Reusable Comb Transfer Structure for Pipette Tip Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipette tip magazines are used only once and then disposed of, leading to high material consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a comb structure and inner teeth that can be reused, allowing a pipette carrier to be introduced into a pipetting apparatus, reducing material waste by reusing the device instead of the entire magazine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional pipette tip magazines are used, then pipette tips can be supplied to the pipetting apparatus, but the entire magazine must be disposed of after single use, leading to high material consumption and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the magazine into two functional parts: a reusable transfer device and a disposable pipette carrier. The transfer device contains the comb structure with teeth that interface with the sealing plate, while the pipette carrier holds the pipette tips. This segmentation allows the transfer device to be reused multiple times, reducing material consumption, while the pipette carrier is discarded after single use to maintain sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device acts as an intermediary between the pipette carrier and the pipetting apparatus. It includes a comb structure with teeth that engage with the sealing plate of the pipetting apparatus, enabling reliable sealing and force transmission without requiring the entire magazine to be disposable.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire magazine is made reusable, then material costs are reduced, but the complexity of ensuring consistent sealing and accommodating manufacturing tolerances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different durability characteristics to different parts: the transfer device (with comb structure) is made durable and reusable, while the pipette carrier is designed as disposable. This local differentiation of quality allows cost efficiency through reuse of the complex transfer device, while avoiding the need to make the entire magazine reusable which would increase overall structural complexity.
3Loss of substance
If a reusable transfer device is used, then material waste is reduced, but the device must compensate for manufacturing tolerances to ensure proper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The comb structure teeth are designed with a specific geometry that allows them to flex and adapt to manufacturing tolerances. The teeth can deform elastically to compensate for variations in the sealing plate dimensions, ensuring reliable sealing while using a reusable transfer device that reduces material waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device for inserting a pipette carrier into a pipetting apparatus that includes a comb structure having an elongated base and a plurality of teeth arranged perpendicularly thereto, wherein the teeth are arranged parallel and equidistantly relative to one another and comprise two outer teeth and a plurality of inner teeth arranged between the outer teeth, wherein the elongated base and the two outer teeth are embodied in the form of a three sided frame, wherein the comb structure has an upper side and a lower side, wherein the inner teeth are reduced in height on the lower side in such a manner that a height of the inner teeth becomes progressively smaller from the elongated base to an elongated base far end of the inner teeth.