Automatic Cell Detachment Device with Replaceable Scraper Chuck

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic cell detachment devices require manual replacement of scrapers, leading to potential contamination and inefficiency in cell cultivation processes.

Innovation Solution

An automatic cell detachment device with a chuck mechanism that pinches and releases scrapers, allowing for automatic replacement, combined with a moving mechanism to switch between used and new scrapers, and a rotating mechanism to ensure complete cell detachment from the culture vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a scraper is integrally provided on the distal end of the arm, then the scraper can be used for cell detachment, but the scraper cannot be replaced automatically requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic scraper replacementVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper is separated from the arm structure and held independently by the chuck mechanism. This segmentation allows the scraper to be replaced independently without replacing the entire arm, enabling automatic replacement while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chuck is introduced as an intermediary component between the arm and the scraper. This mediator holds the scraper and enables automatic attachment and detachment, resolving the contradiction between automation and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual replacement of the scraper is required, then the arm structure can remain simple, but contamination risk increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs scraper replacement automatically without human intervention. The chuck mechanism self-regulates the attachment and detachment of scrapers, eliminating the need for manual operation and thereby preventing contamination while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the chuck moves between holding stand and placing board, then automatic scraper replacement is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell detachment efficiencyVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chuck serves multiple functions: holding the scraper during movement, positioning it for cell detachment, and releasing it for replacement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, balancing productivity improvement with acceptable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2930233B1Device for automatically peeling cells and system for peeling cells

Publication Date: 2020.02.05 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK

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AI summary

An automatic cell detachment device (5) includes: a placing board (51), to which a culture vessel (10) is to be fixed; a scraper (9) for scraping away cells adhering to an inner bottom surface of the culture vessel (10); and a chuck (8) including a pair of claws (81) configured to pinch an upper part of the scraper (9). The chuck (8) is lifted and lowered by a lifting/lowering mechanism, and is moved by a moving mechanism between the placing board (51) and a holding stand (53). The holding stand (53) holds replacement scrapers (9) in a state where an upper part of each replacement scraper (9) is exposed.