Capture Assembly With Auto-Alignment for Slip-Free Plate Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample analyzers face challenges in securely aligning and rotating multiwell plates at high velocities without slippage, which affects the reliable detection of analytes during optical analysis, requiring improved mechanisms for secure mounting and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A capture assembly with a clamp mechanism and drive shaft that automatically aligns and secures a planar substrate, preventing slippage by engaging the substrate's bottom surface with a hub and reversibly clamping it to ensure reliable detection by the optical assembly during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multiwell plate is rotated at high rotational velocity for optical analysis, then the analysis speed and productivity are improved, but the plate may slip during starting, stopping and rotation, compromising measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is activated before rotation begins to secure the plate to the drive shaft. The clamping portion engages with the plate's rim and applies radial clamping force in advance, preventing slippage during the critical starting and stopping phases when centrifugal forces are highest.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft acts as an intermediary between the motor and the multiwell plate. It provides a rigid mechanical connection that transfers rotational motion while the clamp mechanism mediates the connection between the drive shaft and plate, ensuring secure attachment during high-speed rotation.
2Measurement precision
If a complex manual alignment process is used to position the plate with the optical assembly, then alignment precision is improved, but the operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-aligning features where the multiwell plate automatically positions itself relative to the optical assembly during loading. The plate's geometric features interact with corresponding features in the capture assembly to achieve precise alignment without requiring manual adjustment by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical alignment operations are replaced with an automated capture assembly that mechanically secures and positions the plate. The system uses mechanical features such as guide rails, positioning pins, and automated clamping to eliminate the need for manual manipulation and alignment by the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a capture assembly optionally for use in an automated sample analyzer. The sample analyzer includes an optical assembly for scanning a sample well of a planar substrate, e.g., a multiwell plate that is loaded onto and secured to the capture assembly to perform an assay, e.g., detection of an analyte in the sample. The capture assembly automatically aligns the planar substrate about a rotational axis of a drive shaft and secures the substrate to the drive shaft to prevent unwanted movement or slippage of the substrate during starting, stopping and rotation of the substrate at varying rotational velocities thereby ensuring the sample well is reliably detected by the optical assembly.