Hand-Held Capper Cartridge With Single-Button Tube Decapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of decapping sample tubes, pipetting samples, and recapping is repetitive and poses a risk of repetitive strain injury.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held capper/decapper device with motorized rotary and linear drives, controlled by a single button operation, that automates the capping and decapping of sample tubes, using interchangeable cap drivers and ejector pins to minimize user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual decapping and recapping of sample tubes is performed, then operational flexibility is maintained, but repetitive strain injury risk increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated motorized system. A motorized rotary drive automatically rotates cap drivers to engage and disengage caps from sample tubes, while a motorized linear drive automates the ejection of caps. This eliminates the need for repetitive manual twisting and handling motions that cause strain injuries, while significantly increasing capping and decapping speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-operating through automated control sequences. The controller automatically manages the rotary and linear drives to perform complete capping and decapping cycles without requiring manual intervention for each individual operation. The system serves itself by automating the repetitive tasks that were previously performed manually, thereby eliminating repetitive strain while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If automated systems for capping and decapping entire arrays are introduced, then productivity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated system into a portable hand-held device that can be manually positioned and operated. Instead of a large fixed automated array processor, the system divides functionality into a compact unit with motorized components that can handle one row of tubes at a time. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity and cost while maintaining the productivity benefits of automation for array processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the motorized rotary and linear drives are controlled through a simple user interface. The controller dynamically manages the sequencing of operations, alternating between cap and decap functions with each button press. This dynamic automation provides array-level productivity with minimal user input, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple control buttons and operations are required, then operational precision is maintained, but ease of operation decreases due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The controller incorporates feedback mechanisms to ensure precise operation with minimal user input. The motorized drives are controlled through a single button that triggers pre-programmed sequences. The system monitors and controls the rotation and linear movement to achieve precise cap engagement and ejection. This feedback-controlled automation maintains manufacturing precision while dramatically simplifying the user interface to a single button operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with motorized drives and control sequences that are prepared in advance. The rotary and linear drives are pre-positioned and pre-programmed to perform the exact motions needed for precise capping and decapping. This preliminary preparation of the automated system allows a single button press to execute precise operations without requiring the user to manually control each movement, thereby maintaining precision while maximizing ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a hand-held capper/decapper device, cap drivers in an array are driven by an array of rotary motors that drive the cap drivers in forward and reverse rotary directions to cap and decap caps from threaded receptacles. A common linear drive drives ejector pins through the centers of cap drivers to eject caps from the cap drivers. Single button operation is enabled by a controller that responds to press and release of a control button to alternate between decap and cap functions. The cap function finishes with ejection by extension of an ejector pin. An ejector button may also be provided for ejection without rotation of cap drivers. The cap drivers float against compression springs that apply axial force to the cap drivers. Ejection of the caps is staggered to reduce force required. Replaceable cap drivers designed to corresponded to cap designs are supported in a removable cartridge that is retained on a hand-held housing by magnets.