upper component 12.
[0034] The multi-channel lower component 20 includes a housing 22 having a first housing layer 24 and a second housing layer 26, which are connected to each other and constitute the housing 22. Here, the housing layers 24 and 26 are separated at the sidewalls of the housing 22. The multi-channel lower component 20 includes a large number of parallel channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, each having a liquid receiving volume space 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87. For this purpose, a suction tip is inserted into the cone 38 of each of the channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, where the liquid is received. An ejector frame 28 is provided for ejecting the tip of the suction device. The ejector frame is mechanically connected to the ejector button 13 and, when the ejector button 13 is pressed, causes the tip of the suction device to be ejected from the cone 38 of the channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.
[0035] Figure 2A cross-section of the multi-channel lower component 20 according to the invention for a liquid delivery device 100 is shown. The multi-channel lower component 20 may have a support frame 50 at which a first housing layer 24 and a second housing layer 26 of a housing 22 can be fixed. Alternatively, the housing layers 24, 26 may also be connected to each other without the support frame 50. The multi-channel lower component 20 further includes a piston actuator 40 having a first section 42 and a second section 46, the first section extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the liquid delivery device 100, and the second section extending perpendicular to the first section 42 and preferably over the entire width of the housing 22. A through-hole 98 is formed in the housing 22, separating the spring chamber 15 from the receiving chamber 17 of the multi-channel lower component 20. A spring 52 is arranged in the spring chamber 15, which is tensioned when the piston actuator 40 is pushed, and its spring force returns the piston actuator 40 to its initial position after the operating force is removed. Spring 52 is received in spring seat 56 connected to piston actuator 40 at the end of spring chamber 15 opposite to through-hole 98. Furthermore, spring 56 is received at its other end in lower spring seat surrounding through-hole 98. Spring seat 56 is secured to piston actuator 40 of multi-channel lower component 20 by spring locking device 58. For this purpose, flange at spring locking device 58 is engaged in recess 44 at first section of piston actuator 40. Here, head 96 of piston actuator 40 extends toward upper component 12 of liquid delivery device 100, thereby allowing easy mechanical contact with head 96 via transfer element of upper component 12. A first guide portion 54 for piston actuator 40 is constructed in this contact area 60 between spring seat 56 and / or spring locking device 58 and housing 22. A plurality of piston receiving portions 62 are constructed at second section 46 of piston actuator 40, in which piston heads 76 of pistons 75 are respectively received. Furthermore, a second guide section in the form of a recess 64 is constructed at the second section 46 of the piston actuator 40, which guides in the guide rail 66 in the housing 22 and thus constitutes a second guide portion 68.
[0036] exist Figure 3 A further cross-section of the housing 22 of the multi-channel lower component 20 according to the invention for use in a liquid delivery device 100 is shown. In conjunction with... Figure 2With essentially the same structure, only the differences will be discussed below. In this embodiment, the first guide section 54 is structurally implemented differently in the contact area 60 of the piston actuator 40. Here, the piston actuator 40 is directly guided in the spring locking device 58. Furthermore, no recess 64 is provided in the center position of the piston actuator 40. In this embodiment, the guide body 102, especially the guide pin 104, which is guided in the guide rail 66 that serves as the second guide section 68 of the piston actuator 40, is directly constructed in the second section 46 of the piston actuator 40.
[0037] exist Figure 4 Another cross-section of the housing 22 of the multi-channel lower component 20 is shown. The housing 22 has a support element 50, at which a first housing layer 24 is fixed. The housing layer 24 is connected to the support element 50 in a particularly form-locking manner with a reversibly releasable connection. It can also be seen that the housing 22 is cylindrically implemented in the region of the spring chamber 15. Here, a first guide portion of the piston actuator 40 is constructed in the contact region 60 for the piston actuator 40. It can also be seen that a guide rail 66 for a second guide portion 68 of the piston actuator 40 is constructed at the housing layer 24 or at the support element 50. The multi-channel lower component 20 has a support frame 74 for receiving the volume spaces 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 of the different channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. A retaining clip 72 is also provided to connect the support frame 74 to the housing 22 or the support frame 50. No guide is constructed at the through 98 in order to reduce the force acting on the piston actuator 40 and avoid the risk of the piston actuator 40 clamping due to an over-determined guide.
