Automatic Pipette Piston-Gripping Mechanism for Damage-Free Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston-gripping mechanisms in liquid handling systems are inconvenient, laborious, and prone to damaging pistons during loading, with unclear success of gripping.
Innovation Solution
An automatic piston-gripping apparatus with a gripping mechanism, holding shank, and springs, featuring a locking ring and collet that automatically grips the piston upon movement, producing a sound to indicate successful gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional collet-sleeve-spring gripping mechanism is used, then the piston can be gripped, but the user must perform a pre-operation of opening the collet with application of effort, making the operation inconvenient and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is pre-configured in an open state through the interaction between the locking ring and the first spring. The locking ring is positioned at the first limiting portion, which allows the collet to extend beyond the locking ring, maintaining it in an open configuration before piston insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for user effort to open the collet during operation.
2Reliability
If manual opening of the collet is required, then the gripping mechanism can function, but the piston may be damaged during the loading operation
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism performs self-service by automatically maintaining the collet in an open state through the locking ring and first spring arrangement. When the piston is inserted, the system automatically grips it without requiring manual manipulation. This self-operating mechanism prevents damage to the piston that would otherwise occur during manual collet opening and closing operations.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a traditional gripping mechanism is used, then the piston can be gripped, but it is not easy to observe whether gripping of the piston is successful
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback through the auditory signal generated when the collet grips the piston. The movement of the collet relative to the locking ring, driven by the first spring, produces a detectable sound or motion that indicates successful gripping. This feedback mechanism allows the user to immediately know whether the piston has been properly gripped without requiring visual inspection or additional detection devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus quickly and adaptively grips pistons, ensuring successful engagement without user effort and preventing damage, while providing auditory feedback for correct positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring, which sleeves over the gripping mechanism and is located between the gripping mechanism and the holding shank
Implementation Method 2
a second spring, which sleeves over the collet and is located between the collet and the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic piston-gripping apparatus and a pipette including the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a gripping mechanism, holding shank, first spring, and, optionally, piston. The gripping mechanism is arranged in the holding shank. The first spring sleeves over the gripping mechanism and is located between the gripping mechanism and holding shank. The apparatus is configured for inserting a piston from an end portion of the holding shank that faces a collet of the gripping mechanism. A locking ring is arranged at a head of the collet. The end portion of the holding shank includes a first limiting portion for positioning the locking ring. The collet extends out of the locking ring when the locking ring moves and/or moved to the first limiting portion and automatically grips the piston. The apparatus quickly and adaptively grips the piston, and an optionally produces a sound in the process thereof.