Circular Object Centering with Rotating Pin Realignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for centering circular objects like petri dishes are prone to inaccuracies due to friction issues, leading to improper alignment and potential operational failures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a rotatable platform with equidistantly positioned pins, where the pins are moved towards and away from the object to allow for precise centering through controlled rotation, ensuring at least two pins contact the object, followed by a 60-degree rotation and final pin alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pins are moved toward the circular object to center it, then centering action is applied, but friction between pins and object prevents accurate alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering accuracyVSAvoidfriction interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lid from the petri dish to extract the interfering element (lid friction) that prevents accurate centering. By taking out the lid, the pins can directly contact the circular edge of the petri dish without frictional interference, enabling precise centering alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to overcome friction by applying greater force, the patent inverts the approach by removing the source of friction (the lid) entirely. This allows the pin-object contact to occur at the optimal interface (circular edge) without the harmful frictional effect of the lid surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the lid remains on the petri dish during pin contact, then the object is protected, but the pins cannot accurately contact the object for centering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject protectionVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the preliminary action of removing the lid before the centering operation begins. This preliminary removal ensures that when the pins are subsequently moved to contact the petri dish, they can do so accurately at the circular edge without interference from the lid, enabling precise alignment before any other operations occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260042990A1Systems and methods for centering a circular object

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 BD KIESTRA BV

AI summary

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for centering a circular object, such as a petri dish, between a plurality of pins. For example, in one embodiment, a method comprises placing a circular object on a rotatable platform surrounded by three moveable pins. In order to roughly center the circular object, the method further comprises moving, for a first time, all of the pins toward the circular object until at least two out of the three pins are touching the circular object. In order to more accurately center the circular object, the method further comprises: moving all of the pins away from the circular object so that it can be rotated without substantial inference; rotating the platform approximately 60 degrees, wherein rotating the platform causes the circular object to also rotate by approximately 60 degrees; and moving, for a second time, all of the pins toward the circular object.