[0038] exist Figure 5 A further cross-section of the multi-channel lower component 20 according to the invention for the liquid delivery device 100 is shown. In this cross-section, the volume spaces 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 of channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 are placed within the support frame 74. It can be seen that the volume spaces 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 are each surrounded by volume springs 88, thereby reducing force consumption when inserting the suction tip onto the cone 38 and enabling particularly easy and tactilely comfortable insertion of the suction tip onto the cone 38 for the user. Furthermore... Figure 5As can be seen, the piston is held in the piston receiving portion 62 of the piston actuator 40 by its piston head 76 and can be moved by the piston actuator. For this purpose, the piston head 76 is connected to the piston tip via the piston rod 78, which is axially movable in one of the volume spaces 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and thus controls the liquid reception of the corresponding channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.
[0039] Figure 6 The spring seat 56 and the spring locking device 58 are shown in a three-dimensional diagram. A recess 94 is provided at the spring locking device 58 to push the spring locking device 58 onto the spring seat 56 and the head 96 of the piston actuator 40. Furthermore, a guide surface 90 is provided at the spring locking device 58 to guide the piston actuator 40 in a first guide portion 54. Additionally, a flap 92 is provided at the spring seat 56 to orient the spring seat within the housing 22 of the multi-channel lower component 20 and / or to stop it within the housing 22.
[0040] Figure 7 illustrates another preferred embodiment of improved guidance for the piston actuator 40 in the contact area 60. Here, a guide element 99 is constructed at the housing 22, extending radially inward from a columnar section of the housing 22 to receive the spring seat 56 and / or the spring locking device 58 substantially without clearance. The piston actuator 40 is guided in the spring seat 56 and / or the spring locking device 58 with its head 96. The spring locking device 56 has a flange that engages with the undercut at the head 96 of the piston actuator 40 and thus forms a stop for form-locking of the spring locking device 58 and / or the spring seat 56. Figure 7a A top view of the contact area 60 of the multi-channel lower component 20 shows improved guidance. Figure 7b The improved guidance is illustrated in a cross-sectional view. Figure 7b In the cross-sectional view shown, the piston actuator 40 is fully unloaded, thus the spring 52 is fully relaxed. By pressing the head 96 of the piston actuator 40, the piston actuator 40 moves downwards as shown in the figure, wherein the piston actuator 40 is at the first guide 54 and... Figure 2 and 3 The piston actuator 40 is guided at the second guide 68 shown. Here, the guide element 99 is constructed to be so long in the axial direction that the piston actuator 40 is guided through the first guide 54 over its entire operating stroke. The spring 52 is compressed here and returns the piston actuator 40 to its initial position after the operating force is released.
[0041] exist Figure 8a and 8bA further preferred embodiment of improved guidance for the piston actuator 40 in the contact area 60, i.e., in the region of the second guide 54, is shown. In this embodiment, the spring locking device 56 has a gear-shaped base from which two flaps 92 extend radially outward. The flaps 92 are provided for form-fitting reception in recesses at the housing 22. The spring locking device 56 has a central opening in which the head 96 of the piston actuator 40 is guided.
[0042] exist Figure 8b The image shows the upper section of the multi-channel lower component 20 for a liquid delivery device 100, particularly for a multi-channel suction pump 10. Here, the first section 42 of the piston actuator 40 is guided at a through-hole 98 in the housing 22, which serves as a first guide 22. Furthermore, the head 96 of the piston actuator 40 is guided at the contact area 60 by a first guide 54. The first guide 54 includes a spring seat 56 and a spring locking device 58. The piston actuator 40 has a recess 44 in the region of its head 96, in which the spring locking device 56 is form-fitted into the recess 44 and thus holds the spring seat 56 and the spring 52 received in the spring seat in a defined position.
