Compact Robotic Pipette Head Design for Microplate Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current robotic pipettors have pipette heads that are larger than 9 mm wide, require tools for replacement, and lack integrated dispense drives, making them inefficient for use with microplates on 9 mm spacing.

Innovation Solution

A robotic pipettor with a pipette head less than or equal to 9 mm wide, designed to be customer replaceable without tools, and equipped with all mechanical components for the dispense drive and tip coupling mechanism, including a latch and electrical connection for easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pipette heads are made larger than 9 mm wide, then they can accommodate integrated dispense drives and tip coupling mechanisms, but they cannot nest on 9 mm spacing microplates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of dispense driveVSAvoidwidth of pipette head

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipetting system is divided into separate modular components: the pipette head (less than 9 mm wide) and the dispense drive mechanism are separated, allowing the head to nest on 9 mm spacing while the dispense drive is positioned remotely or integrated into the channel assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispense drive mechanism is repositioned from a lateral integration approach to a remote mounting configuration, utilizing the vertical or longitudinal dimension rather than horizontal space, enabling compact head design while maintaining full dispense functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If pipette heads require tools for replacement, then connection stability is improved, but service time and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidhead replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pipette head incorporates a self-latching mechanism with a release button that enables users to attach and detach heads using only hand force, eliminating the need for external tools while maintaining secure connection during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism transitions from a static tool-secured design to a dynamic self-latching system with an actuated release button, allowing the connection state to change easily between locked and unlocked positions for rapid head replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If multiple pipette channels are mounted on 9 mm spacing, then microplate compatibility is improved, but the motor size for each axis becomes too large to nest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing between channelsVSAvoidmotor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single compact motor is designed to drive multiple pipetting axes through a common drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors for each axis and enabling 9 mm spacing compatibility while maintaining full multi-axis functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250052776A1Pipetting Device with a Removable Head

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 HAMILTON CO

AI summary

A robotic pipettor with pipette heads that are less than 9 mm wide, contain the mechanical components for the dispense drive and tip coupling mechanism, and are designed such that a user can replace the heads without tools.