[0043] Figure 9a and 9b Another preferred embodiment of improved guidance for the piston actuator 40 in the contact area 60 is shown. Here, in this embodiment, the housing 22 of the multi-channel lower component 20 is cylindrically implemented in the contact area 60 to the upper component 12. In this embodiment, the improved piston actuator guide includes a spring seat 56 and a spring locking device 58, which are combined in components 56, 58. Here, a flap 92 is constructed at the components 56, 58, extending radially beyond the circular bottom surface of the components 56, 58, which is supported on the inner wall of the cylindrical section of the housing 22 and thus guides the piston actuator 40. The piston actuator 40 has a recess 44 in the region of its head 96, in which the components 56, 58 are form-fitted and thus hold the components 56, 58 and the spring 52 received in the components 56, 58 in a defined position.
[0044] exist Figure 10The figure shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the multi-channel lower component 20 according to the invention for a liquid delivery device 100. The multi-channel lower component 20 includes a housing 22 and a plurality of parallel channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, each channel having a receiving volume space 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 for receiving liquid. For receiving liquid, suction tips (not shown) are respectively inserted into the cones 38 of channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, where the liquid is received. A pop-out frame 28 is provided for ejecting the suction tips, and this pop-out frame is mechanically connected to the pop-out button 13 of the upper component 12 of the suction device 10. Here, pressing the eject button 13 causes the tip of the suction device to eject from the cone 38 of channels 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. Pistons 75, each comprising a piston rod 78 and a piston head 76, are arranged in receiving volumes 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87. The piston heads 76 of the pistons 75 are received in piston receiving portions 62 of the piston actuator 40. The piston actuator 40 has a first section 42 extending vertically in the drawing plane and a second section 46 extending substantially perpendicularly to the first section 42, which extends substantially horizontally in the drawing plane shown. Here, the piston receiving portion 62 is constructed at the second section 46 of the piston actuator 40. The housing 22 forms the spring chamber 15 and the receiving chamber 17. Here, the spring chamber 15 and the receiving chamber 17 are connected by a through-hole 98. The first section 42 of the piston actuator 40 is substantially located in the spring chamber 15 in its unloaded initial state, and the second section 46 of the piston actuator is located in the receiving chamber 17. A spring 52 is arranged in the spring chamber 15, which is tensioned when the piston actuator 40 is pushed, and the spring force of the spring returns the piston actuator 40 to its initial position after the operating force is removed. The spring 52 is received in a spring seat 56 connected to the piston actuator 40 at the end of the spring chamber 15 opposite to the through-hole 98. In addition, the spring 52 is received at its other end in a lower spring seat surrounding the through-hole 98. The spring seat 56 is secured to the piston actuator 40 of the multi-channel lower component 20 by a spring locking device 58. The piston actuator 40 is guided in the contact area 60 at a first guide 54, which is constructed between the housing 22 or a guide rail 106 inserted into the housing 22 and the spring locking device 56 connected to the piston actuator 40. Alternatively or additionally, the first guide 54 may also be constructed between the housing 22 or the guide rail 106 inserted into the housing 22 and the spring seat 56.Furthermore, the piston actuator 40 is guided at a second guide 68, which is constructed between a guide rail 66 constructed at the housing 22 and a guide body 102, particularly a guide pin 104, which is preferably connected to the second section 46 of the piston actuator 40 by locking material.
[0045] Figure 11 A top view of the contact area 60 of the multi-channel lower component 20 is shown. It can be seen that a columnar guide 48 is constructed at the housing 22, which is effectively connected to the corresponding arcuate profile 108 at the spring-locking device 58 and thus constitutes the first guide 54. Furthermore, it can be seen that the spring-locking device 58 has a columnar section 112 and four legs 114, 116, 118, and 120 extending inwardly from the columnar section 112, which are supported at the piston actuator 40. A cavity 110 is constructed between the columnar section 112 and the arcuate profile 108 to provide the necessary elasticity for the arcuate profile to rotate to a corresponding defined position via the shaped section 122 and to be oriented relative to the columnar guide 48.
[0046] Figure 12 Another preferred design for the contact area 60 and the first guide portion 54 is shown. Here, the spring locking device 58 and the spring seat 56 are integrally constructed in one component. Furthermore, an arcuate profile 108 is constructed at the spring locking device 58, which guides in the columnar guide portion 48 at the housing 22 and thus constitutes the first guide portion 54 for the piston actuator 40.
[0047] exist Figure 13A cross-sectional view shows another embodiment of the multi-channel lower component 20 according to the invention for a liquid delivery device 100. The multi-channel lower component 20 has a housing 22 and a piston actuator 40 disposed in the housing 22. The multi-channel lower component 20 may have a support frame 50, to which a first housing layer 24 and a second housing layer 26 of the housing 22 may be fixed. Alternatively, the housing layers 24, 26 may also be connected to each other without the support frame 50. The piston actuator 40 has a first segment 42 extending vertically in the drawing plane and a second segment 46 extending substantially perpendicular to the first segment 42, which extends substantially horizontally in the drawing plane shown. The housing 22 forms a spring chamber 15 and a receiving chamber 17. Here, the spring chamber 15 and the receiving chamber 17 are connected by a through-hole 98. The first segment 42 of the piston actuator 40 is substantially in the spring chamber 15 in an unloaded initial state, and the second segment 46 of the piston actuator is in the receiving chamber 17. A spring 52 is arranged in the spring chamber 15. This spring is tensioned when the piston actuator 40 is pushed, and the spring force returns the piston actuator 40 to its initial position after the operating force is removed. The spring 52 is received in a spring seat 56 connected to the piston actuator 40 at the end of the spring chamber 15 opposite to the through-hole 98. Furthermore, the spring 52 is received at its other end in a lower spring seat surrounding the through-hole 98. The spring seat 56 is secured to the piston actuator 40 of the multi-channel lower component 20 by a spring locking device 58. The piston actuator 40 is guided in the contact area 60 at a first guide 54, which is constructed between the housing 22 or a guide rail 106 inserted into the housing 22 and the spring locking device 56 connected to the piston actuator 40. The piston actuator 40 is further guided at a second guide 68, which is constructed between a guide rail 66 constructed at the housing 22, particularly a guide rail 66 constructed at one of the housing layers 24, 26, and a guide body 102, particularly a guide pin 104, which is preferably materially locked to the second section 46 of the piston actuator 40. This provides guidance for the piston actuator 40 along its entire length, thereby minimizing angular deviations of the piston actuator 40 and the associated non-uniform liquid reception in the different receiving volume spaces 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 of the multi-channel components.
[0048] Figure 14Another preferred design of the contact area 60 and the first guide 54 of the multi-channel lower component 20 is shown. The contact area 60 is specifically designed for the electronic suction device 10 and, in addition to the spring locking device 58, also has a coupling element 59 for coupling the multi-channel lower component 20 to the upper component 12 of the liquid delivery device 100. A guide rail 106 is constructed or arranged in the housing 22, which guides the spring locking device 58 in the arcuate section 108 via a columnar guide 48.
[0049] Figure 15 A further top view of the contact area 60 of the multi-channel lower component 20 is shown. Here it can be seen that a columnar guide 48 is constructed at the housing 22, which is effectively connected to the corresponding arcuate profile 108 at the spring locking device 58 and thus constitutes the first guide 54. Figure 11 In contrast to the embodiment shown, the spring locking device 58 is constructed as a solid body in this embodiment, wherein no cavity is constructed between the arcuate section 108 and the cylindrical section 112 of the spring locking device 58. Here, the cylindrical guide profile 48 has two opposing guide sections offset by 180°, which extend in an angular range of 20 to 30° respectively.
[0050] Figure 16 A spring-locking device 58 is shown, which has an arcuate guide section 108 and a recess located between a columnar section 112 and the arcuate guide section 108. Furthermore, a shaped section 122 is constructed at the spring-locking device 58 to facilitate screwing the spring-locking device 58 onto the piston actuator 40. Additionally, in Figure 16 The image shows a spring seat 56 and a coupling element 59, which is used to couple the multi-channel lower component 20 to the upper component 12 of the liquid delivery device 100.
[0051] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10 Suction Transfer Device 12 Upper Components 13 Pop-up button 14. Shell 15 Spring Chambers 16 Operating elements 17 Reception Room 18 finger hooks 19 Transfer elements 20-channel lower components 22. Shell 24 First shell layer 25 Inner wall 26 Second shell layer 28. Pop-up Frame 30 First Channel 31 Second Channel 32 Third Channel 33 Fourth Channel 34 Fifth Passage 35 Sixth Channel 36 Seventh Channel 37 Eighth Channel 38 cones 40 Piston actuator 42 First Section 44 recess 46 Second Section 48. Columnar guide section 50 Load-bearing frame 52 Springs 54 First Guiding Department 56 Spring seat 58. Spring locking device 59 Coupling element 60 Contact Area 62 Piston receiving section 64 recess 66 guide rail 68 Second Guiding Section 70 Reception Department 72 Retaining Clip 74 Load-bearing frame 75 Piston 76 Piston Head 78 Piston Rod 80 First volume space 81 Second volume space 82 Third volume space 83 Fourth volume space 84 Fifth Volume Space 85 Sixth Volume Space 86 Seventh Volume Space 87 Eighth Volume Space 88 volume spring 90 Guide surface 92 winglets 94 recess 96 (Piston manipulator) head 98. Piercing 99 Guiding Element 100 Liquid conveying device 102 Guide Body 104 Guide Pin 106 guide rail 108 Arc-shaped profile 110 recess 112 columnar section 114 First Leg 116 Second leg 118 The Third Leg 120 Fourth Leg 122 Forming Section
Claims
1. A multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid delivery device (100), comprising: - A piston manipulator (40) for moving multiple pistons (75) simultaneously. - A plurality of fluid-receiving volumes (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87) arranged parallel to each other, wherein each of the fluid-receiving volumes (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87) is defined by one of the pistons (75). - Housing (22), the housing having a spring chamber (15) and a receiving chamber (17), the spring chamber being used to receive a spring (52) for the piston actuator (40), and the receiving chamber being used to receive a plurality of receiving volumes (80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87) for receiving fluid. - A contact area (60) in which the multi-channel lower component (20) can be connected to the upper component (12) of the liquid delivery device (100) at or within the spring chamber (15), wherein, - A first guide (54) is constructed in the spring chamber (15) for the piston actuator (40) or a component (56, 58) connected to the piston actuator (40), and wherein, - A second guide (68) for the piston actuator (40) or a component (102, 104) connected to the piston actuator (40) is constructed on the inner side of the housing (22) facing the receiving chamber (17).
2. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid delivery device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The first guide portion (54) and the second guide portion (68) are constructed to be aligned with each other.
3. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second guide (68) is constructed as a guide rail (66).
4. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (22) has two housing layers (24, 26), wherein a guide rail (66) is constructed at one of the housing layers (24, 26) on the inner wall defining the receiving chamber (17), wherein the piston actuator (40) is guided by the guide rail (66) at its end opposite to the contact area (60).
5. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid delivery device (100) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that, A guide (102) is formed or constructed at the piston actuator (40), the guide being guided in the guide rail (66) of the second guide (68).
6. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide body (102) is a guide pin (104).
7. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A spring seat (56) and a spring locking device (58) are arranged in the contact area (60), wherein the first guide (54) is constructed at the spring seat (56) and / or at the spring locking device (58).
8. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The piston actuator (40) has a recess (44) in the contact area (60), and the flange of the spring locking device (58) is engaged in the recess.
9. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid delivery device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, A radially outwardly extending wing (92) is constructed at the spring locking device (58), the wing abutting against the housing (22), wherein the piston actuator (40) is centered by means of the wing (92).
10. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The spring locking device (58) is fixed in the housing (22) or the spring seat (56) by means of a bayonet locking member.
11. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first guide (54) in the spring chamber (15) is configured as a guide rail (106), in which the spring seat (56) and / or the spring locking device (58) are guided.
12. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid conveying device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The guide rail (106) is constructed as a columnar guide portion (48), wherein the corresponding arcuate geometry at the spring seat (56) and / or the spring locking device (58) is received in the columnar guide portion (48).
13. The multi-channel lower component (20) for a liquid delivery device (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The guide rail (106) extends over at least half the length of the spring chamber (15).
14. A multi-channel liquid delivery device (100) comprising an upper component (12) and a multi-channel lower component (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The upper component (12) has an operating element (16) that provides a piston actuator (20) for axially pushing the multi-channel lower component (20) via a transfer element (19).
15. The multi-channel liquid delivery device (100) according to claim 14, wherein, The multichannel liquid delivery device (100) is a suction pump (10) or a distributor.